Term 1 Week 1 Newsletter

From the Principal

Dear Calwell Families,

Welcome to 2021

A very warm welcome to the school year, especially to the many new families who are joining our school community.  I hope there has been an opportunity for families to enjoy time together and recharge the batteries ready for the exciting activities and opportunities we have planned for 2021. While there were some hurdles to face, and changes to adapt to in 2020, I think we have shown resilience and flexibility and developed the confidence to meet challenges and get through them together. Thankyou Team Calwell for working together and supporting each other to make the best of a tricky year. This year there are still COVID restrictions in place.  We fully understand how frustrating these can feel at times, but they are in place to keep our school community safe and well.  Your cooperation particularly in regard to social distancing betwen family groups whilst on school grounds is greatly appreciated.

As always, the Term 1 calendar is jam packed with a wide range of activities including our Meet & Greet, Footsteps Dance Program, Year 5/6 Camp, assemblies and our three sporting carnivals.  All this in a short term of 9 weeks!  Our great Team Calwell Staff have also been working hard to prepare an engaging year of learning for our students.  We will be focussing on encouraging every student to take ownership of their learning. this will involve our students developing a sound understanding of the Learning Assets – communicator, self-manager, thinker, collaborator and researcher.  teacher will be talking with their class daily about which of these skills they are using during their learning.  Learning Assets have been identified as key skills our students will need in the future regardless of the path they follow.  Positive Behaviours for Learning (PBL) continues with consolidating classroom processes. Our release programs for this year will again be Science taught by Chloe Li and PE taught by Vlado Susko who will also be teaching Indonesian to Years 3-6.  Our Social Emotional Learning Program (SEL) will be included in class programs.

The Leadership Team and I are always keen to engage with parent/carers to receive feedback, answer questions and resolve issues. If you wish to raise anything with us a direct email is our preferred method:

                                Principal:                    Linda Neeson                    linda.neeson@ed.act.edu.au

                                Deputy Principal:      Ashley Coutts                  ashley.coutts@ed.act.edu.au     

                                Executive Teacher:   Alyssa Owen P-Yr2       alyssa.owne@ed.act.edu.au

                                Executive Teacher:   Emma Vince Yrs 3-6    emma.vince@ed.act.edu.au 

Meet & Greet 

Our preschool and K-6 Meet & Greet BBQs are planned for early this term (see the diary dates above).  These provide the first opportunity for you to meet your child’s classroom teacher and chat informally with specialist staff and the Leadership Team. We hope to see all families at these events.

Book Packs

Thank you to those families who have already paid for a book pack for their child/ren.  We would like to distribute these as soon as possible. We would appreciate payment as soon as possible.  Payment can be made online or at the Front Office.  

‘Check In CBR’ App

For the convenience of families, we have registered to use the Check in CBR app. We encourage you to download the app to use when you visit the school for large events including assemblies and Meet & Greet BBQs.  The app will assist in faster contract tracing in the event of a confirmed case of COVID in the community.     

Communication - Home / School Partnership

One of our goals this year is to enhance home/school communication and encourage active engagement of families in student learning.  To support us all in ensuring there is strong and effective communication we have sent a Communication Guideline Document with today's  Newsletter. As community feedback last year indicated that Seesaw was a preferred communication method, this year we are asking that this be your first form of communication with teachers for all non-urgent matters.  When communicating via Seesaw please be mindful that your message will only be read when the teacher is not teaching, on duty or attending after school  meetings.  Messages will read between 8.30 and 5pm.  Anything that needs to be actioned on the day will still require a phone call to the office on 61421900 or an email to contact@calwellps.act.edu.au   

 We will be communicating through: 

• Calwell Connect Newsletter is available on the SZapp app and emailed each fortnight (Hard copies are available on request).
• Facebook – the school Facebook page will keep you up to date with school happenings. We post photos and videos of activities and events regularly as well as providing just in time information to keep you informed.
• Seesaw –QR access codes and instructions will be sent home soon.
• Calwell Primary Website – includes information including curriculum, programs, policies and parent help information.

Community Engagement Grant 

I am delighted to inform you that we have been successful in a grant application.  We have received $18,000 to support a project that will focus on engaging parent/carers with their child/ren's learning and the school.  We are looking for interested parent/carers who would like be on a working party for the implementation project throughout the year.  We are keen to have the first meeting in the next few weeks, please email contact@calwellps.act.edu.au if you would like to be involved. 

Linda

Team Calwell Staff - 2021

We are delighted to welcome – teachers Lisa Jenkins and Ellen Tyrrel as well as Jacqui Anderson who joins the Learning Support Team and Chris Brownell as an additional part-time BSO. Congratulations Natalia Nedic who returns to school following a wonderful wedding during the break and will now be Mrs Leifheit.

Class Teachers

Kinder        Natalia Leifheit (KL), Emily Hardy (KH)          Scrivener Unit 

Year 1        Kate Bicket (1B), Lauren Lutton (1L)                   Corin Unit

Year 2        Tamara Hope (2H), Elise Paull (2P)                    Corin Unit

Year 3/4    Rhianna Lockett (3/4L) Tamara Player (3/4P)

                     Cintha Thompson  (3/4C), Pat Delfs (3/4D)    Googong Unit

Year 5/6    Kristie Pope (5/6P), Ellen Christou (5/6C), Lisa Jenkins (5/6J)   Bendora Unit

Preschool Staff

Anna Dytlewski / Belinda Scargill – Cockatoos & Magpies

Liz Lozberis – Magpies and Cockatoos Wednesday teacher

Ellen Tyrrel / Bunten Grubb – Rosellas

Release Teachers

Vlado Susko – PE & Indonesian

Chloe Li   - Science

School Psychologist

Nicola Peaker

Library Coordinator / IT Support / Admin Support

Catherine Gilbert  

Learning Support Assistants

Linda Dorsett / Leanne Crampton / Jodie Temple-Clarke / Jacqui Anderson – 

Administration Team

Jennifer Hartcher – Business Manager

Lizzie Armati – School Assistant

Bel Haider - School Secretary

Building Service Officers

Anthony Donaldson & Chris Brownell (3 days)

2021 School Board Nominations

This year we are looking for one interested parent/carer to fill a vacant position on the Board for a two year period. Nominations open on next Monday 8^th February and close on Monday 22^nd February 2021.  Nomination forms are available at the front office from the or can be emailed to you by calling 6142 1900.

Nominations must be:

• In writing and signed
• Endorsed with the consent of the person nominated
• received before the closing date by:
• Hand delivery to the front office, or
• Email to contact@calwellps.act.edu.au with “CPS Board” in the subject space.

If more than one nomination is received the Returning Officer will conduct a ballot.  Should an election be required details will be advertised in the school newsletter.  Candidates will be required to provide a brief statement detailing where their particular interests lie in the school, what skills or experience they will bring to the Board and how they will represent the parent body.   Statements will be required by 10am 5th March ready for publication in the 9th March Newsletter.  The new Board commences on 1^st April 2021. 

COVID-19 Update

ACT Health is urging the community to get tested for COVID-19 if they have even the mildest of symptoms, with fragments of the virus being detected in ACT’s wastewater (sewage) for the first time recently.

The Health & Education Directorates have advised that this is a timely reminder for schools about sending staff or students home if they display symptoms. The main symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, and loss of smell or taste.  Please support us in keeping our school community well by keeping your child/ren home if they display any symptoms.  Families will be contacted to collect their child/ren if they display symptoms at school.  Your support and cooperation is appreciated.