COVID-19 Update – 23/03/2020

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Our updates on Covid-19 for today:

  • Our school library is now closed. All books currently on loan from the library must be returned to classrooms immediately and no borrowing will occur until further notice.
  • The hand dryers in toilet blocks will be turned off. Paper towel and rubbish bins have been supplied in all toilets.
  • All our staff, front office, teaching and administration are receiving countless emails regarding attendance. Thank you for taking the time to let us know of your decision to keep your children home. These are being read, however please appreciate that these may not be replied to.
  • It is imperative that parents and guardians inform the school if you are not sending children to school. On top of our already increased workload, our office staff have spent countless hours  today contacting parents to confirm the whereabouts of your children.
  • Today, the Western Australian Department of Education have launched a Learning at Home website for parents wishing to keep their children at home. Please follow this link: https://www.education.wa.edu.au/learning-at-home
  • In addition to these resources, as a school we have released a learning at home pack, also on our school website. Aside from your child’s iMaths workbook, no other learning packages will be provided to parents of students absent from school. Please appreciate that the focus for our teachers is on classroom learning. https://mindarieprimary.wa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Working-from-Home-Package.pdf

Outside of School Hours

Students are not to arrive at school before 8:15am unless attending Senior Choir.

Children are to be picked up at 2.45pm unless attending before / after school care. This is a matter of safety and security.

NAPLAN

On Friday the 20th March, we received confirmation from The Schools Curriculum and Standards Authority that NAPLAN has been cancelled this year. I thank you for all of the work that you have already done with your children with regards to this, so far this year.

Attendance

It is imperative that parents and guardians inform the school if you are not sending children to school. On top of our already increased workload, our office staff have spent countless hours contacting parents to confirm the whereabouts of your children.

Please keep sick children who are genuinely sick at home.  Children with bad coughs, sore throats, sneezing and so forth.  This will reduce the work load and stress levels of all at school. Please advise the school office via email, Connect or the absentee notification link.

https://mindarieprimary.wa.edu.au/absentee-notification/

Thank you in advance for your support. If you wish to discuss any of the above, please phone the school. Please be assured that we will provide you with updates as we are provided with them.

Kind regards,

Barbara Bromley
Principal
March 23 2020

COVID-19 Update – 20/03/2020

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

It is amazing how the school community has rallied together this week to support each other though the unknown. Please ensure that you familiarise yourself with today’s communication.

School Office Hours and Communication

As you would be aware, there is a massive shortage of sanitizing products available due to hoarding within the community. If you are able to donate any hand sanitiser, bacterial wipes or liquid hand soap, please drop them off at the front office. This would be much appreciated.


Parent Contact Details

Please ensure that we have your correct contact details. If these have changed, please ensure that you complete the Update to Contact Details note that was sent home a few weeks ago, or, you may respond to this email with updated contact numbers and contact information.


Birthday Celebrations

Food prepared at home will not be distributed at school. We encourage you to send wrapped confectionary treats, such as Freddo Frogs, for any birthday celebrations that may be occurring.


Outside of School Hours

Students are not to arrive at school before 8:15am unless attending Senior Choir.

Children are to be picked up at 2.45pm unless attending before / after school care. This is a matter of safety and security.


Information from North Metropolitan Education Regional Office

Parents Registering for Home Education

In the current circumstances, it is timely to remind schools (and parents) about the formalities related to Home Education.

The three key messages are:

  1. Home education is a minimum 12-month commitment/program/cycle.
  2. Parents/carers need to formally register with the Department’s Regional Office in order to home educate their children. The parent then formally becomes a registered Home Educator.
  3. Once a parent/carer goes through the process of applying and being registered as a Home Educator their child(ren) is now longer enrolled at school. There is a formal transfer note.
For parents, when registering as the home educator for your child, it is vitally important to note the following key aspects of your role:
  • You are taking on the full responsibility for your child’s education including the planning, implementation, supervision and resourcing of the education program.
  • No work packs or programs are provided.
It is your responsibility to ensure your program is evaluated as per the requirements by
  • Contacting your home education moderator to schedule a timely evaluation meeting
  • Providing evidence of your child’s education program and educational progress (in accordance with WA Curriculum & Assessment Outline) at that meeting.
You are choosing to withdraw your child from a current school enrolment, which includes most supports available under the public school system. No formal accreditation of learning is available for home educated students. The role of the Department of Education is limited to:
  • Providing the home education registration
  • Providing a home education moderator to carry out a mandatory evaluation meeting within the first 12 weeks of registration, and then at least one successful evaluation every 12 months, to confirm ongoing registration.

Attendance

Today, we had 163 students who were not at school. Whilst a large proportion of those who were not at school were legitimately sick, we did not hear from a large number of families.

As directed by the Department of Education, students whose parents have chosen to keep them home, without seeking medical advice, will not be provided curriculum work and activities. The priority for staff is to maintain focus on classroom learning programs. In the event of a temporary school closure, further advice will be provided.

If you are self-isolating due to acknowledged and identified risk factors by the Department of Health, or any family members who have been directed by the Health Department to self-isolate, please keep your child off and advise the school office via email, Connect or the absentee notification link.

Please keep sick children who are genuinely sick at home.  Children with bad coughs, sore throats, sneezing and so forth.  This will reduce the work load and stress levels of all at school. Please advise the school office via email, Connect or the absentee notification link.

https://mindarieprimary.wa.edu.au/absentee-notification/

Thank you in advance for your support. If you wish to discuss any of the above, please phone the school. Please be assured that we will provide you with updates as we are provided with them.

Kind regards

Barbara Bromley
Principal
March 20 2020

COVID-19 Update – 19/03/2020

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Please take the time to update yourself with the following information with regard to COVID-19 Virus.

School Office Hours and Communication

Our reception office hours are from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm.  If you wish to notify absences, please do so via our school email: [email protected] or via the absent student notification link on our website.

https://mindarieprimary.wa.edu.au/absentee-notification/

Work for Students Who Are Absent

Please be advised that students can do the following if they are not attending school:

  • Reading Eggs (K-3)
  • Reading Eggspress (4-6)
  • Matific (PP – 6)
  • Literacy Pro (3 – 6)
  • Daily reading at home
  • Keep a daily journal
  • Mindfulness using Smiling Minds
  • Daily fitness

Library Books

As per Australian Literacy Educators Association, all Library books are being quarantined for one week from when they are returned. Home reading books in Pre-Primary to Year 3 will no longer be distributed to students. Please continue to read books available online through the Reading Eggs and Reading Eggspress platforms.

Uniform Shop

To reduce the amount of money handling and to promote social distancing, the uniform shop at Mindarie Primary School is now closed for face to face transactions until further notice. Parents may still purchase uniforms online through https://quickcliq.com.au/ and uniforms will be delivered to the school office for collection.

Outside of School Hours

Students are not to arrive at school before 8:15am unless attending Senior Choir.

Children are to be picked up at 2.45pm unless attending before / after school care. This is a matter of safety and security.

Children are not permitted to play on any of the school play equipment before and after school. This is a current procedure and will now be reinforced by staff through a daily reminder on the PA at 2:50pm.

Healthy Habits

Staff have been asked to remind students of ongoing Healthy Habits, including the following updated adjustments;

  • All caregivers are to drop students at the classroom doors and not come into the classrooms. We truly appreciate the response to the implementation of this action today.
  • The segregation of play areas will change for next week.
  • At the beginning of Friday Sports there will be no initial meetings prior to the students going to sports. Teachers will group students and just take them to the sports area designated to them.
  • Junior choir will be split in two and taken in the undercover area.
  • Senior choir taken in the undercover area.
  • Crown rehearsal will be taken in the undercover area.
  • Achievement certificates will still be given each fortnight.  These will be read out on Thursday, over the PA. A photo of all of the recipients will be included in the newsletter, therefore, publicly celebrating student’s achievement.

School Events and Operation

Postponed
The following events have been postponed, a new date will be set when we have more information. If you have paid, you may contact the school for a refund.

  • Zoo Excursion
  • Ninja Warrior
  • Fathering Project Camp Out
  • Mindarie Primary School P&C AGM
  • Friday Playgroup
  • School Student Banking

Cancelled
The following events have been cancelled, a new date will not be set.

  • Boys Cricket Cup
  • Summer Sports Carnival
  • Easter Bonnet Parade
  • Girls Glory Cup
  • Wednesday Icy Poles
  • All School Assemblies

Attendance

Today, we had 143 students who were not at school. Whilst a large proportion of those who were not at school were legitimately sick, we did not hear from a large number of families.

As directed by the Department of Education, students whose parents have chosen to keep them home, without seeking medical advice, will not be provided curriculum work and activities. The priority for staff is to maintain focus on classroom learning programs. In the event of a temporary school closure, further advice will be provided.

If you are self-isolating due to acknowledged and identified risk factors by the Department of Health, or any family members who have been directed by the Health Department to self-isolate, please keep your child off and advise the school office via email, Connect or the absentee notification link.

Please keep sick children who are genuinely sick at home.  Children with bad coughs, sore throats, sneezing and so forth.  This will reduce the work load and stress levels of all at school. Please advise the school office via email, Connect or the absentee notification link.

https://mindarieprimary.wa.edu.au/absentee-notification/

Thank you in advance for your support. If you wish to discuss any of the above, please phone the school. Please be assured that we will provide you with updates as we are provided with them.

Kind regards

Barbara Bromley
Principal
March 19 2020COVID

COVID-19 Update – 17/03/2020

COVID-19 Update – 17/03/2020

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Please take the time to update yourself with the following information with regard to COVID-19 Virus.

Once again, our situation has changed, and another set of directions has been given to schools to digest and appropriate.

Assembly – 19/03/2020
All school assemblies will be cancelled until further notice. This includes the assembly taking place on Thursday the 19/03/2020. We can understand the disappointment of the children and families of TA10, however, the latest instruction of the Department of Education is to reconsider any non-essential event that includes parents on school site. The children involved with this assembly will perform their item for their buddy class, and this will be recorded for parents.

Healthy Habits
Staff have been asked to remind students of existing Healthy Habits, including the following updated rule;

  • Drink fountains are only to be used by students to fill drink bottles.  All students must have their own drink bottle and be directed to use this daily.

Please ensure that all students attend school with a personal drink bottle.

This week, we secured sufficient hand sanitizer for our school. Our cleaning staff have been given extra time to further sanitize classrooms, surfaces, school chairs, full doors and light switches.

School Events – Updated

Postponed
The following events have been postponed, a new date will be set when we have more information. If you have paid, you may contact the school for a refund.

  • Zoo Excursion
  • Ninja Warrior
  • Fathering Project Camp Out
  • Mindarie Primary School P&C AGM

Cancelled
The following events have been cancelled, a new date will not be set.

  • Boys Cricket Cup
  • Summer Sports Carnival
  • Easter Bonnet Parade
  • Girls Glory Cup

Attendance

Today we saw 104 children absent from school. Whilst we understand the fear that exists in the community, it is a directive from the Department of Education that schools are open, and therefore, all children who do not have any risk factors, family in self isolation or family who are at risk, that they come to school.

If you are self-isolating, have risk factors, or any family members in self-isolation, please keep your child off and advise the school office of this fact.  This is a reasonable reason for an absence.

Please keep sick children at home.  Children with bad coughs, sore throats, sneezing and so forth.  This will reduce the work load and stress levels of all at school. Please advise the school office of this by Connect, email, or phone.  This is a reasonable reason for an absence.

Thanks in advance for your support.  If you wish to discuss any of the above, please phone the school.  Please be assured that we will provide you with updates as we are provided with them.

Kind regards

Barbara Bromley
Principal
March 17 2020

COVID-19 Update – 17/03/2020

COVID-19 Update – 16/03/2020

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As you will be aware, strong directions were given this weekend by the Federal and State Governments, aimed at mitigating the outbreak of, and management of the state, with regard to COVID-19 Virus.

Mindarie Primary has paid close attention to what recommendations and requirements have been directed to be put in place.  As you were advised, in last week’s newsletter, the school continues to be proactive in this space and in view of the new requirements, some new school adjustments have been implemented. Clear directions have been given to staff around the management of students in classrooms and also when accessing specialist areas, these include the following:

  • Students, designated by year groups, to playground areas for eating and also for playing. The students will be separated. Staff have been provided with a map outlining these areas.
  • Students only to use their year level toilets at break times and at all other times during the day.
  • Student toilet doors and staff toilet doors are to be propped open during the day to reduce contact.
  • Front office door to be propped open during the day.
  • All classroom entry doors to be propped open during the day.
  • Student drink bottles to be separated when stored.
  • Library is closed at recess and lunch times.
  • Students attending specialist classes and the library are to wash their hands before entering the class.
  • Students are encouraged to use their own equipment.  If not possible, shared equipment use at a minimum.
  • Shared iPads are to be cleaned regularly.
  • Promethean boards are only to be used by teachers.
  • Wipe down computer key boards between students use.
  • No buddy class interactions.

Assembly 19/03/2020
For this week’s assembly, we will observe the requirement of the Australian Government of less than 500 people in a static environment by planning the following:

  • Pre-Primary to Year Three – attend the assembly in the morning, commencing at 8:50.  This will involve 16 staff, 3 admin and 428 students, of which 28 will be on stage.  Student’s will separate out across the area.  Parent attendance is discouraged.
  • Year Four to Six – attend assembly in the afternoon, commencing at 2:15 pm.  This will involve 300 students, 11 staff, 3 Admin. Student’s will separate out across the area. Parent attendance is discouraged.

The assembly format will change, there will be Welcome to Country, National Anthem, two lots of achievement certificates and the class presentation.  No other announcements will be made.  The assembly should last less than 25 minutes.

Healthy Habits
Staff have been asked to remind students regarding Healthy Habits, they will do the following;

  • Revise with students daily about the need to wash hands thoroughly.
  • To cough into their elbows or to cough into a tissue and place it in the bin and then go and wash their hands.
  • To remain away from each other and not to do the following: hi five, hand shaking, hugging and so forth.
  • Refraining from touching their faces, in particular their noses, eyes and mouths.

School Events
Postponed
The following events have been postponed, a new date will be set when we have more information. If you have paid, you may contact the school for a refund.

  • Zoo Excursion
  • Ninja Warrior

Cancelled
The following events have been cancelled, a new date will not be set.

  • Boys Cricket Cup
  • Summer Sports Carnival
  • Easter Bonnet Parade

Still to be Determined
The following events require further consultation and will stand at this time.

  • Fathering Project camp out
  • Girls Glory Cup

ANZAC Ceremony 2020 – Done Differently
This year, our ANZAC service will be streamed to classes from the undercover area.  More on this closer to the time.

How you can help your school, your community and our country at this time.
Please keep sick children at home.  Children with bad coughs, sore throats, sneezing and so forth.  This will reduce the work load and stress levels of all at school.

If you are self-isolating, please also keep your child off and advise the school office of this fact.  This is a reasonable reason for an absence.

Thanks in advance for your support.  If you wish to discuss any of the above, please phone the school.  Please be assured that we will provide you with updates as we are provided with them

Kind regards

Barbara Bromley
Principal
March 16 2020

NAPLAN Online 2020

NAPLAN Online 2020

NAPLAN Online Continues Into 2020

NAPLAN, which is a part of the National Assessment Program (NAP), is how governments, education authorities and schools can determine whether young Australians are reaching important educatonal goals. States and territories determine when their schools commence NAPLAN Online.

This year, our Year 3 and 5 students will once again complete NAPLAN Online for Maths, Reading, Grammar Conventions and Writing (Year 5 only).

NAPLAN online brings many new opportunities for students and teachers that are limited or not possible with paper-based tests. Some of the main benefits of students taking part in NAPLAN Online include:

  • Better assessment – and more precise results. NAPLAN Online uses a tailored test or adaptive design, where the test automatically adapts to a student’s performance and asks questions that match the student achievement level, allowing the student to demonstrate their knowledge.
  • Faster turnaround of results. Delivery of assessments online significantly reduces the time it takes to provide feedback to schools, students and parents, so teachers can respond more quickly to learning needs.
  • More engaging. Research into online assessment has shown that students have engaged well with electronic tests.

As technology develops, The Department of Education aims to further refine the delivery of the tests to best use the available technology to provide increasingly sophisticated assessments and valuable feedback to teachers, parents and education authorities. I implore families to have a look at the Demonstrations and information that is available on the NAPLAN Online website.

https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/naplan-online

There is also an app version on the iOS App Store that can be downloaded at home. The student demonstration tests are a fantastic way to familiarise yourself and your child to the new platform of testing.

If you have any questions relating to NAPLAN Online, please direct them to Mr Gould.

NAPLAN Online – Brochure for Parents and Carers