I look back on a fortnight where we have faced much change and uncertainty as a school community. You could be forgiven for feeling a sense of being overwhelmed throughout these last few weeks- between constantly updated recommendations, a saturation of media coverage and an overall sense of concern for the health and wellbeing of loved ones and ourselves. Whilst this is the case, I am pleased to say that I continue to be impressed by the ability of the amazing YSS staff to stay focussed on our students and to keep calm and steadfast in the face of this extraordinary situation. I sincerely thank our staff and broader community for keeping your ‘eye on the ball’ and making so many sensible choices during this time.

ASSISTANT REGIONAL DIRECTOR VISIT

Our new Assistant Regional Director, Eunice Webb, paid a visit on Monday of Week 9. She was able to drop in to a few classrooms, as well as the Prep Teacher’s planning session and spend some time with the Strategic Leadership team, discussing our current improvement agenda items. Eunice provided positive feedback regarding our clear and concise improvement agenda, the depth of work being undertaken around Assessment for Learning (through a feedback culture and formative assessment), rigorous teamwork processes across the staff teams, processes in place for students transitioning into Prep, the building of staff capacity through our ongoing Curiosity and Powerful Learning journey and the emphasis being placed on inclusive practices and building a deeper understanding with all staff.

It was certainly an affirming visit for us, as we shared with pride the very focussed and intentional work that we do around teaching and learning here at Yeronga State School.

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL REMINDERS

We need your help! We ask our school community to continue to assist us in following before and after school procedures by adhering to the following guidelines:

• The Prep and Year 1 Natures Play area is out of bounds for all children before and after school (this aligns with our procedures for the Senior Natures Play area)
• No student should be in the school grounds before 8:15am unless attending YOSHC
• All students who are not attending YOSHC should aim to arrive after 8:30am
• Children are not allowed to be playing on any playgrounds both senior or junior prior to 8:30am (if any children in Yr 1 – Yr 6 arrive between 8:15am - 8:30am they should be seated under C Block)
• Children in Prep and Year 1 only are allowed to be on the Prep and Year 1 play equipment between 8:30am – 8:45am, only under the direct supervision of a parent/ carer (this does not apply to Natures Play – this is out of bounds)

We appreciate the support of our community in following the guidelines, which have been put in place to ensure both student safety and the maintenance of our play spaces for future use.

We have also been asked by the Yerongpilly Early Childhood Developmental Program (situated beside the back of the Prep classrooms), to remind parents that the ECDP carpark is only for the use of parents accessing the ECDP program. Please be considerate of these families and do not park in the ECDP carpark while dropping off or picking up students from school.

LOOKING AHEAD- COVID 19

I will continue to work to keep our school community as up to date as possible. You will note from the update sent out to parents today that an additional five ‘Student Free Days’  will be in place next week, from Monday 30 March to Friday 3 April inclusive. This means that while schools will remain open, the Term 1 break will start early for students and they will not attend school next week, unless they are children of essential workers.

Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding as we work through the coming months.

Kate Paynter

Acting Principal