Filter Content
Dear Families and Students
This is our final week of Term 2. After what has been a very pointy, complex and challenging term for us all, we sincerely wish you all a relaxed, healthy and happy break together. The first day of Term 3 for students will be Tuesday the 21st of July, following a student free day on Monday the 20th of July.
Please find the attached letter to today’s newsletter from Jeremy Rockcliffe (Minister for Education and Training) and Tim Bullard (Secretary of Education). This will provide some additional information in regard to Term 3 changes.
A brief written report will go home with each child (P-6) on Friday.
Term 3 Changes
Families can come back into school from the beginning of Term 3. Current information suggests families will be able to re-enter rooms to drop students in the morning, but will be unable to stay for extended periods of time. Parents dropping off children will be asked to adhere to the 1.5 metre distancing requirements. Families are asked not to remain on site once drop off has been completed. Parents, family members or volunteers needing to stay more than a few minutes, will be required to sign in and complete a safety screening form at the front office before entering school premises.
For end of day pick up procedures in the early weeks of Term 3, we encourage families to still pick up from outside the school gates, but this is not mandated. Families will not need to access zones for drop off or pick ups in Term 3. However, as we know many families have appreciated a safe ‘drop and go’ zone – the White Zone in William Street will still be supported with a staff member from 8:30am each morning so children can be dropped off safely without a family member needing to exit the car if families would like to access this option.
All current hygiene practices (regular handwashing etc.) will remain in place for the beginning of Term 3. Students will still be unable to share food (birthday cupcakes etc.) or bring toys into school until further notice. Students will still be asked to stay home if experiencing cold or flu like symptoms.
Riverlands and Robyn McKinnon
Riverlands have very generously donated funds to further support our community as we evolve from the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, many members of our community (adults and children) have experienced a range of emotions, including anxiety, frustration, uncertainty, anger and grief; caused by COVID, isolation, or from other personal factors. Through the generosity of Riverlands, we have been able to secure the amazing Robyn McKinnon to work with staff and families. If you are interested in taking part in an informal session where you can hear and learn about some personal strategies to cope with big emotions, I encourage you to attend one of Robyn’s session in Week 3 or Term 3. RSVP will be required and is due by the 31st of July by calling the school office. Community members are welcome.
When: 3rd of August at 9:00am or the 7th of August at 1:45pm in the School Boardroom.
LiL and Pre-Kinder
Launching into Learning and Pre-Kinder Sessions will start again from Week 2 of Term 3. We are excited to offer a range of programs from Week 2, on a Monday and Tuesday. We would like to welcome a new staff member to our LiL Team in Term 3 – Miss Roxy Walls. More information in regard to programs will be made available in Week 1 of Term 3. Please also keep an eye on our School Facebook and LiL Facebook pages over coming weeks for updated information.
5/6 Sport
5/6 Sport will resume in Term 3. Further information will be provided prior to commencement.
Safety Screening Requirements
If it is necessary to enter the school throughout the learning day, we ask that all families and visitors continue to enter the school from the front entrance and sign in at the school office. People coming onsite will be required to sign safety screening forms on entry.
School Association AGM and General Meeting
Our meeting will be held on Tuesday the 28th of July at 9:15am in the new Boardroom. Members will be required to sign in to the office on arrival.
Breakfast Club
We would appreciate as many families competing our Breakfast Club survey attached to our Facebook page as possible. Responses will guide our future Breakfast Club changes. For the first two weeks of Term 3, Breakfast Club will continue to be delivered via the ‘Grab and Go packs’. Link attached: https://bit.ly/2CUu4u7
Assemblies
Due to current restrictions we are looking at changing how our Assemblies operate now and into the future (including end of year assemblies and presentation events). An interest group will be formed to review and suggest future recommendations for the School Association to consider. If this is an area of interest for you, or you have some thoughts and opinions to share, I would appreciate you joining me for an initial discussion on Tuesday the 28th of July at 2:00pm in the new Boardroom (sign in at the office required on entry). Community members welcome.
Staff Changes
We sincerely thank Renee Harvey for her work at Longford Primary School this term. Thanks also to Maureen Ridge and Nori Taurian for their ongoing support in Term 2. We look forward to welcoming back Rhiannon Morrison and Jeanette Reader in Term 3.
Thank You Longford Rotary Club
Again I wish to thank the amazing Longford Community for your incredible support this term. I would also like to sincerely thank Longford Rotary for working alongside our school for the Soup initiative project this term – it has been incredibly well received and appreciated by over 50 families per week. A wonderful initiative that has shown the value of true community spirit. See letter from Imogen below.
Carolyn Sutton
Principal
Last Friday students were presented with Courage Awards. Well done and congratulations!
P/1 Crawford/Viney | Brae-Lee / Phoebe |
P/1 Kearns | Lachlan / Mia |
P/1 Roberts | Jhett / Ruby |
1/2 Brady | Malaki / Zeke |
2 Morrison/Doran | Ruby G / Ruby Z |
3 Owen | Riley / William |
4/5 Farran/Duncan | Amira / Madison |
5/6 Nobes | Annabell / Bill |
5/6 Spangaro | Emily / Tyrese |
Free Dress Friday
Our school is looking at purchasing swings for the Early Childhood playground. On Friday we will be having a Free Dress Day to help raise money for the swings. Wear your comfy clothes and bring a gold coin donation per family and help us get our swings quicker!
Term 3 Care Project
The SRC had a visit from Aimee and Charlotte Morgan and the girls spoke to us all about a book where people in Africa gave their spare water to families that had none. Their proposal was that we collect food, surplus new clothing and toys that we can then donate to families that are finding it difficult after the Covid-19 period.
The SRC were so impressed with the idea and agreed that they would love to take part. So starting next term look out for a box in your classroom to collect:
- Longlife foods such as: canned items, pasta, rice and pasta sauce (it doesn’t matter as long as it will last)
- New clothes
- New toys or craft items
The SRC will connect with an organisation such as The Helping Hand to ensure that our items are distributed to those in need in our community and thanks to Charlotte and Aimee for bringing such a great idea to our attention.
Our school lunch ordering, provided by JJ's Bakery, will be available on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday starting Week 1 of Term 3.
In Term 3 I will be running a Growth and Personal Development unit at Longford Primary School. Class groups will attend over several weeks.
The table below outlines the content that will be covered for each level.
Prep-2 (2 lessons) |
Year 3-4 (3-4 lessons) |
Year 5-6 (3-4 lessons) |
Protective behaviours, public and private Growing up - How I have changed since I was a baby Our families and who we can talk to about our worries |
Growing up – introduction to puberty Simple information around reproduction Friendships, boundaries and influences |
Puberty – physical, social and emotional changes Simple information around reproduction Influences, boundaries and healthy relationships |
To provide more detailed information to families and give them the opportunity to ask questions I will be available to speak to at 9:00am and again at 2:20pm on Wednesday the 22nd of July in the board room. I look forward to seeing you there. If you cannot make it at one of these times and would like to know more, please contact the school office to arrange a more suitable time either in person or on the phone.
If you do not wish for your child to participate in these lessons please contact your child’s teacher.
Chanelle McCormack
School Health Nurse
As a way for students to celebrate attending school on their birthday they have the opportunity to ring the morning bell.
Midlands Rural & Remote Child Care Services
Unfortunately due to low utilisation, financial viability and COVID-19 we have made the difficult decision to suspend our After School Care program at Longford Primary School. We have suspended for a 12 month period but have made the commitment to review in 6 months in the hope that we are able to gain more enrolments to be able to continue the Service in February 2021. We will send out a survey at the beginning of Term 4 to gain families interests and commitment to the Service.
Kate Lee
Childcare Director
Northern Midlands Council
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 |