On Monday 25 May, all students returned to school. This was a celebration on many levels: living in a safe environment, being resilient during a global pandemic, learning from home, learning at school, technology used as a tool to connect like never before, upskilling, managing drastic change and building on our determination and creativity to create new pathways.

Students at Yeronga have reflected with their teachers and shared their individual experiences during this time. They have also fallen back into the routines seamlessly and it has been a pleasure to observe the respectful and calm behaviour of all the students. Getting back ‘school fitness’ took a few days but we are confident that it is business as usual in terms of learning. Thank you to parents and families for the part you have played during this time. We do not underestimate the impact that you have had in your child’s formal education during the learning@home phase of lockdown.

Despite the fact that all students are back at school, we are still observing guidelines around controlling the virus. Hygiene practices are paramount for the students. Teachers continue with routines around hand washing and sanitising. For the adults, social distancing is important. Please consider the safety of our workforce and observe the social distancing practices that have been put in place at the school. We respectfully request that pick-up and drop-offs are quick and that adults not linger in the school grounds or go into the buildings.

Our school review

Our school is scheduled for a review in Week 3 of Term 3- 27/28/29 July. The Department of Education regularly reviews the teaching and learning practices of Queensland state schools. The reviews are conducted by the department’s School Improvement Unit. The reviews do not rate or compare schools, but provide us with independent feedback so we can continue to improve learning outcomes for students. The information that they gather and the recommendations made, will assist the school develop the next quadrennial plan.

All schools have a review at least once every four years. Key findings from the review will be made available to parents and the community on our school website. The review team like to hear from the school community and I encourage anyone who is interested to have their say. Your feedback is important and will help us continue to deliver a great education for students. Feedback can be provided to the review team by phone or in person. All feedback remains confidential. Please contact the school office closer to the date if you are interested in speaking to a reviewer.

More information about the review process is available from the department’s website at www.schoolreviews.eq.edu.au.

"Primary Schools – Essential to our Economy" 

It’s been said that: “No other investment yields as great a return as the investment in education”. Research certainly confirms that education is one of the clearest indicators of life outcomes including employment opportunities, income and social status, and also a strong predictor of physical and mental wellbeing. In every sense, education is one of the fundamental drivers of a vibrant community and a thriving economy.

Our state primary schools support the development and creativity of young learners through innovative and differentiated approaches designed to ensure all students have access to education at their level of need. This work provides the foundation of all future learning. We provide a safe, supportive environment that nurtures the development of students intellectually, physically, artistically and emotionally.

The current health crisis has also highlighted the extent to which parents depend on schools as they go about their working lives and the role schools play as hubs of community support and resilience.

So as you pass by our school this week, we hope you will reflect on the vital role state primary schools play in keeping our economy humming but also in working alongside our community to prepare our children to be active contributors to our collective future.

Michelle D’Netto