Newsletter – Term 2, Week 1, 2021

Welcome back to Term 2! We hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday break and enjoyed some of the warm weather over the Easter weekend.

Every term is a busy one and like all terms we have lots happening this term. As well as the wonderful learning taking place in the classrooms we have – excursions to Scienceworks, Year 3 – 6 Athletics at Landy Field, District Cross Country, Winter Lightning Premiership, MLU Camp, NAPLAN (Year 3 & 5), reports go home and much more! Keep an eye on the ‘dates’ section of the newsletter and also updates on the Website and Seesaw as well as Facebook or Instagram (whichever social media platform you prefer to use).

This term we welcome parents back to our assemblies. Assemblies will take place in Week 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 this term. Please ensure you sign in using the QR code on the red gate as you enter.

Unfortunately, at this time the Department of Education Operation Guide still states there are density limits as soon as parents enter the school buildings. Students and staff do not count towards density limits, however once a parent or outside adult enters the building density limits apply for students, teachers and the adult/s. After much discussion we have worked out we will be unable to go ahead with parent helpers at this time. A new Operation Guide is due out in the next few weeks and this will hopefully allow us greater flexibility and the option to welcome parent helpers back into the classroom.

This year we wanted to give our Year 6 students as many opportunities as possible to grow their leadership skills. Apart from our School and House Captains and the Junior School Council Representatives we have also given the students the opportunity to be a –

YARD MENTOR – these students will be out in the yard on scheduled days and in scheduled areas of the yard. They are there to assist students in the yard. Their Roles and Responsibilities include –

• Assisting students to find friends to play with
• Tying up shoelaces
• Ensuring all equipment is being used appropriately
• Ensuring all equipment is returned at the end of play time
• If a child is hurt, but NOT bleeding, hurt badly or hit their head, comfort them and seek help from a yard duty teacher if required.
• If there are issues between students, but it is NOT PHYSICAL, you can attempt to mediate and resolve the situation. Seek teacher assistance if required.
• If you see any child being physical towards another, you MUST seek teacher assistance immediately.

 READING ASSISTANT – these students read with Year Prep – 2 students at lunch eating time or before school to assist the students with exposure to reading and listening to reading. Theses students have a roster of students they read with and do so under teacher supervision.

 PASSIVE PLAY ASSISTANT – these students assist in our Passive Play indoor space at recess and lunch times. Their roles and responsibilities include –

• Assisting students to find something that interests them to play with.
• Reminding students to pack up when they have finished with an activity.
• Assist the teachers to ensure the room is all packed up at the end of the session.
• Sort toys or equipment where necessary.
• Demonstrate to students how to play a certain game.
• Let the teacher know if there are any inappropriate behaviours occurring.

 We are proud of our Year 6 students and look forward to working with them in these roles.

All students have been trained in their roles by teachers.

This term we will be sending home mid-year reports as directed by the Department of Education. At Bellaire Primary School we strive to ensure we are reporting to parents in an on-going way. These include the parent / teacher interviews and the mid and end of year mandated reports. It also includes Seesaw Learning Reflection posts undertaken by the students twice a term. These posts are labelled as Learning Reflections and are a formal part of our reporting structure. We hope you enjoying seeing the continual learning occurring for your child.

The Attitudes to School Survey is conducted at the beginning of Term 2 each year to our Year 4-6 students only. Below is information from the Department of Education.

The AtoSS is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education and Training to assist your child’s school to gain an understanding of students’ perceptions and experience of school. Students will be asked about their thoughts and feelings in relation to their school, their learning, peer relationships and life in general. 

Your child will be invited to complete the survey online during class time using a purpose built secure online survey tool.  It is important to note that we are not in any way “testing” your child. Please note: 

Student participation in the survey is voluntary and students may withdraw at any time.

Participation in this survey is voluntary. If you do not wish for your child to do the survey, please opt out via school email Please do so before the 26th of April, stating that you wish to opt out of your child’s participation, along with their name and year level. 

In the coming weeks, parents of children in Years 3 and 5 will receive information regarding the NAPLAN Assessment Program, which will be taking place on Tuesday 11th – Thursday 13th May at school.  NAPLAN tests the skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar and Numeracy.  It is important to remember that NAPLAN is not about passing or failing, but about assessing learning progress. It is one test on one day, not a representation of all your child’s strengths and abilities.

Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or the Leadership Team if you have any questions at all about the NAPLAN Assessment Program.  Results for individual students will be sent home to families once they arrive at the school from the VCAA later in the year.

Our teachers have been working with students to ensure that they are prepared and confident for the NAPLAN Assessment and I am sure that all students participating will demonstrate their personal best.

During the ‘peak’ of COVID restrictions we encouraged toys not to be brought to school from home. As the restrictions ease we will allow students to bring toys from home however parents and students need to understand that the school is not responsible if these toys are broken or lost while being used outside. One thing we ask to not be sent along are the Bey Blade ‘gun’ releases. These can be dangerous when used incorrectly. Thank you for your support.

Principal

Thursday afternoon we had a very special guest speaker, Chris, come in to share his knowledge in the lead up to ANZAC Day. We asked lots of questions, looked at Chris’s medals, and even got to put on some important and special uniforms.
After this we read a book called Anzac Biscuits, and made a wreath to remember those that fought at war.
Lest We Forget 🌹

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