Dear Families,
We are already nearing the end of Week 4! Staff and students having to isolate due to COVID has been a challenge, but it is great to have some certainty that schools will stay open. We have some wonderful relief teachers and it is good for me to get back into a classroom every now and again 😊.
Thank you to families for RA Testing on Monday and Thursday evenings and reporting COVID cases to our front office. This program, along with ventilation, air purifiers, mask wearing, cleaning and social distancing has allowed us to minimise the spread of COVID at school. RA Testing will continue for the next few weeks at least. QR code check-ins for visitors will no longer be required from Monday 21st February.
District Swim Trials were held last Wednesday. I have had some great feedback about the effort and behaviour of our swimmers. Good luck to our swimmers who are off to Division Swimming on February 23rd. A huge thank you to Jen Driessen for all her work organising the event.
A few things from me this week...
Tutor Learning Initiative
Mansfield Primary School is delighted to share the news that the Victorian Government is continuing the Tutor Learning Initiative (TLI) for 2022. This initiative is designed to address the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on student learning and engagement in Victoria.
The extension of the initiative will allow Mansfield Primary School to continue to provide our students who need it most with targeted support this year. Despite the continued challenges of COVID-19, the TLI will ensure that students, who may have fallen behind or become disengaged, receive the help they need. The continuation of the TLI program in 2022 will enable us to provide small group learning support for our students.
We will be in touch via letter if your child has been identified to participate in TLI and what focus this will be, as we will be targeting both Literacy and Numeracy this year. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the school or Dean Bush (dean.bush@education.vic.gov.au).
Sharing Food
Our COVID Operations Guide is clear that we are not to share food at school. Unfortunately, this means we can’t have homemade cakes or cupcakes for birthdays at the moment. A small snack in individual packaging is probably the best option if parents would like to bring something in. Please speak to your child’s teacher.
Voluntary Contributions
A lot of families are confused with the changes around school fees or voluntary contributions. Mansfield Primary School is not able to invoice for contributions because the payments, whilst very important to our school budget, are not compulsory.
If you are unsure about voluntary contributions, please drop into the front office or call on 5775 2325 and our office staff will be able to help you out.
Masks
If your child is exempt from wearing a mask inside, please email your teacher or the front office so that we have a record of this for 2022. We have some spare masks at school but not an endless supply so we ask that students arrive at school with a mask. Our staff and Grade 3 – 6 students are required to wear a mask unless they have an exemption. Masks are recommended for our Prep – 2 students.
School Council Elections
Nominations for the Mansfield Primary School Council are held each year. Council has 8 parent members, 5 staff members and 2 community members. The term for each member is 2 years. Meetings are held twice a term on a Monday evening and members join a subcommittee or working group. The school council works with the school to directly influence the quality of education that the school provides for its students.
This year we are seeking nominations for 5 parent members. Nomination forms are available at the office. if you have any questions, or would like further information, please contact me tom.macmunn@education.vic.gov.au or the school office.
The Resilience Project
Mansfield Primary School, and other schools in the Mansfield Shire, has teamed up with The Resilience Project to help us provide evidence-based, practical strategies to build resilience. Over the coming weeks we will be sharing the Parent and Carer Program with you. Please save this date: Thursday 17th March at 6:30pm at the new stadium at Mansfield Secondary College for a presentation to families.
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 lovely weekend.
Take Care,
Tom.
