Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

I am not long home from the Year 6 challenge day and sleepover.  It was a very well organised event held at school and I am certain that Year 6 students thoroughly enjoyed it.  Thank you to the teachers for their wonderful support.  I very much appreciate them for giving up the first part of their weekends and families to make this event successful.

The children had a day filled with challenges - much like the Survivor show on television, albeit without the tribal council.  Seven different tribes competed for points across the day and into the night.  Subway for dinner, more activities, a movie and then it was off to bed where we fell straight to sleep - for about 5 minutes - then the boys competed with their teachers to see who could stay awake longest.  Let's call it a tie.  I watched the dawn sky lighten when I briefly debated getting the boys up for some early fitness activities.  It was but a brief notion as I was well and truly ready for a few minutes of rest before starting the BBQ for breakfast.

I will show the gallery of memories in the next newsletter issue.

Covid plans still matter

We are and have been very fortunate in Queensland with regard to coronavirus outbreaks.  We have had over 1000 cases statewide since early this year and we have enjoyed more freedoms than our southern state neighbours.  We have dodged a number of potential bullets - but so had South Australia.  It had been covid free for a period similar to Queensland.  It held the State of Origin match - albeit with reduced attendance numbers.  Two weeks later, it was in complete lock down for a week.  Last Wednesday evening, Queensland hosted the State of Origin with a crowd of 50 000 - the largest crowd world-wide since the pandemic started I believe.  What happens to us in two weeks matters to me greatly.

Among other things, I am required to manage our school covid plan.  I am acutely aware that I have more than 10 vulnerable students and six vulnerable staff who attend school each day.  I am also aware of the numerous others who care for vulnerable people at home.  The decisions that are made impact on these people and sometimes the needs of the few outweigh the desires of the many.  

I have been asked by a number of families for them to be able to access some of the school events that remain this year.  The short answer is that we will be maintaining our covid restriction levels for the remainder of this school year.  As I indicated last issue, I expect that we will be welcoming families back into the school from next year so long as we remain healthy as a community.  But for the reaminder of the 2020 year, parents will be able to access some events but numbers will be at the discretion of the school as we balance the covid plan and event possibilities.  

We will be using external venues for some of our events as well.  By agreeing to hire the facility, we accept the level of restriction they have in place.  This includes our swimming fun days and Year 6 graduation dinner and disco.

Futsal team competes strongly

Although in its first year, our Elite Sports Program is absolutely booming.  With limited opportunities for competition, our teams have performed brilliantly well each and every time thay have run onto the field or court.  This week our futsal team competed at the PSSC competition winning three of their four matches.  More significantly, they represented our school amazingly well.  Thank you to Mr Burrows and Mr Meijboom for their commitment to the team. 

We have another futsal competition against Foxwell SSC before school finishes for summer vacation.  

Semester 2 report cards

We will email report cards home to families on Tuesday 8 December.  

Awards assemblies

We are holding individual assemblies for our annual awards this year.  The assemblies will be held in the school hall.  We will be inviting one parent of each family to attend. We will also inform families of award winners before the event.  This is because we are limited to one person for each 2m2 and with 180 students and their teachers, our covid plan limits of the hall area are quickly reached.   

Year 6 graduation has 2 separate parts

PART 1:  Graduation dinner / disco

The Year 6 graduation this year is different to previous years.  We have introduced a dinner and disco for students, held at the Southport Sharks on Tuesday 24 November.  It is similar to a secondary school formal in that there is a sit-down dinner with multiple courses.  Then there will be a couple of addresses to celebrate the year and we will conclude the evening with a disco.  I am told that I am not allowed to pick the music.

Parents can drop off and collect but are not able to come inside the venue.  There is an option for parents to book a table at Sharks while they wait for the children who will be dining at the Shark's Events Centre.  I have been informed that police will also be using the venue so please be aware of social distancing etc.

PART 2:  Year 6 Graduation assembly

The Year 6 annual awards will be announced and presented at the awards assembly the following week.  At this stage, one parent from each family can attend.   

Colour explosion

The colour explosion is next Friday.  Thank you to everyone who has joined.  It will be a lot of fun and a great way to celebrate the year.  Unfortunately it will be a students only event.  I have consulted colleagues across other primary schools in the Gold Coast area and none with whom I have spoken have relaxed their access restrictions to this point.  Most are live streaming end of year events

Yearbook

I saw the final draft of the 2020 Yearbook yesterday before it goes to print.  I think it does an amazing job of capturing the year that was.  I am sure that those who collect the Yearbook will be very happy indeed.

Special extra holidays for schools this year

Please remember that school finishes for 2020 on Wednesday 9 December at 2:30pm.  

Important dates

We will keep making necessary adjustments to this calendar of events as we finalise our plans the conclusion of the 2020 school year.   Please check this list each week and add the pertinent information to your fridge calendars.  

Kind regards

Vic