Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

I am getting back into the swing of school life once more after enjoying a wonderful long service leave break across the first three weeks of this term.  Thank you sincerely to my Deputies for replacing me so capably and to the team of staff who acted as Deputies across this time as well.  I returned to a school in full swing and great spirits.

Conversations with students

From time to time I am asked by parents that they be present when staff speak with their child regarding an incident that may have happened at school.  Unfortunately, this is usually not possible for a range of reasons, both for privacy and timeliness.  It is important to know that conversations with students are treated as teaching opportunities.  Our focus remains on their well-being, their social learning and modelling respect.  We treat students as we would like our own children to be treated by their schools.  

We will always contact families for serious or extreme matters once we have determined what we believe to be the 'reality' of the situation (based on balance of probabilities).  We will usually phone parents in the first instance then arrange a follow up meeting if required.  It is also important to know that we remain non-judgemental in these instances.  

Our staff is incredible!

The number of activities that are on offer to our children before, during and after school is wonderful to see.  While our bands and strings groups have been preparing for a month of Eisteddfods, the Lego Club is up and running, the senior students are training for sport, Year 6 students played the staff in netball and running club is giving everyone the chance to get fitter.  Remember that everyone can join in with our running club.  Thank you sincerely to all of our staff who continue to contribute to our students.

Student protection

Like all parents, I was horrified with a news report this week of a case of someone being charged with over 1000 offences against children.  Our school, OSHC and P&C place student protection at the very top of our concern and complete a range of actions to increase the likelihood that this is maintained.  

• All staff undertake student protection training each year
• All school staff have criminal history checks completed
• All staff know how to report concerns regarding student protection
• All staff complete or update their first aid training each year
• All visitors to the school must comply with Blue Card requirements.  We have an officer at school who manages and monitors this.
• All children are offered personal safety education each year.  They learn about their bodies, touching (both good and inappropriate) and harm.  This extends into puberty and sex education in senior classes as well.  

There is no single strategy that prevents harm to children but when we build a culture of safety around our children, the likelihood of harm is reduced significantly.  

Should you have any safety concerns for your children, please contact the school.

School uniform blitz starts from Monday

Our school community developed the Student Dress Code when the school opened and each year, the standard is reviewed by both the School Council and the P&C.  Our students are required to follow the Student Dress Code each day and at enrolment, parents signed to agree that they would ensure that their children will wear correct and complete uniform each school day.  

Our weekly focus will be:

• Week 5 - Jewellery and hair
• Week 6 - Correct socks
• Week 7 - Correct shoes
• Week 8 - Hats

Jewellery and hair

Hair

Hair that touches the shoulders (or longer) needs to be worn back. 

• Girls need to use navy only OR navy & lime ribbons, bands etc. 
• Boys with long hair need it worn pulled back using hair colour bands.  This includes mullet style hair.

Contact your Deputy Principal if you would like special consideration made for your child

Year 4 camp

The Year 4 staff are putting the final touches to the camp to Tallebudgera next week.  I am sure that everyone will have an amazing time.  

AB Paterson public speaking competition

Year 4,5 and 6 students will be able to participate at the AB Paterson College public speaking competition.  I will send home notes with interested students next week.

Have you changed address?

Have you changed address this year?  Perhaps you have a new mobile phone number.  If this is the case, please make sure that you have updated these details at school.  Please contact Kylie Finch should you need to make any updates.

Lego Club has started

Thank you to our community for your kind donations of Lego. This has allowed us to start up Lego Club this term! Every Wednesday in the Cafe undercover area, students from Prep to Year 6 are welcome to join and build with Lego, before the school day begins. What a great way to start the day!

Have a great weekend

Kind regards

Vic