PRINCIPAL'S REPORT:
Dear Parents/Guardians
Welcome back to the new school year. I sincerely hope that all members of our school community have had the opportunity to spend some quality time with family and friends over the summer break.
A special welcome to our new students and families from Grade 7 and those who have joined us across other grades. It was lovely meeting so many families at enrolment interviews or through the transition meetings.
We also welcome the following new staff:
- Mr Taylor Whitford - Grade 7 Team
- Mrs Storm Pooley - Grade 8 Team
- Mrs Megan Pel - Grade 8 Team
- Ms Jess Crawford - Grade 7 Team
- Mr Nic Parker - Grade 10 Team
- Mrs Joh Breen - Grade 10 Team
- Mrs Amy Jansen - Support Teacher and Grade 8 Team
- Mr Chris Murray - Grade 7 Team
- Mrs Kate Hume - AST Grade 7
- Mrs Naomi Wilkinson - Lab Tech/Digital Fab
- Mr Brandon Chell - Teacher Assistant
- Mr Bowen Pearce - Teacher Assistant
- Mrs Julia Chapman - Teacher Assistant
- Mrs Vendula Mottlova - Canteen
- Ms Lyn Iles - Education Facility Attendant
- Mrs Nicole Madden - returning Teacher Assistant
Welcome back also to Mr James Guy and Ms Mel Hudson.
We have had a very settled start to the term already with students being organised and prepared for learning with all their books and stationery ready and looking amazing in their uniforms. Thank you to all our families for their support with these things and well done to all the students for showing a commitment to learning straight away. On Wednesday I spoke to all the students about our high expectations around uniform, behaviour and most importantly learning. Having a clear understanding of these expectations for themselves, their family expectations and those that the school expects was part of the thinking I encouraged all to do. Please continue these conversations with your child about their goals, expectations and aspirations over the coming weeks.
We have a beautiful environment in which to work and learn and the team of facility attendants and our admin staff have ensured that our school is looking spick and span at this time of the year. Thank you also to our staff for the extra hours you have already put in ensuring timetables are ready, units planned and materials prepared. The Canvas platform will continue to be the main place for students to access their curriculum units and all students can access at home and collaborate and show families what they are working on in different learning areas.
Your child's Class Teacher will be making contact with you over the next 2-3 weeks as a courtesy to communicate how your child has settled into the year but please do not hesitate to contact via the office or email if you have any questions or queries.
Routine Reminders:
I always like to remind families at this time of the year a few things that will assist your child at school and assist us to ensure we are providing the best education and care whilst they are with us.
Attendance
It is imperative for good learning outcomes that students attend school every day. What may seem harmless can have a cumulative effect that significantly hampers learning. We acknowledge that students are not always well and able to attend school and thank families for communicating this to our administration team as soon as possible. This can be done via a phone call, message or through the Schoolzine App. Attendance at school is a legal requirement and we have to follow this up accordingly following process and protocols as outlined in the Education Act. Mrs Debbie Rigby in the admin team has the responsibility of following up on non- attendance and will make calls home to ascertain why students are away. We thank families in advance for your polite co-operation.
Drop off and Pick up
The school car parks are very congested places both in the morning and after school especially with spaces being limited. We have many school buses entering and leaving the grounds both of a morning and afternoon and they need to be able to safely navigate in and out of the school. Another polite request is for families to try to refrain from dropping off and picking up in the bus turning circles before and after school. Your co-operation with this is much appreciated.
Some of the Metro bus routes have changed and these changes have been communicated to families last year and again this year. Please follow the link below if you have missed this information.
https://www.metrotas.com.au/schools/kings-meadows-high-school-2020/
Healthy Habits
A reminder to all students and families that we encourage the wearing of hats in our playground at breaks and in HPE lessons to be sun smart and all our grade offices have sunscreen available for student use.
We have water hydration stations in the school for students to either drink hygienically from and/or fill up their drink bottles. Keeping hydrated in hot weather is very important.
Sleep is vital for healthy brain development and activity and at this time of the year, when school resumes, it is important to get a good night’s rest. Please support and encourage your child to turn off devices and retire at a reasonable hour as they start the new school year.
Validation Forms
Validation forms were sent home last Friday and it is imperative that we have the most accurate information on our systems, especially contact details. If you have not edited and returned these forms can I ask that you do as soon as possible. Grade 7 and 8 students will need these forms signed and returned before their iPads can be issued.
There are other reminders on your child’s individual Welcome Letter that will be received this week.
Mobile Phone Policy – “Off and Away”
All families would have received in their validation information pack a copy of the DoE New Mobile Phone Policy – “Off and Away”. I would like to congratulate all students for the way they have respectfully complied with this new policy. It was explained in detail to them on many occasions last week.
In brief, students can check their mobile phones at recess and lunch time but at all other times during the school day they MUST be locked in their locker. We provide all students with a very secure locker and lock in which to safely keep belongings. The policy has been written and mandated by the Department of Education not the school and we are required to adhere to this by law.
If parents or families needed to contact students during the school day then this can be done through the main office by phoning 6343 1000.
There are exemptions and students can apply for an exemption card if they have, for example, a medical or learning support reason for needing their phones. Grade teams have these application forms or they are available at the office. As per the policy these exemptions must be approved by the principal.
I thank you in supporting the role out of this new policy.
Welcome Barbeque
I would like to extend a very warm invitation to all new families to our school to attend a Welcome BBQ on Monday 17th February. We will have many staff available to meet and greet you and enable you to put names to faces during this evening. The evening will run from 5.00pm to 6.30pm.
If you are unable to attend, I still encourage you to make regular contact with your child’s teachers to ensure we continue to develop a strong partnership in supporting the education of your child.