SEPTEMBER 10th

RETURN TO SCHOOL UPDATE The Victorian Government has released its plan for easing coronavirus (COVID-

19) restrictions. It includes the following decisions about school operations. These

changes remain subject to the advice of Victoria’s Chief Health Officer:

All schools will continue to provide remote and flexible learning for the

remainder of Term 3

From Monday OCTOBER 5th to Friday 9

th October being the first week of

term 4 remote and flexible learning will continue for all students, except in

specialist schools in rural and regional Victoria.

On-site supervision for children of permitted workers and vulnerable

students will continue to be provided consistent with existing guidelines.

1. From Monday 12th OCTOBER being the second week of term 4 -Students in

Prep to Grade 2 return to full-time on-site schooling. The existing remote

learning program will not continue for these year levels.

2. Remote and flexible learning will continue for all students in Grade 3 to Year

10, other than for children of permitted workers and vulnerable students.

All students from Grade 3 to 10 in metropolitan Melbourne will

continue with remote and flexible learning. A date for the return of these

year levels to face-to-face learning will be subject to further health advice.

I know that we are all on the same page in wanting all our students to return to

school as soon as it is safe to do so. Last week we noticed that everyone – kids

and adults, were all feeling the pinch. In mentioning that, the warmer weather this

week and knowledge of a plan to return to normal has certainly lifted peoples

spirits. CONGRATULATIONS everyone on an amazing job during the stage 4

restrictions including remote learning this term.

GROUNDS UPDATE I am thrilled to inform you that the new playground will be completed early next

week. The cricket pitch on the oval is being poured today and preparations are in

place for the installation of steps to the oval and the soccer field. The ground

between the playgrounds and Mountain Highway is being shaped and prepared for

hydro seeding. Beautiful bench seating and above ground planter boxes have

been installed along the pathways into the school from Mountain Highway. Fencing

poles have been placed in several high risk areas with panels to be installed

between them next week. I’ve been informed that top soil and the turf will be laid

on the oval during the holidays – it will be quite dramatic.

TERM 3 13th July - 18th September TERM 4 5th October - 18th December

PRINCIPAL’S NEWS

TREE REMOVAL As I reported in last week’s newsletter we had two large gum tress removed – one

that had fallen over in the parent carpark off Liverpool Rd and the other because

the ground had opened up at its base? We organised the arborist we use regularly

to inspect all trees on our grounds for obvious safety reasons. Following that check

he reported that the tree that had blown over in the carpark had an unusually

shallow root system and on inspection found the tree had grown on top of asphalt,

making this large tree very dangerous. (Please see attached photographs)

On checking the remaining large trees in this carpark he found that nearly all

had grown over asphalt. Not wanting to risk anyone’s safety in the future we

have decided to have the dangerous trees removed and weigh reduction carried

out on the rest. Once removed and following the completion of our current major

grounds work (now predicted to be in the middle of term 4) we will involve the

children in an extensive planting program across the school.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM AROUND THE GRADES PREPS Our Preps are continuing their amazing Reading and spent last week learning all

about Money in our Maths sessions. The children discussed the importance of

money in our everyday lives and made a list of what essential items we need money for. We introduced the Australian

coins and the children placed them in order from most to least. We asked the children to give monetary values to some of

their toys and place them in order based on their value. Throughout last week the children were busy making some very

special gifts to give Dad on Father’s Day. They enjoyed making Father’s Day cards and writing letters to Dad telling them

how special they are .It was lovely to read all the lovely letters they wrote to their Dad!

MATHS CHALLENGE Last week we had 16 students from Grades 4 and 5 represent The Basin at an online Maths Challenge Day, hosted by

Boronia K-12. There were 10 challenges that our students worked in teams to complete. We are so proud of the way they

worked together! (form attached below)

GRADE 2’S The grade 2's have the Potato Games happening this week and next. We had our Opening Ceremony and showed off our potato athletes. We are having fun competing in the 7 events and measuring the results. There is a little video clip from some grade 2's in assembly this week showing their potato athletes off!

GRADE 3’s Our Grade 3’s have been keeping busy through the last week of remote learning. Having continued their focus on diversity there has been lots of writing and reflections on how everyone has differences that can be celebrated. It’s been great to see the fun ways students have engaged in learning about division with a range of activities. A highlight last week was a whole level drawing session with Mrs Dury, and students this week are looking forward to an AUSLAN session with Mrs Harvey, and a cooking session with Mrs Stephens. Hopefully lots of our Grade 3 kitchens will be filled with the lovely aroma of Banana and Raspberry bread.

GRADE 4’s Our wonderful Grade Four students continue to impress us with all of their hard work and effort throughout Remote Learning 2.0. We have enjoyed providing feedback on many learning tasks over the past week and encourage students to keep submitting portfolio tasks right up until the end of the term. We especially loved reading (and having a giggle at) the Google Slides presentations students created for their Dad/Special Person to share with them on Father’s Day.

Last week also saw our students finish a four week teaching and learning unit on multiplication. It was terrific to see the engagement in learning strategies such as lattice and vertical multiplication. Well done everyone! We would also like to thank Mrs Harvey who ran a ‘Sign Language’ session teaching us the basics of AUSLAN. Lots of students attended this session and now know some ways to communicate with those that are hearing impaired. Our ‘Signs of Spring’ photo competition finished and our ‘mystery’ judge now has the difficult task of picking a winner. The winner will be announced on Friday. Here are our wonderful finalist’s photos for you to enjoy.

GRADE 1’s

The 1S Art Gallery - Colourful Creations During our class meeting, we completed a listening and drawing activity to create a picture of a bird. We also shared some of the wonderful artwork we have been doing during remote learning to create our own Art Gallery!

FATHER’S DAY – Grade 1 Style We cooked dad breakfast on Father's Day and gave him presents we made - Cooper H

We had a cheese platter in front of our campfire - Grace H

Jack went for a special bike ride with his Dad - Jack V

I gave him some presents - Jude H

We gave homemade cards and presents in bed. We then had a lovely walk to Spoonville and left our wooden spoon creations - Nathaniel M

We went to the park with my dad to play with the frisbee we gave him - From Ewan

We cooked marshmallows on the fire and gave dad handmade cards - Indi H I made a special coffee for my day - Panna C

We cooked marshmallows on a fire out the back and made dad pizza for dinner - From Addy B

We set up a hammock by the fire and enjoyed a lazy day with dad - Micah D

Lastly we look forward to our last week of Remote Learning 2.0 as we count down the days until school holidays where we can all enjoy a well-deserved break!

Graeme Russell

SEPTEMBER 7th Max T Oliver G Elias H 8th Isla H Maegan B 10th Logan C Layla T Anthony P Jade V N 11th Sianna S Avery R 12th Zander B