26-Aug-2022
Dear Families
Week 7 has seen a ramping up of excitement as our School Concert draws nearer and nearer. Practice is in full swing and our students have embraced the changes to routine and learning something new. We can’t wait to see the fruits of their labour on stage on September 8. On Thursday 1 September, more tickets will go on sale (worth every cent to see the kids have a great time and watch our wonderful staff attempt to dance too ).
A reminder also that there is a whole school Professional Practice Day on Friday September 9 – the day after the concert/. While staff are required to attend for their regular duties, our students will NOT be at school and can rest up after their concert performance. TeamKids will be available to run their BASC program on the day. Please contact them directly if you would like to access this service.
STEM Afternoon
It was wonderful to see so many students and families engaging with our STEM afternoon activities and events.
Science is most certainly a point of difference for our school and the engaging lessons and program that Miss McCarthy runs is enjoyed by our students. Thank you for taking the time to experience a different type of learning, attempting some of the robotics lessons and to help our students ’think like a scientist’ If your child is keen to explore and investigate different aspects of Science, they may like to access some of the Educational Websites contained in the attachment.
The sites can also be found here:
Science websites (education.vic.gov.au)
Homelessness Awareness
On behalf of our Student Leaders, a huge THANKYOU, for the donations of non-perishable foods and toiletries over the last fortnight. These, along with the money raised from our cupcake drive will support local community services to provide individuals and families less fortunate than many in our school community with vital supplies.
We continue to welcome donations for the Homeless and are looking forward to handing these over to the Chelsea Uniting Church on the last day of Term. Thank you for supporting this cause.
Fathers’ and Special People Day
Next Friday September 2 there will be an opportunity to thank and recognise the Dads in our school community.
Each year level, from 2:45 -3:30pm will be opening classrooms and encouraging Dads to jump in and enjoy an experience with their child at school. The idea of enjoying an ‘experience’ is one that we trialled successfully when celebrating Mothers’ Day and we hope everyone who attends enjoys the afternoon session too. Please see attached flier for more details.
There will be NO assembly next week or on the Student free day and our next assembly will be on the last day of the school Term from 2pm.
Health and Wellbeing (from the Be You website Home – Be You )
Physical activity promotes many aspects of child and adolescent development, including social and emotional skills, as well as physical development of motor skills.
Physical activity and mental health
It also supports mental wellbeing. We know that high levels of inactivity can lead to a greater risk of both physical and mental health problems.
Physical activity:
- can increase levels of serotonin and endorphins; the neurotransmitters involved in regulating and improving
mood - promotes sleep – which also helps regulate moods, increase energy levels and improve memory and learning
- increases the connections between the brain neurons, which improves memory and learning capacity
- pumps blood to the brain to boost mood, concentration and alertness
- promotes relaxation by reducing skeletal muscle tension
- provides children and young people with an outlet for excess energy and frustration, which relieves tension
These benefits also serve to improve classroom behaviour and promote a more positive learning environment.
SunSmart
UV levels are starting to rise
It’s almost time to dust off those sun hats, check the sunscreen expiry date and get your SunSmart app ready.
Students are encouraged to wear their school hats from the start of next month and are required to wear hats throughout Terms 1 and 4 every year.
UV can’t be seen or felt. It’s the part of the sun that can damage the skin and eyes and lead to skin cancer. The good news is, most skin cancer can be prevented if we protect from UV.
In Victoria UV levels start to rise from mid-August. To be sure you are using sun protection when you need to, check the sun protection times on the SunSmart app, add the SunSmart widget to your website or make SunSmart one of your web favourites so you can check the UV levels and sun protection times for your area each day.
Regardless of the weather, remember to SLIP, SLOP, SLAP, SEEK and SLIDE whenever UV levels reach three or more.
- To help create a barrier between your skin and the sun’s UV, SLIP on clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
- For any skin you can’t cover with clothing, SLOP on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen. Apply 20 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours.
- Protect the delicate areas of the head and face and SLAP on a sun protective hat. Make sure it has a wide brim that provides good shade to all areas. Caps do not provide enough UV protection so are not a suitable alternative.
- Consider built, natural and temporary UV protection and encourage children to SEEK shade whenever possible. Set up activities in shaded areas.
- If appropriate for your situation, SLIDE on wrap-around sunglasses labelled AS1067 to help protect the eyes from UV.
Kind regards,
James Whitla
Key Dates:
- September 2 – District Athletics
- September 2 – Fathers’ Day and Special friends’ afternoon 2:45 pm
- September 8 – School Concert Evening 6:30 – 8:00 pm approx.
- September 9 – Student free day (TeamKids available)
- September 12-14 – Year 5 Positive Start Camp at Tallangatta
- September 14-16 – Year 6 Positive Start Camp at Tallangatta
- September 16 – Final day of Term 3. Early finish at 2:30pm following on from a 2:00 pm assembly
- October 3 – First day of Term 4.
I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we meet, the Bunurong- members of the eastern
Kulin Nations – and pay my respects to elders past present and emerging. I wish to acknowledge all First Nations
people in the room and pay respects to them. I note further that these lands were never ceded and are, and always
will be, Aboriginal Lands.