Newsletter – Term 2, Week 3, 2021

‘Paw’jama day! What a wonderful sight it was to see so many students and teachers involved in this day, run by our Junior School Council, in support of the Reading Dogs program throughout Victoria.

In early 2021, our school, along with thousands of others across the country will begin preparations for the fifth Australian Early Development Census (AEDC).
The AEDC gives us a national picture of the development, health and wellbeing of children in their first year of full-time school. Since 2009, the census results have helped communities, schools and governments plan services and develop better policies to target support for children and families.
Children don’t miss any class time, and parents/carers don’t need to supply schools with any new information for the census. The AEDC gives us data at a school and community level – it isn’t an assessment of individual children.
Some teachers have also noticed that completing the assessments made them more aware of the needs of individual children and the class as a whole and that the census results are useful in planning for transitions to Year 1 and developing class programs.
Participation in the AEDC is voluntary. Parents/carers don’t need to take any action unless they choose not to include their children in the census.
To find out more about the census and how communities are using the data to help children and families visit the AEDC website: www.aedc.gov.au.

Next week at school, children in Years 3 and 5 will undertake the NAPLAN Assessment Program, which will be taking place on Tuesday 11th, Wednesday 12th and 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 in the grand ‘scheme’ of schooling it is ‘one test on one day’. Although we want our students to achieve the best that they can, this test does not define who they are as a person or a learner.

Results for individual students will be sent home to families once they arrive at the school from the VCAA. Our expectation is that all students will participate in the NAPLAN Assessment Program and for those who are absent for any reason, we will endeavor to complete all assessments for individual students on Friday 14th May.

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.

Remember that NAPLAN is not about passing or failing, but about assessing learning progress.

Please see below for the COVIDSafe Measures for all at Bellaire Primary School.

Our guidelines continue to encourage schools to implement actions that will continue to reduce the congregation of adults in and around the school to minimise transmission risk in the community.

Parents are welcome back on site (outdoors and for assemblies) and for essential reasons only. Parents are permitted into school buildings if you have a pre-arranged appointment to see your child’s classroom teacher; this is to ensure that we continue to comply with indoor gathering limits.

We continue to appreciate the support of our parent community in respecting these guidelines.

When indoors, the wearing of face masks (when unable to safely distance), physical distancing and practising hand hygiene will all be measures that remain in place for all adult visitors on site and our staff.

To support contract tracing, we must continue to keep a record of all visitors who attend on site for more than 15 minutes.

Our advanced cleaning at school will also still take place for all of Term 2 and as always, we will continue to encourage regular hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer in the hope that we all remain healthy – students, staff and community.

A reminder to all parents and carers that supervision for our students begins from 8.45am each morning and we request that students arrive no earlier than this time unless they are already booked into before school care.

Friendly reminder to all families of students in Grade 6, that the Year 6 to Year 7 Transition forms are due back at school on Friday 14th May.

We are asking for volunteers to assist us in setting up and running the 2nd Hand Uniform Sale.

If you are able to assist, please contact the office and let us know of your availability.

Many thanks.

Beleza Uniform Shop Ryrie Street Geelong now have stock of our school rugby jumpers.

They are not available at the school shop.

As Mothers Day is approaching, Bellaire Parents are inviting all Mums and carers of our precious children to unite through colour, photos and where possible donating to a common cause, The Breast Cancer Foundation.

Have some fun and throw on something pink, take a cute snap of yourself with your gorgeous children and upload it to the Bellaire Families – In the Spirit of Kindness page. If you are not already connected to this page simply search and join!

If you can spare a small amount to donate to the Breast Cancer Foundation that would be great too! A dedicated link has been created to make this easy- https://fundraise.nbcf.org.au/fundraisers/BellaireParents
We are hopeful that our combined charitable contributions make a difference to all members of our community affected by breast cancer.

Whilst we cannot hold a connected event this year, we look forward to future opportunities to connect and celebrate with you all.

Wednesday saw the return of the Bellaire Athletics carnival in near perfect conditions. Congratulations to all the students who participated on the day and represented their house colour with pride. It was wonderful to watch every student giving it their all and hearing our students cheering so passionately for each other. I know that the Year 3 and 4 students are already looking forward to next year’s carnival.

A massive thank you to all the volunteer parent helpers. Without your help, the day simply could not go ahead. Thank you also to all the Bellaire staff who played their role and made sure the day ran smoothly. Special thanks to Miss Kymantas and Mr Thomas who assisted with set up and pack up.
The district level competition will be held in mid-August and more information will come to students who qualified nearer to this time.

Congratulations to Capree Jackman who competed at the State swimming championships. Capree won bronze in the Breaststroke event and narrowly missed a medal in the Backstroke finishing 4th. Congratulations on your incredible effort and all the hard work you put in leading up to the event.

Last week, 60 Bellaire students competed at the District Cross Country on the Torquay Foreshore. It was a challenging course including sand and stairs, but all the competitors managed the terrain. 3 students finished in the top 6 of their age category and will progress to the Division event held at Eastern Gardens. Congratulations to Bianca Cropley, Alice Ashby and Isabella Blood on progressing to the next level. Well done to all the students who competed.

The Year 5 and 6 students have begun to prepare for the Winter Lightning Premiership event on Friday 28th May. The Senior students will compete in one of the following events on the day:
AFL- South Barwon Reserve
Soccer- Myers Reserve
Netball- Kardinia Park
Volleyball- Torquay College
Softball- Banyul Warri Field.
The Senior team are looking for parent helpers to assist on the day. If you can assist, please contact your child’s home group teacher.

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