Welcome to Term 4! It has been so exciting to see our ELC in full operation this week. Attendance has been excellent and indicative of all our families’ readiness to return to onsite learning. We are looking forward to welcoming all Prep to Year 6 students back on Monday!
Some families may feel anxious about bringing their children back school; however, I want to reassure you that much preparation has been undertaken in planning for the students’ return. Supporting the health, wellbeing and safety of our children and staff is a high priority. The procedures implemented previously will continue, including extra hygiene measures, hand washing and temperature checks for all students upon entry, as well as regular handwashing, extra cleaning of the School and supporting good hygiene habits with the children such as coughing into the elbow throughout the day.
The advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) is that Schools are low-risk environments, and they can currently operate safely with appropriate health and safety measures in place. Restrictions on early childhood services and primary schools were put in place to reduce the number of people moving around the community, not because they are unsafe places for children or staff.
A big focus in supporting our students’ return to School will be on rebuilding relationships, reconnecting with class peers and enjoying face-to-face teaching across the curriculum. We look forward to sharing some of joy of the students’ reconnection with you.
Staff News
I am delighted to announce the appointment of Pip Turner to the role of Lower Primary Co-ordinator and Prep–Year 6 English Co-ordinator, commencing in 2021. Pip is currently Assistant Principal at Hartwell Primary, and previously was Literacy Coach at Camberwell South Primary, where she led significant whole-school changes to support excellence in teaching and learning in English. She is passionate about literacy, and in 2017 completed a Masters of Education, majoring in Literacy and Language at the University of Melbourne.
Mikl Longstaff is taking long service leave for four days a week this term. He will continue to take Prep Art. Kylie Crampton, who is currently working at Donvale, has been appointed to replace Mikl on Thursday and Friday, taking Year 1 and 2. Kylie comes highly recommended and is looking forward to joining the Carey Kew art team. Our current Upper Primary Art teacher, Rebecca Johnston, will be taking Mikl’s Year 3 classes.
Libby Russell
Head of Junior School Kew
