Term 4 Week 4 Newsletter
From the Principal
Dear Calwell Families,
What a joy it was to welcome students and staff back to school this week. We are looking forward to years 3, 4, and 5 coming next Monday. While making all the COVID arrangements required was a considerable workload, it was all worth it as we greeted so many happy children. Our students have quickly adapted to new routines and classes have been very settled. We have been very impressed by the resilience our students have displayed through a difficult part of the year.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank the team of staff who supported the students who were on site during the lockdown period. It was a large team of teachers, assistants and administration staff who came in on rotation. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work of the leadership team - Katie Brown, Emma Vince and Alyssa Owen who also worked tirlessly throughout the lockdown period to support staff, students and families. They have also worked very hard to create all the new timetables, schedules and processes that were needed to ensure the safety of our students when they returned to school. All Team Calwell Staff worked beyond the call of duty for the benefit of our school community.
After School Pick-up
This was always going to be the most challenging aspect of the changed arrangements. The location of our school, one entry and exit gate and no off-site parking is very limiting and a recipe for frustration. I would like to thank you for your cooperation and patience to date however, I have an important request. Please, please DO NOT come to the school before 3.05pm to collect your child/ren. Why?
- Classes finish at 3pm and stopping early to pack and move outside ready for pick-up reduces learning time significantly – 15 / 20 mins per day
- Despite having implemented a very efficient system, we are also losing teaching time with regular hand washing – 15 / 20 minutes per day
All up we are losing approx 2.5+ hours - roughly half a day per week. This is valuable teaching and learning time we would like to claim back especially after a period of remote learning. Parent/Carers arriving at 3.05pm would help us to achieve this.
If you are only collecting senior children (Yrs 3-6) enter the gate and drive straight up to the front of the school towards the hall. If, however you are also collecting junior children, you need first to drive through the car park and collect your child from K-2 and then stop again in front of the school hall to collect your senior child. Please follow directions from staff and avoid blocking Downard St and Casey Cres. The school’s entry gate will continue to be closed prior 3pm.
Pencil Cases
To minimise the sharing of resources we would like all students to keep pencils etc in their own container. While we have provided zip lock bags, however, as these are not very robust if your child has a pencil case they would like to bring to school that would be appreciated. Please ensure their case has their name written on it clearly.
School Improvement & Climate Survey
This annual survey undertaken by the education Directorate provides valuable feedback to schools. We use the information gathered through this survey to inform planning and better meet the needs of the school community. Please complete the survey in the coming week. Emails with the complete link were sent to families by the Directorate on Monday 18 October.
Family Meets
Thank you to the group of parent/carers who have joined the Family Meets on Tuesday afternoons. Having the opportunity to talk directly with members of the community and receiving feedback about how communication and arrangements have been received has been invaluable. As students have returned to school we will no longer hold Family Meets. Please feel free to contact me at any time with feedback, questions or suggestions.
Class For 2022
It’s the time of year when we start to plan classes and staffing for the coming year. As the student numbers in each cohort determines class configurations, please notify us via the following link https://forms.gle/ipFNzKpp4AhU9pxi8 if your child/ren will not be returning tom Calwell in 2022 (excluding Yr6).
We will also shortly be meeting to configure classes for 2022. Classes are formed to maximise teaching and learning. Sometimes children’s 'best friends' may not be their best learning partner and students in each cohort are provided with the opportunity to work together from time to time. If you would like to provide any information you feel is relevant to your child’s class placement for next year, please complete the form on the following link https://forms.gle/6fs3i3P6jX1srnrn7 one form per child.
Linda Neeson
Principal
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