AN IMPORTANT REMINDER TO FAMILIES
We kindly remind members of our community to not enter the school grounds before or after school hours or on weekends. There have been some examples recently where our Department-employed Security Team have informed us that students, families and members of the general public have been on school property outside school hours. Given the current climate and the restrictions in place to manage COVID-19, the only people allowed on site (as per signage) are school staff and school-employed contractors. If you notice any suspicious activity or people on school property who should not be there, please report it to the Police on 000. Thank you for your understanding.
A Message From The Principal
The end of Week 8 – two more weeks until the end of term 3 (Friday 18th September). Once again, in this unprecedented time, we cannot thank our community enough for working with us to ensure we provide the best possible education and well-being support during this time. By working together we have kept our community connected.
DAN ANDREWS ANNOUNCEMENT – SUNDAY – It seems the whole of Victoria, if not Australia, are waiting with bated breath for the announcement by Dan Andrews on Sunday regarding Victoria’s Road Map to recovery. As I have strived to do this whole time, I will keep you as up to date as possible regarding how this impacts us here, at Bellaire Primary School.
CONGRATULATIONS MRS HELEN WESTON! – As I have announced earlier this week, I would like to take this time to congratulate Mrs Weston on her appointment as substantive Principal at Coburn Primary School. Mrs Weston has been an Assistant Principal at Bellaire Primary School for the past 11 years. She has been an integral part of the Bellaire Primary School community and she will be missed by all. As with many things at this time we are unable to give Mrs Weston the celebration she deserves, however as a staff we will be farewelling Mrs Weston on the last day of day of term – before she starts at her new role on day one next term – along with the School Council at our meeting next week.
LEARNING SPECIALISTS FOR 2021 – It has been a big week of staffing announcements at Bellaire PS! Along with Mrs Weston’s announcement, we also appointed our Learning Specialists for 2021. The Learning Specialists are part of our wider Leadership team and works closely with our teachers and Principal Team to improve teacher practice and impact on improving student learning outcomes. I am pleased to announce that our Learning Specialists for 2021 will be Ms Heather Grass and Mr Ryan Normington.
SUPERHERO DAY! – Yesterday we celebrated Superhero Day! It was fantastic to see so many Superheros running around. At Bellaire Primary School we would like to acknowledge and thank all of our real life Superheros – especially during this time of COVID-19. THANK YOU.
FATHER’S DAY – speaking of Superheros – we hope that all of our wonderful fathers have a very special day on Sunday.
R U OK? Day – R U OK? Day is on Thursday 10th September. Please see the attached resources regarding R U Ok? Day. This year, more than ever, it is important to take the time to ask – R U Ok?
SAMARTIAN HOUSE SUPPORT – This weekend is Father’s Day – a time when we normally celebrate on-site as a school community to celebrate the Dads, Grandfathers and special people in our lives.
For the past three years and as part of this celebration, as a community we have supported Samaritan House through our ‘You are My World’ event hosted by Bellaire Parents and supported by the JSC. I am pleased to announce that we will continue this support this year – remotely. Samaritan House still need our help, arguably more than ever to support their residents through these challenging times. This not-for-profit charity provided much needed food and overnight accommodation for those in our community sleeping rough.
Over the coming weeks until the 16 October, we are encouraging those in our community that are in a position to help to either make an item or financial donation. Every little bit counts and makes a genuine difference to the lives of homeless men in the Geelong community. Because we are unable to accept donations at school at the moment, Bellaire Parents have worked with Samaritan House to set up donation bins at the Highton and Belmont Bendigo Bank branches. Items in need this year include tinned goods, biscuits, tea, coffee, sugar and toiletries.
The Junior School Council had already been advertising and supporting this event, along with Mr Thomas’ fundraising, to form part of the school community’s contribution to Samaritan House this year and will continue to do so when we return to on-site learning. There will be more information on how to make financial and item donations on the Year Level Facebook Pages and in next week’s newsletter.
PREP and JUNIOR RESOURCE PACK PICK UP – we are having our very last Prep and Junior pack pick up for Term 3 on MONDAY 7th SEPTEMBER (next Monday) between 9.10am and 10am in the ‘Kiss and Drop’ Zone.
Take care everyone. We will be in touch after Sunday’s announcement. Have a wonderful Father’s Day with the special people in your life – in person or remotely.
Suzanne Prendergast
Principal
Whole School News
What: R U OK? Day
The message for R U OK? Day in 2020 is: ‘There’s more to say after R U OK?’
R U OK? Day is our national day of action when we remind Australians that every day is the day to ask, “Are you OK?” if someone in your world is struggling with life’s ups and downs.
When: R U OK? Day is next Thursday 10 September 2020
Why: Learn what to say after R U OK?
R U OK?’s mission is to inspire and empower us to meaningfully connect with people around us and support anyone that may be struggling.
2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and circumstances have made it even more important for us all to stay connected and, for those who are able, be willing to support those around us. By asking, listening without judgement, encouraging action and checking in, you can help someone you care about through a tough time.
If you feel like something’s not quite the same with someone you know – there’s something going on in their life or you notice a change in what they’re saying or doing – trust that gut instinct and take the time to ask them “Are you OK?” If someone says they’re not OK, make time to listen, encourage action and check in. That conversation could change, or even save, their life. Learn what to say
You don’t have to be an expert to keep the conversation going when someone says they’re not OK. By knowing what to say you can help someone feel supported and access appropriate help long before they’re in crisis, which can make a really positive difference to their life.
How: A Splash of Yellow
Bellaire Primary School are kindly asking staff, students and families to WEAR A SPLASH OF YELLOW next Thursday to help us draw attention to the importance of having these proactive and powerful conversations that support wellbeing.
The Captains’ Crusade
Each week our student leaders will share a post to the school community with a focus on maintaining connection and having fun. They are looking forward to presenting a new theme each week and involving the other student leaders within the school. Check out this week’s edition below…
Wellbeing
There are two helpful new resources to help you support your children during remote and flexible learning.
Raising Learners podcast
The Department of Education and Training has funded a 10-episode podcast series through the Raising Children Network called ‘Raising Learners’. It features parenting experts from organisations including the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Career Education Association Victoria, as well as the Australian eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant.
Raising Learners provides parents with practical advice, tips and ideas for supporting children’s health, wellbeing and engagement at school and at home. Topics include how to connect with your child’s school and community, how to best support your child’s learning, what to expect for VCE and VCAL students and how to keep your child safe online.
These topics were drawn from common questions that parents raised with the Department’s coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline and Parentline.
The first three episodes will be available on 1 September, and the rest throughout terms 3 and 4. Raising Learners can be accessed via podcast apps and Raising Children Network website.
Managing the Coronacoaster webinar
Renowned child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg is back by popular demand to repeat his Coronacoaster webinar.
On 15 September, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg will again present Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era. His first webinar in August booked out in three days, with more than 12,000 registrations.
In this webinar, Dr Carr-Gregg provides tools and strategies for parents and carers to help manage the lockdown period and remote learning. Topics include:
- your supportive role
- setting the emotional tone
- focusing on what you can control
- how to deal with disappointment
- more resources and where to get help.
Webinar details
When: 7.30pm, Tuesday 15 September
Duration: 45-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer session
Format: online via live stream
Cost: free
Register for the Managing the Coronacoaster webinar via Eventbrite
Ben Raidme
Assistant Principal
Community News
On behalf of the City of Greater Geelong School Crossings program, we are reaching out for your help to provide support to our school crossings supervisors. It has been a tough year for all and school crossings staff have felt an absence of the school community during this pandemic.
We are hoping that students could write an email letter or draw a picture to their local school crossings supervisors in hopes of raising their spirits. As the school holidays are fast approaching, the City of Greater Geelong would like to receive the email letters and drawings by the end of term, so they can give them to our school crossings supervisors for these upcoming holidays.
All letters and drawings will need to be sent via email to: wco@geelongcity.vic.gov.au by Wednesday 16th September. This will ensure the City of Greater Geelong has enough time to email them on to their staff.
We look forward to your help in supporting our school crossing supervisors.
OSHC
Team Kids School Holiday Program will be returning to Bellaire these school holidays. Contact Team Kids if you are interested in enrolling your child/ren in the program.
Library
Scholastic Book Club Issue 6 is now available for families to order from. Visit the Scholastic Book Club Website to view catalogues and order via Scholastic LOOP or the LOOP App, and your books will be delivered to the school free of charge, ready to collect in Term 4. To view the catalogue, click on this link: Book Club Catalogue
