Welcome to the first edition of ‘From The Principal’s Desk’ for Term 3. Wow … with everything that has been happening at our school, it has been so long since I’ve done a newsletter.
First, the COVID-19 information …
We are still in Phase 4 of COVID-19. This means we are still encouraging social distancing for parents / caregivers and staff wherever possible. When you are picking up students after school or when you are attending assemblies etc, please be mindful of the social distancing requirements of adults. We also have hand sanitiser in every learning area … students are reminded when leaving or returning to class for any reason to sanitise their hands.
Whilst we are still in Phase 4, the morning drop-off in the parents car park (off Culworth Avenue) will continue. I know how much parents are appreciating the service; and how much of a difference it is making for staff within the classrooms. As I said in the last video, students are more settled, ready to learn quicker, and are taking responsibility for themselves being ready to start the day. We are not sure if we will continue the morning drop-off in the carpark once Phase 4 moves to Phase 5 … let me know what you think
During Phase 4, we continue with our cleaning regime. All playground equipment is cleaned daily before first use as well as ‘high touch’ areas such as door handles, bench tops, toilets/sinks/taps/water bubblers etc. We have employed a person to specifically do that during the school day. Our normal cleaning of classrooms/toilets etc continues both before and after school.
Thank you to the wonderful staff at Anzac Terrace that have gone above and beyond their core business and have looked after your kids and ensured they continually feel safe in very uncertain times. I could not be more proud of this staff and this school.
Now on to the newsletter …
I am very happy to announce the commencement of another Club at Anzac Terrace. As you would already be aware, we have Coding Club on Mondays, Book Club on Mondays and Chess Club on Fridays; now we have Study Skills Club (for Yr 5/6s) on Wednesdays. Study skills was formed to assist students in year 5 and 6 to gain the skills required for the big move to high school. Each week the students will be taught skills such as diary and time management skills, summation, assignment work, researching techniques etc. as well as given assistance with current assignments or homework. All essential high school skills that will set student’s off on the right foot. My thanks to staff who volunteer their time to ensure students have these opportunities.
I would ask that you are thoughtful towards our neighbours here at Anzac Terrace. I am constantly receiving phone calls or emails from our neighbours because one of our parents has parked across a driveway and the neighbour can’t leave the house. Or parents/caregivers who are ‘screaming’ around the streets or through our car parks because they are running late. Or parents/caregivers who are parking in the bus bay out the front of the school after school finishes and our busses can’t get in to pick up students. We pride ourselves on being part of the Bassendean Community, and I would ask that you help us by heeding this notice
At the beginning of this term all students from Pre-Primary to Year 6 started the Unstoppable Me Program. The program endeavours to give students skills to deal with their emotional wellbeing. Activities such as yoga, mediation, breathing control, power of positivity etc. allow students to be ‘the boss’ of their emotions; and ties into our philosophy to Educate the Whole Child. This program is fully funded by the school and is an essential part of our Learning Dispositions.
At the beginning of this year we introduced three characters; Respectful Ricki, Resilient Rex, and Responsible Ringo. These three attributes are being explicitly taught in every classroom across the school. Students are learning how to be resilient when faced with adversity, respectful to themselves, their peers and their teachers, and responsible for their actions and their learning. Considering the year 2020 has turned out to be, this could not have come at a better time. As a part of this program we have also introduced a new award, the Principal’s Pin. The pin is awarded at assemblies to one student nominated by teachers and admin who consistently displays these traits. I am happy to announce the first two recipients as Amber L in Year 6 and Lacey J in Year 3 … both very worthy students.
I am very pleased to formally acknowledge that Anzac Terrace Primary School is officially an Independent Public School (IPS). What does this mean for Anzac Terrace? It means we are more in control of our own destiny. We have more say in our staffing and can look outside of the box to ensure we meet students’ needs. It is exciting for our future as the locus-of-control comes to us and the School Board (formally the School Council). I would also like to acknowledge the effort and support of the (now) School Board in getting Anzac Terrace to this stage, in particular Board Chair Dan Orkney who presented to the panel with me our IPS proposal.
Thanks again for all your support.
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