Newsletter - 11 February 2022
Principal's Address
We are excited to welcome everyone to our 2022 school year. Summer has been busy at school with much preparation for the return of our students and families for the start of Term One. We have ensured greater ventilation and placed air purifiers across our school and extended some of our classroom spaces. I’d like to acknowledge the considerable work put in by our Administration Team and Facility Attendants who have supported with set up across our school. Our teaching team has also given much time to ensuring classrooms are welcoming spaces ready for learning. A strong focus has been on supporting students to return to school in an environment that is as supportive of health and wellbeing as possible.
We are pleased to have the following staff members at Fairview Primary this year and look forward to the positive contributions that they will make:
Dr Michelle Waldock – Assistant Principal
Nicole Netherton – 3-4 Teacher
Sammi O’Brien – Art/Library Teacher
Chris Rawlings – Physical Education Teacher
James Ackerley – 3-4 Teacher
Students have seemed eager to be back and to have enjoyed recommencing friendships or meeting new students or those with whom they’ve not been in class with before. Classrooms have settled quickly and well, with teachers focusing on developing classroom relationships and learning routines. We look forward to celebrating student achievements and efforts with you through our newsletter this year.
As you will now be aware, there are some changes to our school routines as we adjust to Covid within our community. Our Stop, Drop and Go areas are in place at the Back River Road school gate and in the rear driveway, we ask that you mask as you come through our gates and that you continue to use our QR Check in Tas code. We also ask that students do not attend if unwell and that parents/carers contact the School Office to explain absence via phone or SZapp.
We realise that, at any time, we may need to ask you to do things in a different way and thank you in advance for your co-operation. The changes made, and that we may continue to make, are in support of students. Please continue to use our school Facebook page and Schoolzine for updates. Families can also continue to find out about their child’s learning through Class DoJo. For the lastest Public Health advice, please refer to www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au
We look forward to you being in our school community this year and to partnering with you to support the academic growth of all students in our care.
OFFICE HOURS
Our Office is open from 8am to 3:30pm daily. To keep staff safe, please limit visits to the Office. If you have any enquiries, please use the Contact Us button on the SZapp. If visiting the Office, please wear a mask, sanitise, keep 1.5m distance and only TWO adults in the Office at one time.
UNIFORM (and Uniform Shop)
Classrooms have been coloured in Fairview blue this week as students returned to school in uniform. Uniform gives students a sense of pride and belonging in their school. It supports our ‘Together’ school value. We look forward to all students continuing to show their Fairview colours. Please contact our School Office if you wish to purchase items from the Uniform Shop.
Hats – As a SunSmart school, our students are required to wear their school hats during Term One and Term Four. First hat is provided but parents are required to purchase replacement hats should the first one get lost.
Sunscreen – Please inform the School Office if your child has an allergy to sunscreen. Bring own in.
MAKEUP & JEWELLERY
Students are asked to not wear makeup to school. Jewellery should be small and plain such as sleeper or stud earrings. Larger items can pose a risk of injury to self or others at school.
ROAD SAFETY
As we have geared up for school’s return, you may have seen the Government’s “Love 40” campaign. As school returns, road use around our schools increases. “Love 40” means driving at or below the school zone limit to keep our children safe. The 40km/h speed limit for school zones includes stationary school buses with their lights flashing. We ask our school community to set the example by driving to the school zone limit.
Please also show extra care at our rear driveway. This area is a 10km shared zone. It is regularly busy with pedestrians, buses and cars. Please do not park in the disability car parks unless you are authorised to do so. Please make sure that you park off the driveway itself to support traffic to keep flowing and buses to continue to the bus stop outside our Kinder. Thank you to all parents and carers for your careful use of the school’s rear driveway last week.
COLLECTION OF STUDENTS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
School encourages students to attend regularly as every day counts when building learning connections and maintaining school friendships. School understands that from time to time students will need to be picked up from school to attend appointments. Please attend the School Office on your arrival and Office Staff will organise for your child to meet you at the Office foyer. You will be required to sign your child out of school. This will be recorded on their attendance file.
LATE ARRIVAL
Parents and carers are asked to limit late arrivals to school as much as possible. The beginning of the school day is vital to support your child to settle into the classroom learning routine and to be aware of what will be happening in the school day. Support your child by having them to school on time. If your child is late to school they must visit the office to get a late pass for their teacher.
STUDENT MESSAGES
Please limit changes to end of day arrangements where possible. If you need to get a message to your child during the day, please contact the Office prior to 2pm.
WATER BOTTLES AND FRUIT BREAK
At this stage our drinking fountains are not turned on. Please send your child to school with a refillable drink bottle. All classes have access to fresh water to refill drink bottles and this makes it quick and easy for your child to remain hydrated during the school day. Students are provided with a short fruit break during the morning learning block. This supports them to keep their energy level up and to stay focused on learning. Please support this routine by packing your child a piece of fruit to eat at this time.
Student Packs
On the first day back at school (Wednesday 9 February) all students should have received a large white envelope containing important forms that will need to be filled in and returned to the School Office.
The validation process also helps us understand your child's medical history, emergency contacts and other important information we utilise to better your child's education. The validation form needs to be completed even if there are no changes from previous years as certain parts (photo permissions etc) need to be completed yearly.
To ensure accuracy of information, emergency contact details for students are removed each year. It is important that you nominate at least one emergency contact, in addition to enrolling parents, who are available and capable of acting in your place in case of an illness or an emergency.
SPECIAL DATA FORM
The collection of education and employment details for parents of enrolled students assists with the funding of our school. The more accurate the data, the fairer funding we receive. All information is treated with the strictest confidence.
Grade's 3 - 6 packs also contain an Aquatic form, Major Excursion (for swimming activities only stated on form). Students will not be allowed to participate or attend the pool without aquatic forms signed.
Student Progress
Parents and carers can contact their child’s teacher to discuss progress. Please make an appointment with your child’s teacher through the School Office as conversations about your child’s learning needs must be held at a time and place that ensure confidentiality. Teachers are unable to have such conversations before school as this time is set aside for morning routines in the classroom and greeting students.
Parents and carers may also wish to contact their child’s Sector Head to discuss any concerns.
For 2022 our Sector Heads will be:
Kinder – Year 2: Mrs Belinda Harback
Year 3-6: Dr Michelle Waldock
New Staff
From left to right we have Mr James Ackerley and Miss Nicole Netherton teaching a Year 3/4 class each. Miss Sammi O'Brien on ART/Library for Year 3-6 and Mr Chris Rawlings as our PE teacher.
Keep Covid Safe
Our School is maintaining guidelines required by the Department of Education at all times. Air purifiers and extra ventilation has been arranged around the School. Adults are required to wear a mask at all times both inside and outside while on site at School. Please DO NOT enter the School site if you are unwell and keep your child home if they are unwell. If your child presents to the Office unwell you will be called to collect them.
See below for DoE Parent FAQ's
COVID-19 frequently asked questions for parents and carers (education.tas.gov.au)
Student Medical Alerts
The start of the new year is a great time to update medical information. This can be done via the validation form or by visiting the office. If your child has a medical condition we need to be aware of, please let us know. If your child has allergies or asthma, we require an Action Plan to be completed by your Doctor and a copy given to the office each year.
If your child requires medication to be administered whilst at School, please see the Office to get the correct forms. Medication can not be given by staff until the forms have been completed.
Canteen
Our canteen is open every Thursday and Friday. Online ordering is preferred via the QKR! app. Recess and lunch must be pre ordered. The canteen will not be taking cash payments during recess and lunch. If you require any assisstance setting up the app, please contact the Office.
3/4 Graham
3/4 Graham are settling in well to 2022 and have been very creative and were able to put together a photo garland kit to display in our classroom. They needed to measure out the frame and pictures to fit correctly and squeeze the tiny pegs without breaking them! There were a few that went in the bin. Fun was had.
