Issue 1, 11 February 2022, Week 1 Term 1

Dear Families,

Welcome back to the new school year. I certainly hope everyone had a relaxing break spent with family and friends, and that you all enjoyed some well-deserved down time. I would particularly like to welcome our new students and families who have come from overseas, interstate or from other schools to join our amazing Kingston Primary School community.

First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate to each of you that your health and safety is important to us. I would like to assure all of you that, with the recent spread of Covid-19, the school is following all government recommendations. For the well-being of our community, any student who has cold or flu-like symptoms, or is otherwise unwell, must stay at home.

I know that many of you have fielded questions from your children regarding the ever-evolving situation and the virus. Likewise, I also know that many of you have questions of your own. Please be assured that the Department of Education is providing constant updates to myself on the matter, and they are being kept well informed from both the Department of Health and the Department of Premier and Cabinet, as well as from the Federal Government. All School Principals have continued to meet throughout the new year and we have been provided with the latest information regarding the safe return to the school year.

In response, the school has implemented a number of measures to help contain the spread of Covid-19, such as hand washing routines and other hygiene measures. The school is well stocked with hand sanitiser and soap. As we implement measures that keep your children and our staff safe, we need your support with the following matters:

• Social distancing of 1.5m
• All staff will be wearing masks unless clear communication is required for teaching
• Ventilation measures that are in place include; air purifiers, opening windows and doors in all rooms and maximising outdoor learning opportunities
• All students to enter and exit their classroom via their external classroom doors only
• Parents may wait outside their child’s external classroom doors at the end of the day, but we ask that you observe the recommended 1.5 metre distancing requirements and wear a mask
• Contact with your child’s teacher should be by phone, email or Class Dojo/Seesaw. If you have not yet been connected to your child’s Class Dojo/Seesaw account by the end of Week 2, please phone the office and we will be able to arrange this.
• If you need to collect your child early for an appointment, please phone the office staff who will advise your child’s teacher that your child is to meet you outside the school office.
• All large group gatherings have been put on hold for at least the first five weeks of term. This includes our Launching into Learning Programs as well as Assemblies. In their absence we will ensure we keep you connected via all of our online platforms. However, we will run Virtual Assemblies in Week 6 and 8 as well as outdoor Launching into Learning experiences beginning in Week 3.

It is expected that schools will experience Covid cases as we return to school. Our school, and the Department, are working hard to establish clear protocols when expected cases arise.

• As a first strategy, all school staff are required to be double vaccinated. This mandate will include all volunteers who work at the school.
• Students, staff, and families who have Covid symptoms are not to attend school.
• The RAT tests provided in the Covid Care packs distributed earlier this week will enable all families to complete a test to determine if symptoms are Covid. However, if any student is unwell, even if not testing positive for Covid, it is important to stay at home.

We sincerely thank you in advance for your patience and support as we navigate the start of the school year. Our staff are ready to adapt and respond to the situation as it evolves to ensure the continuity of teaching for our students. I would like to extend our thanks to the teachers for their dedication in making sure students participate in these measures.

If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please do not hesitate in having a chat with me either by contacting me at school directly or via email. We will keep you up to date with all current information via our school Facebook page and Konnective.

Staff Changes

Last week Sarah Hughes accepted a temporary role, and will be moving to Glenora District School into the Assistant Principal position for six months. 

Sarah has been a trusted confidante and problem solver for many across the school over several years, including myself. She is also well known for devising solutions to complex problems or keeping track of our progress, fuelled by a bottomless coffee. She has also been responsible for working hard in our Launch into Learning space, which has been hugely successful and has seen a huge increase in Kindergarten enrolments. 

Our loss is of course Glenora's gain, albeit on a temporary basis, and we look forward to welcoming Sarah back in Term 3. Please join me in wishing Sarah all the very best for her new role.  

We are fortunate enough to have incredible depth in experience and ability at Kingston, and Leanne Hebden will be moving into this AST role. Christine Rumley will also step into this role two days a week and will continue to do a fabulous job of leading teaching and learning across the entire school. The Leadership Team have spent a considerable amount of time preparing for the year ahead and ensuring a smooth transition, and these new appointments will ensure that changes to the school are in personnel only, and not strategic direction.

As a result, we will also welcome Mrs Rachel Williams to the Year 3/4 team. Mrs Williams will work alongside Mrs Christine Rumley on Year 3/4 on a Tuesday and Wednesday. Mrs Williams is an incredibly talented and vibrant teacher who we are lucky to have been able to secure as a part of the Middle Primary Team.

Please join me in welcoming both Christine and Leanne to our senior team as well as Rachel to our KPS teaching team. I feel so incredibly fortunate to lead an amazing team, who have already demonstrated their ability to be resilient and adaptable this year. The staffing structure in place will ensure Kingston Primary School continues to go from strength to strength.

If you have any questions regarding these changes, please do not hesitate in contacting me and I will only be too happy to assist.

I look forward to another amazing year ahead with our school community to drive our school onwards and upwards.