Dr Carmel McGrath

Staffing Update

I will be on family leave for the beginning of term 3 weeks 1-4.  In my absence, Deputy Principal Kay Bradley will take on the Acting Principal role and Head of Department Melinda Norman will replace Kay as Deputy. 

Ms De Boer will continue on Year 1 SC after the holidays with her contract being extended to the end of the year. 

Pick Up Zone

Thank you so much to all our parents and students who have been doing a great job following the procedures outlined in our LOOKOUT program.  I have attached the registration form again for those who have not yet signed up.  Not only do you get the name tag when you register, but most importantly you also read, understand and agree to the procedures as outlined in the program.  Please remember staff who help at these areas are volunteering to help your children depart school safely so your cooperation is really appreciated. 

BYO ipad

Thank you to all Year 4 families who have been responding to the invitation to sign up for the BYO ipad program after the holidays.  We expect it will be a gradual take up of the program and I would encourage you to contact our STEAM Coach Nick Fenton if you have any queries.  Nfent10@eq.edu.au

Facilities Update

This term we conducted our regular Evacuation Drills (per Year level) and Lockdown Drill.

A reminder that the Prep Gate to Hawthorne Street is locked during the day and visitors are expected to go to the main office and sign in rather than going directly to classrooms. 

Pool Refurbishment

We are replacing the pool gates to ensure increased height of gate and entry latch, improving adult control at the entry.

Pool Circulation Filtration pump – replacement was completed on Wednesday 17 June.

Hygiene

Cleaning and Sanitising of classrooms, toilets, bubblers and high touch points continue to be undertaken daily. Teaching staff are also regularly reminding students to wash hands before and after eating, outside play, going to the toilet or where necessary.

Sanitiser Gel or Alcohol wipes are readily available for Classrooms and are replaced as needed.   

 Security – School Watch

The School Watch Program is a partnership between Education Queensland, the Queensland Police Service and the State Government Protective Security Service.  It aims to reduce criminal activity in Queensland schools and encourages everyone to look out for after-hours crime in our schools.  If you see anything suspicious, please don’t attempt to intervene.

Call the School Watch number – 13 17 88

Kay Bradley

• Change to Dismissal Arrangements from the Beginning of Term 3

 The following arrangements will be in place from the 13 of July:

• Preps will continue to ready for collection, from the assembly hall and from the Hawthorne pick up zone, from 2.50 p.m.
• All other year levels will be dismissed at 3 p.m., from classrooms, not the oval.
• Hawthorne Street and Heal Street will continue to run as ‘pick up’ zones, with no parking.
• Parents may come onto the school grounds to collect students, but adult social distancing should be practised at all times.
• Parents and students should move off school grounds as quickly as possible.
• Adventure playgrounds are only available to Jabiru students, after 3 p.m. We ask that playtime for students and social ‘catch ups’ for parents, take place off school grounds.
• The bottom gate on Heal Street is now part of our ‘pick up’ zone; pedestrians should use other access and exit points at our peak dismissal time.

• Change to Drop Off Arrangements from the Beginning of Term 3

The following arrangements will be in place from the 13 of July:

• Hawthorne Street and Heal Street will continue to run as ‘drop off’ zones with no parking.
• Parents are welcome into the school, but adult social distancing should be practised at all times.
• If you wish to drop your student/students off in school, do so as near to 8.45 a.m. as possible and leave the school grounds, promptly.
• The ‘Prep train’ will still be operating from the Heal Street ‘drop off’ zone, but students will be taken to the Assembly hall until the 8.45 a.m. bell when they will be escorted to the Prep classrooms.
• Prep classrooms will not be open until 8.45 a.m. but teacher aide staff will supervise students who have been dropped off close to 8.45 a.m. Prep parents are asked to drop their student/students off as close to 8.45 a.m. and to not remain on the school grounds.

• Further Adjustments to COVID arrangements

• Food/ice blocks for birthdays will be allowed, but parents should ensure teachers are given at least one day’s notice. This will ensure we can check any allergy concerns, prior to distribution.  Food arriving without notice, will not be distributed.
• Face-to-face meetings can be arranged, with suitable social distancing in place. Some teachers may still request telephone meetings.
• Assemblies for the time being will remain ‘virtual assemblies’.

PBL Focus