karingal.heights.ps@education.vic.gov.au

Newsletter

No 16 26th May 2023

School Notice Board 26th May 2023

Swimming at PARC
	The children have had a fantastic time at PARC participating in their swimming lessons. Thank you to all for the amount of organisation this takes to make this happen. Take a look at our Swimming at PARC 2023 gallery.
Open Afternoon
We are having an Open Afternoon on Wednesday 31st May at 2:15pm. Come and work with your child to see what they are doing in Numeracy. They would love for you to visit.
School Photos
	Don't forget that school photos are on Monday. Your child should wear their best school uniform to school, have shiny hair and a lovely smile. Grade photographs begin at 9:00am. Make sure your child is at school on time as grade photos cannot be retaken. The photographers have a time line to adhere to. To place an order go to: https://schoolpix.com.au/
Parent, Teacher and Student Conferences and SSGs.
Parent, Teacher and Student Conferences for grades P/1D and 5/6H will take place on Wednesday, 21st June. As Miss Worland and Miss Smith will be on leave, their conferences will take place over the next few weeks. Notices about the interviews will go home soon. If your child has a regular SSG meeting, other arrangements may be made.
Evacuation Drill
	For your information, we will be having an evacuation drill within the next few weeks. Teachers will discuss this drill with the children after it occurs.
Assembly
Next week's assembly will feature 1/2W and 3/4S with SWPBS and Classroom Showcase presentations. We hope to see you there.
Information from the Department of Education
	This week the Department of Education has asked us to share two pieces of information with you. How to stay well this winter and Prep Bag Survey. You find them further on in this newsletter.
2022 Annual Report to the School Community
This week our 2022 Annual Report to the School Community was approved by the Department of Education. It is now available for you to read.
Seat Belts In School Buses
	Recently, a tragic accident occured involving a school bus where children sustained life changing injuries. We can assure you that whenever we book a bus, we ask for one with seatbelts. All staff check that children have their belt on correctly before the bus departs.
Picking Your Child Up Early From School
If you are picking your child up early from school for an appointment, could you please contact the office so we know you are on your way. Sometimes children have been sitting at the office for over 30 minutes waiting and therefore are missing out on class time. At other times, parents or carers come early and/or are in a hurry and what their child at the office straight away. Children in the younger grades can take about 10 minutes to pack up their bag so please be patient.

Reconciliation Week

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023 which begins on Saturday 27 May is ‘Be a voice for generations’. It encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise. It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Our school will be visited by a special guest who will talk to the children about reconciliation. The children will also complete reconciliation activities in their classrooms.

Stay Well This Winter

Stay well this winter

Symptoms of influenza (flu) can hit very quickly and may last several weeks. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting the flu.

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended from mid-April each year and is free under the National Immunisation Program for those at higher risk of complications from the flu.

Keeping our school community well

Parents, carers and students are encouraged to practice prevention measures, including:

washing and sanitising hands regularly
avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
staying home if unwell and consulting a general practitioner (GP) or Nurse-on-call as required
staying up to date with flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Flu vaccinations

Flu vaccinations can be booked through GPs and pharmacies, many of which can also provide COVID-19 vaccinations. Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.

Some people are more at risk of complications from flu and are eligible for free vaccination as part of the National Immunisation Program.

COVID-19 booster

The 2023 COVID-19 booster dose is available for everyone aged 18 and above.

Getting your booster dose remains the best way to prevent severe illness or hospitalisation, especially in people aged over 65 and those at higher risk of severe illness.

You can have your booster dose 6 months after your last dose or COVID infection.

Children aged between 5 and 17 years who are at risk of severe illness can also receive a 2023 booster dose.

You can get your next dose at your local pharmacy or GP. To find one near you, refer to the vaccine clinic finder.

Find out more

For more information about preventing flu, and immunisation, refer to:

Prep bags 2023 survey

Have your say about this year’s Prep bags in a short survey, closing Sunday 9 July

Each year, the Department of Education gives every Prep student attending a Victorian government school a bag full of goodies to celebrate this milestone in their education journey. The information and educational resources in the bags are designed to help Prep students and their families thrive from the start of Term 1.

The department is inviting parents and carers of current Prep students to participate in a short survey about the 2023 Prep bags, by 5 pm on Sunday 9 July 2023.

Your feedback will help the department learn what families liked about the Prep bags and what can be improved in 2024.

You can have your say at 2023 Prep Bags – Evaluation Survey.

The survey takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete, and responses are anonymous.

For more information on this year’s Prep bags, refer to Prep bags.

Awards. Birthdays and Celebrations

Congratulations to our Students of the Week recipients from the latest assembly
We would like to congratulate the following students for receiving an award at our last assembly.

P/1D	1/2B	3/4S	5/6H
Lylah-May M Lucas J	Ajay C Liam B Tilly C	Rosalee T Declan P Jaxon C Joel H Sofie M	Audrey M Kerry M Annabelle T
	ART
	Felicity R Thomas L