3 June 2020
Newsletter Articles
Principal’s Report
Thank you again to all the parents and family members that have displayed such great patience during the past few weeks with pick-ups and drop offs being so different. As we move next week into Phase 4 of the road to recovery the government is allowing parents back on site for students arriving and departing from school. During the past six weeks the children have developed a great deal of independence and I would hate to see this development eroded. It is for this reason and the safety of staff that we are requesting again no parents or other family members to enter into classrooms or wet areas. Even our little kindergarten children are able to unpack their bags on their own now.
Telethon Kids Institute Research Project
Hopefully you will remember that I advised the school community our school is one of 80 public schools, education support services and residential colleges taking part in “DETECT Schools Study - Assessing COVID-19 Across Western Australian Schools”.
COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the way we live. With the rates of COVID-19 in Western Australia (WA) remaining low, we are at a critical point where the Government is working hard on how to get things back to normal, as safely and as quickly, as we can.
One thing we don’t know much about, is the rates of COVID-19 in those who may not have any symptoms (asymptomatic). As part of a larger community study to determine the occurrence of COVID-19 in people without symptoms in WA, the WA Education and Health Departments, in partnership with Telethon Kids Institute, are undertaking a research study in schools. The study will help us answer three main questions:
- Is there any undetected COVID-19 infection in school students and staff (without symptoms)?
- Do students and staff at schools play a role in spreading COVID-19, if we find it?
- How are school staff, students, and their families coping during this challenging time? Is their wellbeing impacted?
It is hoped the DETECT Schools Study will assist in making an even stronger evidence-base for the WA (and Australian) Government to make the best policy decisions they can, and to provide the support to schools and families that they need.
Our school is one of forty schools that will be involved in the wellbeing survey only. Another forty schools will be involved in COVID-19 testing and the wellbeing survey.
Students in Years 4-12, parents of students in years K-12, and school staff will be asked to complete a brief fifteen minute survey to provide information on how COVID-19 is impacting their physical, social and emotional wellbeing. This is also voluntary. Further information regarding the survey will be sent out soon.
Changes to Staff Personnel
As some of you are aware Mrs Charlotte Falcone is leaving us at the end of this term as she prepares for the arrival of her baby. We do wish Charlotte all the very best for this important time in her life. Mrs Marie Gardner will be taking on the full time teaching role in C1 next semester. Mrs Mel Kolev and Mrs Rebecca Speldewinde are both returning for the commencement of next term. Mrs Kolev will be working Monday and Tuesday in C3 and Mrs Speldewinde will be in C4 Thursday and Friday. Ms Maddie Carrick will be taking on the Health teacher’s role on Wednesday for the classes in the cluster.
Mrs Wendy O’Neill returned to the school a few weeks ago in the capacity of a Librarian role one day per week. Unfortunately for Wendy the coronavirus interrupted her overseas holiday. Wendy is being very helpful in decluttering the teacher resource room.
Yvonne Arnott
Principal
NOW OPEN - 2021 Kindergarten Enrolments
Enrolments are now open for our Kindergarten program for children whose date of birth falls between the 1st July 2015 and the 30th June 2016. Enrolments will close on Friday 24th July 2020. Once we have confirmed enrolments, notification of acceptance will be sent in writing.
Due to the current Covid-19 situation please complete the Application for Enrolment form on our website and return it by email to hamptonpark.ps@education.wa.edu.au
Tudor Uniform Orders
Please ensure you put your child’s name on your uniform orders through Tudor Uniforms. This will assist us in delivering the order to your child’s class.
Recycling News
It is recommended that we change our toothbrushes every 3 months and a good way to remember this is with the change of seasons. Next week will be the beginning of Winter and if you do change your toothbrushes could you please send the old ones to Room 1 or PP2 for recycling. Your child will get 100 faction points for every tooth brush they bring in. We also collect empty toothpaste tubes and floss containers.
We send the toothbrushes to Terracycle where they make park benches from the toothbrushes. This is so much better than having them rot in landfill for 100 years.
Please check the recycling list below for all the other things we collect. Remember together we can make a difference!
Glynis Cardy
Room One Teacher