eNewsletter
No 39 17th December 2021
A Word From the Principal
Another year over and another one full of remote learning and on site supervision.
A beautiful day to end what I would describe as a year of uncertainty.
I would like to thank all of our students, parents and staff for the resilience they have shown this year throughout 4 lockdowns consisting of 113 days. Along with the 153 days last year it shows how much socialisation and schooling our children have missed out on. This missed time does not include children and staff who have had to spend time in isolation due to COVID cases at school. This demonstrates how vulnurable primary schools are and will continue to be until our 5-11 year olds receive their vaccination.
Now on to our good news. We were very excited to hear from McClelland that two of our grade 6 students were accepted into their Year 7 Elite Performance Program. Congratulations Melissa and Kyra, you have worked hard to achieve this. Well done.
It is now time for us all to have a well deserved break. Take care over the holiday as we want to see you all back safe and well on Monday 31st January 2022.
Have a fantastic Christmas,
Kerryn Riley
I would like to thank all of our students, parents and staff for the resilience they have shown this year throughout 4 lockdowns consisting of 113 days. Along with the 153 days last year it shows how much socialisation and schooling our children have missed out on. This missed time does not include children and staff who have had to spend time in isolation due to COVID cases at school. This demonstrates how vulnurable primary schools are and will continue to be until our 5-11 year olds receive their vaccination.
Now on to our good news. We were very excited to hear from McClelland that two of our grade 6 students were accepted into their Year 7 Elite Performance Program. Congratulations Melissa and Kyra, you have worked hard to achieve this. Well done.
It is now time for us all to have a well deserved break. Take care over the holiday as we want to see you all back safe and well on Monday 31st January 2022.
Have a fantastic Christmas,
Kerryn Riley
Grade 6 Graduation
There were a few tears and alot of nervous speeches but the children looked wonderful and presented themselves well.
Grade 6 Graduation began with Mr Burrows from McClelland Secondary College announcing that Kyra and Melissa had both been accepted into the Elite Performance Program at McClelland Secondary College. Kyra was also presented with their COG award (Community, Ownership and Growth).
The Louisa Dunkley Shield was presented by Peta Murphy to Islay Kirkpatrick, a very worthy recipient.
Ellie Clarke received the Principal's Award.
Academic Excellence Award recipients can be seen on our home page.
The most enjoyable part of the evening is when the children speak about one of their class members. We love hearing about their favourite part of primary school, their most embarrassing moment and what they would like to do when they leave school.
Thank you to Mr Bodley who made a video of the Graduating Class of 2021 which you can find on our photo gallery.
We wish our grade 6 children all the best in their future journeys.
The Louisa Dunkley Shield was presented by Peta Murphy to Islay Kirkpatrick, a very worthy recipient.
Ellie Clarke received the Principal's Award.
Academic Excellence Award recipients can be seen on our home page.
The most enjoyable part of the evening is when the children speak about one of their class members. We love hearing about their favourite part of primary school, their most embarrassing moment and what they would like to do when they leave school.
Thank you to Mr Bodley who made a video of the Graduating Class of 2021 which you can find on our photo gallery.
We wish our grade 6 children all the best in their future journeys.
Academic Excellence Awards 2021
Congratulations to our Academic Excellance Award recipients for 2021.
| Reading | Writing | Numeracy | Overall | |
| Foundation | Axel L | Matilda C | Blake B | Spencer W |
| Grade 1 | Rosalee T | Julieanne D | Ryder K | Malachi R |
| Grade 2 | Savannah C | Savannah C | Tyler F-G | Savannah C |
| Grade 3 | Dion M | Piper W | Dion M | Annabelle T |
| Grade 4 | Lilly F | Michael G | Thomas L | Ewan M |
| Grade 5 | Matilda M | Kanisha K | Mikayla K | Kanisha K |
| Grade 6 | Kyra L | Melissa P | Melissa P | Kyra L |
| Art | Phys Ed |
| Melissa P | Dajion S |
Your child is now eligible to be vaccinated
Children aged 5 to 11 will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations from 10 January 2022.
Dear parents and carers
Children aged 5 to 11 will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations from 10 January 2022.
These vaccinations will be available at participating general practices (GPs), pharmacies, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and state vaccination centres.
The vaccine is one third of the adult dose and will be delivered at 2 separate appointments, expected to be 8 weeks apart. The time between the two doses can be shortened in special circumstances, such as in an outbreak response or for international travel.
The commencement of the program from 10 January 2022 provides an opportunity for all children aged 5 to 11 to receive at least one vaccine dose before they return to school, and their second dose before the end of Term 1 2022.
You are strongly encouraged to book your child or children in to receive their first vaccination before Term 1 begins.
COVID-19 vaccines have been tested, and shown to be safe and effective in protecting against serious illness and reducing the likelihood of COVID-19 spreading. They are important to protect you and your loved ones from COVID-19 and to reduce disruption to your child’s education and out-ofschool activities.
Vaccination is not mandatory to attend school, but it is highly encouraged to keep all children and their families safe.
How to book an appointment
Bookings will be available later in December 2021.
You will be able to book a vaccine appointment at a participating general practice (GPs), pharmacy or community health service, or at state vaccination centres through the Vaccine Clinic Finder.
Victorian Coronavirus Hotline
The Department of Health’s Coronavirus Hotline 1800 675 398 can assist you with bookings at general practice (GPs), pharmacy and state vaccination centres, and help with any questions you have about vaccination.
What to bring
For information on what to bring to a vaccine appointment please visit Checklist: before your COVID19 vaccination.
Support for students with disability or special requirements
There is extra support for students with disabilities and specialist requirements to access COVID-19 vaccinations.
Parents of children with disability who need extra assistance to access a vaccination should contact specialist Disability Liaison Officers who can help make the process easier.
The Association for Children with a Disability will hold a Facebook live session for families with children with additional needs on Tuesday 11 January at 10.30am. Register online.
Parent and community webinars
Experts from the Royal Children’s Hospital will hold a Facebook live session – ‘COVID-19 vaccinations for 5- to 11-year-olds: Your questions answered’ on Thursday 16 December at 11am. Refer to the Facebook page for more information.
The Department of Health and leading medical research organisations will run webinars for parents and carers about COVID-19 vaccinations for 5- to 11-year-old children. Details to follow.
More information
Resources are available to help you and your child or children prepare for the vaccination:
• Needle phobia - The Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC) (mcri.edu.au)
• Tips to help a child afraid of needles and stop it becoming a phobia - ABC Everyday
• COVID-19 vaccination social scripts - Amaze - Autism resource
• Sesame Street ABC of COVID vaccines
The Victorian Government’s coronavirus.vic.gov.au website also has information about COVID-19 vaccines in 63 community languages.
To ensure the safest start to the 2022 school year for your child or children, I encourage you to help them get vaccinated before they return to school.
Kind regards
Stephen Fraser
Deputy Secretary
School Education Programs and Support
Children aged 5 to 11 will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations from 10 January 2022.
These vaccinations will be available at participating general practices (GPs), pharmacies, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and state vaccination centres.
The vaccine is one third of the adult dose and will be delivered at 2 separate appointments, expected to be 8 weeks apart. The time between the two doses can be shortened in special circumstances, such as in an outbreak response or for international travel.
The commencement of the program from 10 January 2022 provides an opportunity for all children aged 5 to 11 to receive at least one vaccine dose before they return to school, and their second dose before the end of Term 1 2022.
You are strongly encouraged to book your child or children in to receive their first vaccination before Term 1 begins.
COVID-19 vaccines have been tested, and shown to be safe and effective in protecting against serious illness and reducing the likelihood of COVID-19 spreading. They are important to protect you and your loved ones from COVID-19 and to reduce disruption to your child’s education and out-ofschool activities.
Vaccination is not mandatory to attend school, but it is highly encouraged to keep all children and their families safe.
How to book an appointment
Bookings will be available later in December 2021.
You will be able to book a vaccine appointment at a participating general practice (GPs), pharmacy or community health service, or at state vaccination centres through the Vaccine Clinic Finder.
Victorian Coronavirus Hotline
The Department of Health’s Coronavirus Hotline 1800 675 398 can assist you with bookings at general practice (GPs), pharmacy and state vaccination centres, and help with any questions you have about vaccination.
What to bring
For information on what to bring to a vaccine appointment please visit Checklist: before your COVID19 vaccination.
Support for students with disability or special requirements
There is extra support for students with disabilities and specialist requirements to access COVID-19 vaccinations.
Parents of children with disability who need extra assistance to access a vaccination should contact specialist Disability Liaison Officers who can help make the process easier.
The Association for Children with a Disability will hold a Facebook live session for families with children with additional needs on Tuesday 11 January at 10.30am. Register online.
Parent and community webinars
Experts from the Royal Children’s Hospital will hold a Facebook live session – ‘COVID-19 vaccinations for 5- to 11-year-olds: Your questions answered’ on Thursday 16 December at 11am. Refer to the Facebook page for more information.
The Department of Health and leading medical research organisations will run webinars for parents and carers about COVID-19 vaccinations for 5- to 11-year-old children. Details to follow.
More information
Resources are available to help you and your child or children prepare for the vaccination:
• Needle phobia - The Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC) (mcri.edu.au)
• Tips to help a child afraid of needles and stop it becoming a phobia - ABC Everyday
• COVID-19 vaccination social scripts - Amaze - Autism resource
• Sesame Street ABC of COVID vaccines
The Victorian Government’s coronavirus.vic.gov.au website also has information about COVID-19 vaccines in 63 community languages.
To ensure the safest start to the 2022 school year for your child or children, I encourage you to help them get vaccinated before they return to school.
Kind regards
Stephen Fraser
Deputy Secretary
School Education Programs and Support
The Circular Economy
During the year grade 456H have been working with a local plastic recycling company learning about the Circular Economy.
The children have learnt how plastic is recycled and then used to make many different items. The children have completed projects that have demonstrated their learning. The Martogg representatives were very impressed. The recycled plastic is going to be made into chairs that will end up in the classroom next year.
The children have learnt how plastic is recycled and then used to make many different items. The children have completed projects that have demonstrated their learning. The Martogg representatives were very impressed. The recycled plastic is going to be made into chairs that will end up in the classroom next year.
SWPBS Milestone Achievements
To encourage expected behaviours, every student gets acknowledged with SWPBS tickets throughout the year.
We would like to congratulate 6 more students for reaching the highest ticket milestone. Each student has passed 60 SWPBS tickets.
Congratulations to you all.
Congratulations to you all.
| Rosalee T | Tyler F-G |
 |  |
| Daniel R | Luca L |
 | |
| Lilly F-S | Riley B |
 |  |
Beleza Holiday Trading Hours
Beleza's holiday trading hours.
Dear School Community,
Please be advised that your local Beleza store will be closing this Friday 17th of December, and will reopen from Tuesday 4th of January, as per the attached letter.
We'd like to wish you all the best for the upcoming holiday season, and look forward to seeing you all when we return in the New Year. We hope you have a lovely break!
Kind regards,
Beleza Administrative Team