Dear Families,
We are already halfway through Term 4! Every term is busy at Mansfield Primary School, but Term 4 is particularly so. We are planning for 2022, running Kinder and Y7 Transition, running S2S camps and excursions, writing reports as well as our normal teaching and learning.
The Grade 6 students are nearing the end of their Social Enterprise Schools unit. They have been trading at recess times and, even though COVID restrictions have thrown some challenges at them, they have learned a lot. This is just one example of how our students, teachers and families have adapted and supported each other so that learning has continued over the last couple of years.
A huge thankyou to Bernie Scott (5C), Kate Bennett (4B) and Marylaure Farnault (French) who have stepped in to support our students this term. This is another example of our students having fantastic teachers to support their wellbeing and learning.
Parents and Guardians Onsite
Parents and guardians are able to come into the school grounds to pick up their children. If you need to come into the office or into a classroom you will need to sign in using the QR code and show the office staff a valid vaccination certificate.
If there is a COVID case at Mansfield Primary School
A number of schools across Victoria have had positive COVID cases during this term. The Department of Education and Department of Health support schools when this occurs. We hope that it will not happen at MPS but we have a plan in place.
Step 1: A COVID case is confirmed
Principal identifies close contacts and asks them to get a PCR test, then stay at home and wait for contact from the Department of Health.
Step 2: Possible school site closure, then reopening
If necessary, the school may close for 24 hours to allow time to complete the identification of close contacts.
Step 3: Cleaning
Daily COVIDSafe Routine Cleaning can continue even if the school site is closed. A deep clean is not required; COVIDSafe Routine Cleaning (including high-touch clean and disinfect) is the appropriate level of cleaning.
Step 4: Return to school
Principal informs the rest of the school (those not identified as close contacts) that they can return.
Classes 2022
Next year we will have 5 prep classes and 3 classes for every other year level. This will mean a total of 23 classes across the school.
We are currently finalising which staff will teach in each area and the best place for each and every student. The biggest piece of work is our teachers using their experience, knowledge of students and professional judgement to place all 525(ish) students into classes. Students will identify peers that they learn well with to help this process.
Our whole school transition morning on December 15th will give students an opportunity to spend a morning in their new classroom with their new teacher.
Remembrance Day
On Thursday morning our Grade 6 School Captains and I attended the Mansfield Remembrance Ceremony. Mrs Sketcher led the orchestra and played The Last Post. Our students at school observed a minute’s silence at 11:00am.
Support to Get Your Kids Active
If you have a Healthcare or Pensioner’s Card, you may be eligible for $200 to support your children to participate in sport or recreational activities. Please see the flyer attached to this newsletter. Call the office if you have any questions.
Like always, please get in touch with us with any questions or concerns. Call or email your classroom teacher, call the front office or email me tom.macmunn@education.vic.gov.au.
Have a great weekend.
Take Care,
Tom