Principals Desk 22/05/2020

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Principal ~ Mr. Andrew Harrison Ph: 5367 6080

www.pentlandps.vic.edu.au/

Dear Parents and Carers, We have been busily planning for the return to school for all of our students. Our aim is to get all students back into class and to resume the normal teaching and learning as smoothly as possible. Students in years Foundation – Grade 2 will commence on May 26th. Students in years 3-6 will return on June 9th. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Pentland. On behalf of the team at Pentland Primary School, congratulations on your journey with remote learning. We have appreciat-ed your enthusiasm, commitment and support. I must sincerely thank our staff for their outstanding level of commitment and support this term ensuring that we deliver the best possible learning opportunities during flexible and remote learning. As our staff and students return to school, there will be a significant focus on keeping everyone safe in the face of COVID-19. As a result, school is going to look and feel quite different. Any changes to our normal traditions and routines at Pentland Primary School is solely aimed at keeping everyone safe. We appreciate your support in adjusting to any changes. We have circulated details regarding our plan for students entering and exiting our school. Please find a moment to read this information and unpack the details with your family. Please note parents will not be permitted onsite without prior approval from the Principal Team, Andrew, Brianna and Sky. All of our classrooms that have sinks have both soap dispensers and hand sanitiser. Classrooms without sinks have hand sanitiser. Students in these classes will wash their hands using the taps in our toilet blocks. We also have antiseptic wipes in all classrooms for regular cleaning of high touch surfaces and items. Teachers and staff will be continuously reminding students about good hygiene practices. The school cleaning roster has been significantly increased. All toilets, door handles, student tables, chairs and other high touch areas will be cleaned twice daily, once in the middle of the day and again after school. The school gates, play equipment, bike rack and handrails will also be cleaned daily. We will have all of our admin team back in the office from Monday 25th of May. Please feel free to contact our office via phone. We will be in a position to manage the phones now we have all of our team back on deck. This week we have received delivery of a refurbished GPC building from the Department of Education. The installation and hand over process should be complete within the next 2 weeks. This building is in readiness for expected enrolment growth in 2021. Commencing Tuesday 26th May, the Music room will be painted. Music lessons will take place in classrooms until the works are complete. Our Canteen will not be open for the remainder of term 2. At this stage we are planning to open the canteen in term 3. We are continuing to send out a range of communication via the school website, sms and flexibuzz. We encourage all families to carefully monitor all three platforms for updates. The OHSC Program conducted at Pentland Primary School remains open. For further information regarding OHSC, please see Jude or book through Camp Australia. It would be most appreciated if families could advise the office of any changes of family details such as change of address or contact numbers. We continue to experience a lot of interest for Foundation (Prep) enrolments for 2021. Families are most welcome to complete the enrolment process now. This will assist with our planning for 2021 and secure a place in Foundation for 2021. The schools within the Bacchus Marsh Cluster and within the South Western Region have agreed to a common enrolment date of the 31st of August 2020.

A big thank you to the members of the Pentland Community for their positive feedback and their support during this busy and challenging time. Looking forward welcoming everyone back to Pentland. Have a great week Andrew, Brianna & Sky.

Key Dates for Term 2 2020

Date Event/s

Monday 25/05/20 PUPIL-FREE DAY—no students on-site, no remote learning

Tuesday 26/05/20 Years F-2 Students resume on-site

Monday 08/06/20 QUEENS BIRTHDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Tuesday 09/06/20 Years 3-6 Students resume on-site

Wednesday 17/06/20 School Council Meeting 6pm

Friday 26/06/20 LAST DAY OF TERM 2: Student Dismissal 2.30pm

TIMES OF HARDSHIP

In these very difficult and unusual times that we are currently experiencing, we want you to know that we are here to help as best we can! If your situation has recently changed and you have not previously applied for the Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund, please take the time to see if you are eligible and fill in the form that is attached to this newsletter. Eligible recipients receive $125 per child per year to put towards extra-curricular activities. If you need any further assistance with your application or have any questions, please do not hesitate to have a chat with any of the Admin team. Our Breakfast Club has been put on hiatus for Term 2 but we have still received our delivery of food items. If anyone in our community could benefit from a hamper of food items, please do not hesitate to send us an email at pentland.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au and we will organise one for you. So if the purse strings are a little tight at the moment, please let us take a little of the burden off with a Breakfast Pack. Of course, it goes without saying that, if you are struggling with your mental health at this time, please also contact us to have a chat. Sky and Brianna do a wonderful job, not only as assistant principals, but as our welfare co-ordinators, so please feel free to reach out and speak to one of these wonderful ladies.

If you are struggling, please let us help you if we can.

We are all in this together!