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Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been wonderful watching our students return to school with such a positive and resilient mindset. Hearing laughter and seeing students smiling with their peers in classrooms and the playground has been fantastic. As our students transition back into a classroom learning environment we are so proud to see how much they have achieved in their time learning with you at home. We have been excited to see students have flourished with your support, guidance and love over the past few months. Thank you to each parent/carer or care giver for your tremendous work and support with learning over recent times – it has paid off, and we thank you sincerely! In coming weeks, teachers of P-6 will be writing a short report to give you some updates on learning goals for the remainder for the school year and share how your child is tracking against the expected outcomes at this time.
As mentioned in our last newsletter, we have a Wellbeing Support Team led by Mrs Mel Biffin that is accessible to all families if requested. If a member of your family is having difficulty adjusting to their return to the classroom, please reach out for some support.
In accordance with our Department Guideline, we continue to follow all protocols as directed; this includes a temporary hold on students bringing items from home into school. We ask that students do not bring toys, books or sports equipment into school. If your child has a note to share, this can be given to the Senior Staff member on the gate at arrival. Other communications between home and school can occur via Dojo between 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday.
I wish to thank all families for supporting us to keep our school and community safe by adhering to the 'Stop, Drop/Collect and Go' for all drop offs and pick ups. At this stage, we will continue to work with our zoned areas for all drop off and pick ups and follow our staggered finish times until further notice.
Physical Distancing in Schools during COVID-19
Public Health advice is clear – it is safe for schools to be open. This is because we have a low rate of Coronavirus (COVID-19) community spread in Tasmania and there has been increased and expanded testing. To reduce the risk even further, schools have hygiene and physical distancing measures in place.
While it is safe to send your child/ren to school, we still need adults to maintain a distance from other adults, whilst on site.
To help us with adult physical distancing, we are asking all parents/carers to:
- 'Stop, Drop/Collect and Go’ for all drop offs and pick ups. This means please remain in your car and we will direct your child/ren to your car.
- If you need to talk to your child’s teacher, please call the school office of contact them via Class Dojo.
We want to make school as safe as possible for everyone. Feel free to ask questions if you require any further information. These things won’t be forever, but we all have a shared responsibility to act in a way that supports everyone being safe.
More information is available on the Department of Education website: www.education.tas.gov.au
Chaplaincy Week
Last week was Chaplaincy Week and we would like to thank Bec for all she does in making a positive difference to our school community. School Chaplains have the support of local churches and local communities to be an additional resource to support for our students. Thank you!
Reconciliation Week
This week we celebrate National Reconciliation Week 2020 and in doing so I want to acknowledge and pay respect to Tasmanian Aboriginal people as the traditional and original owners of this land and acknowledge Tasmanian Aboriginal Elders past, present and emerging.
This year marks 20 years of shaping Australia’s journey towards a more just, equitable and reconciled nation. 2020 also marks the twentieth anniversary of the reconciliation walks of 2000, when people came together to show their support for a more reconciled Australia.
National Reconciliation Week is a time for all of us to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can join the national reconciliation effort.
Breakfast Club Survey
Soon we will be sending out a link to a survey in order to get your feedback on our School Breakfast Club. We encourage as much feedback as possible as we plan forward for Breakfast Club into Term 3.
School Association
Proposed School Association Meeting AGM and General Meeting is for the 28th July – AGM followed by General Meeting at 9:15am in the Board Room.
Carolyn Sutton
Principal
Longford Primary School is so thankful for the ongoing support of Longford Rotary. Over recent weeks Longford Rotary along with staff from LPS collaborated on the Longford Soup initiative. The purpose behind the initiative was to support families that might need a little additional help during these challenging times. Longford Rotary have also provided a Banjo's voucher for two loaves of bread for your family. Grades 5/6 Nobes and 5/6 Spangaro received their voucher yesterday. Vouchers to other classes will occur over the next two weeks.
The kindness and generosity of the Rotarians – and all involved in this initiative has truly demonstrated the unique and wonderful community that is Longford. In our first week of cooking soup, over 70 portions were delivered.
If you require additional support for your family at this time, please do not hesitate to contact the school and we can provide additional help where we can.
The weekly soup initiative will continue until the end of term.
All parents should have received a message or email inviting them to join their child’s Class Dojo account. Class Dojo connects teachers, students and parents to build amazing classroom communities. Our teachers will use Class Dojo to share learning celebrations and as a general communication tool. If you have not received an invitation, please contact school so we can organise another invitation.
As a way for students to celebrate attending school on their birthday we have started the 'Birthday Bell Ringers'.
Happy Birthday this week to Lily, Imogen and Aidan!
National Simultaneous Storytime
On Wednesday the 27th May our school joined schools across Australian in celebrating reading and children’s literature by sharing the light hearted picture book Chicken Divas. Students enjoyed hearing their teacher read or watching Jo and Lily Palmer present the story about two chooks called Whitney and Britney.
You may have noticed some changes around the swings?
People who play and work in this space have been seeing the potential for it to be a distinctive bush area, where abundant natural materials inspire and inform creative play. Imagine a layered tree canopy providing places of sun and shade where students can gather sticks, flowers and leaves. Large fallen logs are used as seats and balancing beams. When it's raining the spade edge fills with water. There is a mound to summit, grasses to brush past and tracks to forge through the mulch. Birds and insects provide the soundtrack and sweet scented kunzea and river mint fragrance the air.
What you will discover in this space?
4/5 Farran/Duncan
We shared a book called 'The Best Part of Me' and talked about our unique bodies and the parts we like best.
2020
Term 1 |
Tuesday 4th February Professional Learning/Student Free Day Wednesday 5th February to Thursday 9th April Thursday 9th April Moderation Day/Student Free Day Easter: Friday 10th April to Monday 13th April |
Term 2 |
Monday 27th April to Friday 3rd July |
Term 3 |
Monday 20th July to Friday 25th September Monday 20th July Professional Learning/Student Free Day |
Term 4 |
Monday 12th October to Thursday 17th December Friday 30th October Professional Learning/Student Free Day |
Leadership Staff
Principal | Mrs Carolyn Sutton |
AST | Miss Jacinta Doran |
AST | Mrs Jen Copeland |
AST | Mrs Mel Biffin |
Support Staff
Chaplain | Mrs Bec Cameron | Tuesday, Friday |
Psychologist | Mrs Allison Maloney | Tuesday |
School Nurse | Miss Chanelle McCormack | Alternate Wednesday/Friday |
Social Worker | Mrs Shelley Lawes | Thursday |
Speech Pathologist | Miss Carla Dinale | Monday, Tuesday |