IMPORTANT DATES!
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Welcome back to another week of term 3. It has been great to watch some of the different ways our teachers have tried to be uplifting this week. We continue to remain positive and can’t wait for return to onsite learning.
Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children Free Parent Seminars
The Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children (VAGTC), in partnership with the Department of Education and Training, is hosting free online parent seminars which aim to educate and support parents of high ability children.
The Parent Seminar Series is an initiative of the VAGTC and funded by the Department of Education and Training.
Seminar topics
Based on feedback from the 2020 seminars, these seminars are designed to support parents in their parenting journeys, to foster positive and collaborative home and school partnerships and to connect parents with each other to provide networking and support
The seminars will explore:
- – the definitions and identification of giftedness and talent
- – how to understand the characteristics and needs of gifted kids
- – how to advocate for your child
- – how to build positive home and school partnerships
- – how to enrich your child’s learning at home
- – where to go for resources.
Seminar information and registration
The below online seminars are open for registration.
- – Working collaboratively with your child’s school — Thursday 2 September, 7:30pm-8:30pm
- – Gifted & high ability children 101 — Monday 13 September, 7:30pm-9pm
- – Thriving through educational transitions — Thursday 21 September, 7:30pm-8:30pm
- – Expert panel Q&A — Tuesday 9 November, 7:30-9pm For more information, and to register, refer to the VAGTC website.
Participants in the ‘Gifted & High Ability Children 101’ seminar are encouraged to watch a pre-recorded video presentation in advance and attend the Zoom session for discussion. The links to the video presentation and Zoom session will be sent to participants after registration.
Special Guest in 1/2L
This week Australian Olympian Tess Lloyd joined 1-2L for a Webex chat. She shared her courageous story of triumph over adversity to inspire our students during this challenging time. I encourage you to take a look at some of their reflections later on in this newsletter.
COVID Restrictions
With the close of playgrounds around greater Melbourne, Schools have also been asked to lockdown their play spaces. Our grounds are now closed to the general public until this restriction is lifted. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
Take care,
Kirrily Lamers
Principal
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS’ REPORT
Roll Marking During Lockdown
During the remote learning period, roll marking can be a little tricky for our teachers. We must make sure our rolls are marked daily and are accurate. We ask teachers to mark students present who attend WEBEX sessions and/or return work via Seesaw. We are very pleased with the high level of engagement at present.
We are also aware that most families experience struggles from time to time. Your child might just need a break (mine have!). This is OK, you know your child better than us and you should continue to have conversations with your child and check in on how they are going. If your child is having a day off, it would be very helpful if you log this through Compass. All you need to do is login and click on the add attendance note:
I’ve had so many conversations with parents over the last few weeks and the stories are all too familiar, disengagement, tears, moments of feeling down. Generally with some positive words and love students get up and get going again. Stick in there, try to remain as consistent as possible, develop routine and listen.
For my family, I see this as a great opportunity to discuss resilience and sticking through tough times. I’ve seen almost every emotion from my own kids as I’ve discussed with members of this community. You’re not alone, most of us are working through it. We are here for a chat if you need us.
Cybersafety
It is vitally important to be active and aware whilst your children are online. The eSaftey Commissioner has published a letter here: https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/covid-19/letter-parents-carers
It starts:
Dear parents and carers,
We are all living in extraordinary times, dealing with changes in the way we interact and live. Even if your health has not been directly impacted by COVID-19, the physical restrictions, emotional stresses and financial pressure may be making it difficult to cope — and for many people, keeping children home from school is adding to the tension.
Australian teachers and schools have been working overtime to ensure the least impact from changes to school routines, but the truth is, this will not be a seamless time for learning. Many of us without teaching experience may struggle to fill the gap. There could be technology and time challenges, particularly for anyone now working from home or caring for others as well. At times, just getting by may be difficult enough.
Learning at home
We recognise that staying safe online is something many parents and carers are concerned about and that privacy and protecting young people should be a priority.
Given the changing environment, eSafety is focused on providing…. Continue reading here
The Premiers’ reading challenge ends on September 17th. That gives you only 28 more days to try to complete the challenge.
Good luck and get reading!
Luke Franklin & Denisse Lobos
Assistant Principals
TEACHING AND LEARNING
As the COVID situation continues to evolve, we have needed to be flexible and adjust our plans for a range of forthcoming events. Please read below changes to ICAS tests, Book Week and the 2021 Writer’s Festival.
ICAS 2021
A further extension to lockdown has necessitated moving all the 2021 ICAS testing dates to the second sitting window in October. All ICAS registered students will sit their various ICAS during the three-week period at the start of Term 4. I have tried to schedule tests around specialist lessons as much as possible, however this is difficult with students from the majority of classes participating in ICAS. Makeup tests will be facilitated as usual if a student is unable to sit an ICAS at the allocated time.
Please see the new ICAS dates below:
‘Book Week Character Dress Up Assembly’
Unfortunately, the school will need to postpone our ‘Book Week Character Dress Up Assembly’ due to the extension of remote learning. This event will now be held on Thursday October 7th at 9am, which is during the first week of Term 4. COVID restrictions will determine whether we are able to host a parent audience for the assembly.
Classes will engage in ‘Book Week’ activities next week as part of their remote learning tasks. Sessions will be based on books nominated for 2’021 Children’s Book Council of Australia’ Awards.
‘2021 Writer’s Festival’ – postponed to 2022
A few newsletters back, I announced plans for our ‘2021 RGLPS Writer’s Festival’. Unfortunately, due to the various lockdowns and uncertainty, the school has made the difficult decision to postpone this event until 2022. It is too difficult for teachers and students to work on writing pieces remotely and far too stressful to plan a major event whose viability is in doubt. We are all disappointed but will work towards a fabulous Writer’s Festival in the future, when the COVID situation is more stable.
Kerron Worsdell
Learning Specialist
MATHS QUIZ
Maths Riddle:
Well done to those who solved last week’s gummy bear pyramid riddle. The answer to the problem is…
See if you can solve this week’s riddle below. I’ll share the answer in the newsletter next week.
Pretzel Stick Problem: Can you move 2 sticks below so that there are 7 squares in total? HINT: You might like to use cotton tips, matchsticks or pencils to create the shapes and solve.
Extra challenge: Create your own pretzel stick problem. You could start with squares or a different shape of your choice.
If you’d like to share, please send your own riddles to sarah.mclellan@education.vic.gov.au
Sarah McLellan
Learning Specialist
OLYMPIAN VISIT
SPACE WATTLE UPDATE
The Space Wattle seeds are very close now! The seeds are currently in quarantine awaiting clearance in Canberra until Friday/Monday. They will then be sent out around Australia and we get started on germinating some here at RGLPS! Check out the press release to find out a little bit more:
RGLPS ART GALLERY
FUNDRAISING
CANTEEN
THEIRCARE – BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Disclaimer: Rosanna Golf Links Primary School (RGLPS) does not endorse any product or service advertised in this newsletter. RGLPS takes no responsibility for the content of advertisements or the quality and reliability of products or services offered in the advertisements
