This last fortnight has certainly presented a unique set of challenges to our school. At present our entire community (staff, parents, students and wider) are working together in many different ways to help each other during a time of some uncertainty.

We want to recognise the huge role that our staff play in building on the role you have as your child’s first teachers. Some of the best examples we have seen of this recently are:

• Taking responsibility for our actions (limiting the spread of germs by practicing good personal hygiene)
• Looking after ourselves and others (social distance rule)
• Being responsible (continuing our learning tasks and inquiries)
• Being clear, calm communicators (sharing information to help, not heighten others)
• Expressing care and concern for others (manners, respect and speaking kindly)
  
  

Maintaining Positivity

This week YSS staff and students have enjoyed a few activities aimed at fostering positivity and teamwork. These have included a Mrs Paynter’s daily Scattergories competition (with some very original answers!). Each morning the letter and categories are announced and all classes have 10 minutes to brainstorm and get their answers to the office by 10am. We have had a multitude of winning classes across the year levels and the spirit of friendly competition is high!

Social distancing has meant that many games we would normally play need to be paused for a while, so we have had to find some new ways of enjoying our time together. During lunch time on Tuesday we played “Dance Monkey” to give students and staff a chance to dance outside. It was good fun and the students were suitably impressed by the dance moves modelled by teachers and our Chappy Jen. Apparently we are not quite as cool as we thought!

Coffee drops and random acts of kindness have also been observed throughout our community. It is so crucial that as adults we continue to model empathy, calm and personal responsibility to our young people.

Active School Travel – postponed for now….but returning!

Keep Our Kids Safe – Shut the Gate!

When entering or leaving our school grounds, please close all gates behind you. This ensures our students’ safety, especially in the lower school. Thanks for helping us to Keep Our Kids Safe!

Tracy Freeman and Louise Vaggs

Deputy Principals