ASCOT NEWS
27th March 2020, Term 1, Issue 6
We value:
Respect Responsibility Excellence Empathy Gratitude
Respect Responsibility Excellence Empathy Gratitude
ASCOT NEWS
IMPORTANT HOLIDAY REMINDERS FOR AVPS FAMILIES
FROM THE PRINCIPAL TEAM
MOST IMPORTANT HOLIDAY REMINDER FOR AVPS FAMILIES
Please enjoy this time to connect with your children and family and to focus on the things that matter the most to you.
Please do not worry about home learning; we have a plan for this. When staff return to work after the holidays, we will provide families with the information and links to enable home learning to occur. We will be there to support you along the way and look forward to reconnecting with you in new and imaginative ways.
Now is a time for relaxation, play and creativity. Let your imaginations run free with all the fun things you can do together at home. We have a couple of ideas to share with you (thanks to the wonderful Annie!!) -“30 Day Lego Challenge” & “50 things to do with a stick”. See images below. Have fun coming up with your own holiday adventures and projects at home.
We have also provided families, who receive the Camps Sports Excursion Fund, a holiday pack of art/craft materials, activity sheets, drawing books and a gratitude diary to help keep children busy, creative and engaged over the holiday period. See attachment for details about this. We are sorry that we couldn’t send a pack to everyone but do suggest families who can, set up a craft box, gratitude diary and sketch books, if you haven’t already done so. See Gratitude Diary Instructions attached and be sure to read instruction 4 to your children:
Wednesday 15th April is the first official day of term 2 for students, Tuesday 14th April is a Pupil Free Day. We will communicate our remote learning strategy to our community on this day (Tue 14/04/2020), which we anticipate will involve a plan that will be realistic, achievable and supportive of families in a complex time.
Please enjoy this time to connect with your children and family and to focus on the things that matter the most to you.
Please do not worry about home learning; we have a plan for this. When staff return to work after the holidays, we will provide families with the information and links to enable home learning to occur. We will be there to support you along the way and look forward to reconnecting with you in new and imaginative ways.
Now is a time for relaxation, play and creativity. Let your imaginations run free with all the fun things you can do together at home. We have a couple of ideas to share with you (thanks to the wonderful Annie!!) -“30 Day Lego Challenge” & “50 things to do with a stick”. See images below. Have fun coming up with your own holiday adventures and projects at home.
We have also provided families, who receive the Camps Sports Excursion Fund, a holiday pack of art/craft materials, activity sheets, drawing books and a gratitude diary to help keep children busy, creative and engaged over the holiday period. See attachment for details about this. We are sorry that we couldn’t send a pack to everyone but do suggest families who can, set up a craft box, gratitude diary and sketch books, if you haven’t already done so. See Gratitude Diary Instructions attached and be sure to read instruction 4 to your children:
- INSTRUCTION 4. Try to do one ‘random act of kindness’ for your family members each day, For example, help tidy up the house without being asked. Offer to help with things like gardening, sweeping, making beds, co-operating with siblings.
Wednesday 15th April is the first official day of term 2 for students, Tuesday 14th April is a Pupil Free Day. We will communicate our remote learning strategy to our community on this day (Tue 14/04/2020), which we anticipate will involve a plan that will be realistic, achievable and supportive of families in a complex time.
Stay well, stay grateful, stay kind
Sue Osborne & Michael Downing,
AVPS Principal Team
Sue Osborne & Michael Downing,
AVPS Principal Team
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MORE REMINDERS
HOLIDAY COMMUNICATIONS
Please use the school email if you need to communicate with AVPS over the holiday period: [email protected]
REFUNDS / REIMBURSEMENTS / CREDIT NOTES
We are working on a plan to provide families either refunds or credits for various events that have been cancelled due to COVID - 19. We acknowledge that this would be helpful for families, our Business Manager, Kylie, will be working with her Business Manager network to establish the correct practice, following DET guidelines, to ensure this work can be done as a priority from first week of term 2. We anticipate we will have many families who will appreciate this and are very keen to support them all ASAP.
HOLIDAY ENTRY TO THE SCHOOL GROUNDS
Due to COVOD – 19 advice, entry to school grounds over the holiday period needs to be limited to those who have an essential need to be here such as school staff, external support services, cleaners and essential facilities and maintenance staff. Parents/students, community members may enter the site ONLY by prior arrangement. The school gates will therefore be locked over the holidays. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.
COVID – 19 INFORMATION / LINKS
ABC News Podcast - Dr Norman Swan Explains COVID – 19 to children Released on 27/03/2020. Please consider whether this podcast might be beneficial for your child / children. Please listen to it first before deciding to share with your child / children.
Whilst advice and information is changing rapidly, the following information and list of resources have been provided by the Department of Education and Training and may be useful to support communication with Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) families regarding coronavirus (COVID-19).
Health
Education
All government schools are able to access funded telephone interpreter services through VITS Language Loop to support communication with CALD families:
HOLIDAY COMMUNICATIONS
Please use the school email if you need to communicate with AVPS over the holiday period: [email protected]
REFUNDS / REIMBURSEMENTS / CREDIT NOTES
We are working on a plan to provide families either refunds or credits for various events that have been cancelled due to COVID - 19. We acknowledge that this would be helpful for families, our Business Manager, Kylie, will be working with her Business Manager network to establish the correct practice, following DET guidelines, to ensure this work can be done as a priority from first week of term 2. We anticipate we will have many families who will appreciate this and are very keen to support them all ASAP.
HOLIDAY ENTRY TO THE SCHOOL GROUNDS
Due to COVOD – 19 advice, entry to school grounds over the holiday period needs to be limited to those who have an essential need to be here such as school staff, external support services, cleaners and essential facilities and maintenance staff. Parents/students, community members may enter the site ONLY by prior arrangement. The school gates will therefore be locked over the holidays. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.
COVID – 19 INFORMATION / LINKS
ABC News Podcast - Dr Norman Swan Explains COVID – 19 to children Released on 27/03/2020. Please consider whether this podcast might be beneficial for your child / children. Please listen to it first before deciding to share with your child / children.
Whilst advice and information is changing rapidly, the following information and list of resources have been provided by the Department of Education and Training and may be useful to support communication with Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) families regarding coronavirus (COVID-19).
Health
- The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have translated information for people from CALD backgrounds. This information includes factsheets and promotional materials. These information sheets are currently available in 48 languages.
- The Department of Health (Federal) have developed a range of resources about COVID-19 in Arabic, Vietnamese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Farsi, Italian and Korean. The resources include fact sheets, guidelines and other publications.
- Health Translations Victoria also have a collated list of translated health information:
Education
All government schools are able to access funded telephone interpreter services through VITS Language Loop to support communication with CALD families:
- Use an interpreter or translator
- School policy- interpreting and translation services
- Fact Sheet- How to work with a telephone interpreter
- For Schools- Learning from home
- FUSE- Learning from home
- For Parents- Learning from home- the information on this webpage will be progressively translated into community languages.
KEY DATES
Term 2, 2020
Tue 14th Apr - Pupil Free Day - Compass Alert will be sent to families outlining arrangements for term 2.
Wed 15th Apr - 1st Day Term 2 - for children
Term 2, 2020
Tue 14th Apr - Pupil Free Day - Compass Alert will be sent to families outlining arrangements for term 2.
Wed 15th Apr - 1st Day Term 2 - for children
Term Dates 2020 |
TERM 1 - 29 Jan - 27 Mar |
TERM 2 - STARTS WEDNESDAY 15 Apr - 26 Jun |
TERM 3 - 13 Jul - 18 Sep |
TERM 4 - 5 Oct - 18 Dec |
Public Holidays 2020 |
TERM 1 - Mon 9 March LABOUR DAY School Closed |
TERM 2 - Mon 13 April EASTER MONDAY School Closed |
TERM 2 - Mon 8 Jun QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY School Closed |
TERM 4 - Tue 3 Nov MELBOURNE CUP DAY School Closed |
Pupil Free Days 2020
Please make alternative arrangements for the care of your child or children on the following dates, as students are not required to attend school on Pupil Free Days and on the Student Led Conference Day (SLC) children are only required to attend at their appointment time:
Please make alternative arrangements for the care of your child or children on the following dates, as students are not required to attend school on Pupil Free Days and on the Student Led Conference Day (SLC) children are only required to attend at their appointment time:
Pupil Free Days 2020 |
TERM 1 - Fri 6 Mar |
TERM 2 - Tue 14 Apr Tue 9 Jun |
SLC TERM 3 -Wed 16 Sep |
TERM 4 - Mon 2 Nov |
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Please click on the heading above to access important reminders for AVPS parents and /or guardians, which are updated fortnightly.
OPTIONAL/ EXTRA CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES @AVPS
Please click on the heading above to discover how your child / children can become involved in extra curricular programs at AVPS.
Please click on the heading above to access important reminders for AVPS parents and /or guardians, which are updated fortnightly.
OPTIONAL/ EXTRA CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES @AVPS
Please click on the heading above to discover how your child / children can become involved in extra curricular programs at AVPS.
AVPS CORONAVIRUS UPDATE - Tuesday 17th March 2020
Dear AVPS parents/guardians & staff,
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation as we navigate our way through unprecedented circumstances. In addition to previous COMPASS alerts, we have prepared a comprehensive range of additional information for you today which is organised into 2 parts:
1)GENERAL INFORMATION
2)ATTENDANCE - TEACHING & LEARNING
1.GENERAL INFORMATION
AVPS is currently operating. Some families are in self-isolation for a variety of reasons. Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has advised that all schools should continue to operate as planned for now. Please refer to the attached statement (below) for more information – “CHO advice to schools 16 March”.
Please be reminded - If a staff member or student at our school is in one of the categories below, the school must take action.
‘Close contact’ is defined by DHHS as someone who has had at least 15 minutes of face-to-face contact with a confirmed case, or shared a closed space with someone for more than two hours with a confirmed case.
AVPS therefore request that parents, guardians and staff please contact the school immediately on 9370 6507 if staff or children fit one of the two categories above.
School Closures
Parents/guardians will be informed directly if there is any prospect that AVPS will be closed, either as a stand-alone school closure or as part of a local or area-based closure. You will then be provided with detailed advice and communication resources to support you through that process.
MVIMP
From today all MVIMP lessons will be suspended for the next 2 weeks. More information will be shared with you when known.
Payments
We are aware that a range of paid activities and school events have been either cancelled or postponed. Please be patient as we navigate through these issues to find the best solution for our school. We will communicate outcomes when known.
Cancellations or Postponed events – updated
Contact details
Please ensure parent, student and staff contact details are updated and accurate. Parents can do this via COMPASS.
Gatherings & Social distancing - Advice
Mass gatherings have the potential for serious public health consequences if they are not planned and managed carefully. From midday Monday 16 March 2020, the following directive came into effect in Victoria that focus on organised gatherings of people:
With this in mind, please consider your options for gathering in groups after school. We recommend parents and students reduce the time spent gathering after school.
Advice from DHHS about transmission reduction measures can be accessed here: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-transmission-reduction-measures
Hygiene & Cleaning
AVPS continues to encourage and remind students and staff to implement and model good hygiene practices. Everyone can protect against infections by practising good hand and respiratory hygiene.
Here are some tips that we all can follow:
Anxiety
During this challenging time we are reminded to do whatever we can to help each other with a kind word or a small act of generosity to build a positive outlook and reduce stress. This is the time to check in on each other and the vulnerable in our community. While being prepared and sensible in this difficult time is important, so are our school values, particularly, Gratitude, Empathy, and Respect, which are all underpinned by kindness. Together, we can support each other through this challenging time. The link below provides information and strategies from Headspace to support young people (and ourselves) cope with stress and anxiety related to covid-19. Crisis and student support services contact details can also be found at this link.
https://headspace.org.au/young-people/how-to-cope-with-stress-related-to-covid-19/
2.ATTENDANCE - TEACHING & LEARNING
Self-Isolating families
Some families are choosing to self-isolate. The Department of Education (DET) recognises that this is an approved absence. The DET encourages parents/ guardians to add an attendance note through COMPASS, including the words “Covid-19” in the comments section in these circumstances.
At this point in time, individual remote learning plans are unavailable as staff currently only have the capacity to manage the teaching and learning of students who are in attendance.
In the meantime, we encourage self-isolating families to be aware of the AVPS teaching and learning focus for the term. See our Curriculum news link at the bottom of our Newsletter page http://avps.vic.edu.au/newsletter.html
Other ideas for home learning activities:
AVPS School Closure Plan
In the event that AVPS closes, staff will provide a more comprehensive teaching, learning and communication plan for all students. At this point in time, specific details are unavailable, however staff will be working on a consistent plan and approach to roll out ‘remote learning plans’ in a systematic way, over the coming days if needed.
In the meantime, please ensure you have access to COMPASS and Class Dojo as these are methods of communication that will be used if AVPS closes.
Kind regards
Sue Osborne & Michael Downing
AVPS Principal Team
And now for a giggle:
Dear AVPS parents/guardians & staff,
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation as we navigate our way through unprecedented circumstances. In addition to previous COMPASS alerts, we have prepared a comprehensive range of additional information for you today which is organised into 2 parts:
1)GENERAL INFORMATION
2)ATTENDANCE - TEACHING & LEARNING
1.GENERAL INFORMATION
AVPS is currently operating. Some families are in self-isolation for a variety of reasons. Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has advised that all schools should continue to operate as planned for now. Please refer to the attached statement (below) for more information – “CHO advice to schools 16 March”.
Please be reminded - If a staff member or student at our school is in one of the categories below, the school must take action.
- The staff member or student is a confirmed case of COVID-19
- The staff member or student is a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days
‘Close contact’ is defined by DHHS as someone who has had at least 15 minutes of face-to-face contact with a confirmed case, or shared a closed space with someone for more than two hours with a confirmed case.
AVPS therefore request that parents, guardians and staff please contact the school immediately on 9370 6507 if staff or children fit one of the two categories above.
School Closures
Parents/guardians will be informed directly if there is any prospect that AVPS will be closed, either as a stand-alone school closure or as part of a local or area-based closure. You will then be provided with detailed advice and communication resources to support you through that process.
MVIMP
From today all MVIMP lessons will be suspended for the next 2 weeks. More information will be shared with you when known.
Payments
We are aware that a range of paid activities and school events have been either cancelled or postponed. Please be patient as we navigate through these issues to find the best solution for our school. We will communicate outcomes when known.
Cancellations or Postponed events – updated
- Fresh Fruit Friday
- Friday Icy poles
- School Council & Sub Committees
- School Tours
- Divisional Swimming Carnival- 17th March
- Young Leaders Conference – 20th March
- Interschool Sport from 20th March
- Year 3 / 4 Camp – 15-17th April
- Year 3-6 Swimming
- Assemblies
Contact details
Please ensure parent, student and staff contact details are updated and accurate. Parents can do this via COMPASS.
Gatherings & Social distancing - Advice
Mass gatherings have the potential for serious public health consequences if they are not planned and managed carefully. From midday Monday 16 March 2020, the following directive came into effect in Victoria that focus on organised gatherings of people:
- The organising, attending or allowing of non-essential mass gatherings of 500 or more people will be prohibited.
With this in mind, please consider your options for gathering in groups after school. We recommend parents and students reduce the time spent gathering after school.
Advice from DHHS about transmission reduction measures can be accessed here: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-transmission-reduction-measures
Hygiene & Cleaning
AVPS continues to encourage and remind students and staff to implement and model good hygiene practices. Everyone can protect against infections by practising good hand and respiratory hygiene.
Here are some tips that we all can follow:
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing with a tissue, or cough into your elbow.
- Dispose of the tissue into a bin and then wash your hands afterwards.
- Wash your hands regularly using soap and water, including after using the toilet, and before eating.
- Minimise hand contact – SUGGESTION: friendly elbow taps to be used instead of high fives and handshakes for the time being.
Anxiety
During this challenging time we are reminded to do whatever we can to help each other with a kind word or a small act of generosity to build a positive outlook and reduce stress. This is the time to check in on each other and the vulnerable in our community. While being prepared and sensible in this difficult time is important, so are our school values, particularly, Gratitude, Empathy, and Respect, which are all underpinned by kindness. Together, we can support each other through this challenging time. The link below provides information and strategies from Headspace to support young people (and ourselves) cope with stress and anxiety related to covid-19. Crisis and student support services contact details can also be found at this link.
https://headspace.org.au/young-people/how-to-cope-with-stress-related-to-covid-19/
2.ATTENDANCE - TEACHING & LEARNING
Self-Isolating families
Some families are choosing to self-isolate. The Department of Education (DET) recognises that this is an approved absence. The DET encourages parents/ guardians to add an attendance note through COMPASS, including the words “Covid-19” in the comments section in these circumstances.
At this point in time, individual remote learning plans are unavailable as staff currently only have the capacity to manage the teaching and learning of students who are in attendance.
In the meantime, we encourage self-isolating families to be aware of the AVPS teaching and learning focus for the term. See our Curriculum news link at the bottom of our Newsletter page http://avps.vic.edu.au/newsletter.html
Other ideas for home learning activities:
- Daily reflections in a writer’s notebook and/or gratitude diary.
- Watch, read then write a review of a favourite movie or book.
- Write a poem or new song.
- Play ‘school’ with siblings – set mathematics challenges for each other.
- Plan a cooking session (with adult supervision). Write a plan, design the table setting and decorations, cook, clean and enjoy the food. Take photos. Write a reflection of the maths, science and social skills that was learnt.
- Practice a musical instrument. Invent your own tune.
- Prepare a performance – dance, drama, comedy, music.
- Skype a friend or grandparent and present your performance to them.
- Redesign the layout of your bedroom. Create a plan, get approval from adults, then do a complete tidy and redesign of your room.
- Re organise the family’s linen cupboard – get approval first, create a plan, sort the items into categories then do it! This can be applied to other cupboard – but ask adults first.
- Go outside and sketch or do water painting on concrete or walls.
- Go outside and take photographs of nature up close. Download and write a report about your discoveries.
- Create a daily schedule with your children. See the example attached (or google others); here’s another example:
AVPS School Closure Plan
In the event that AVPS closes, staff will provide a more comprehensive teaching, learning and communication plan for all students. At this point in time, specific details are unavailable, however staff will be working on a consistent plan and approach to roll out ‘remote learning plans’ in a systematic way, over the coming days if needed.
In the meantime, please ensure you have access to COMPASS and Class Dojo as these are methods of communication that will be used if AVPS closes.
Kind regards
Sue Osborne & Michael Downing
AVPS Principal Team
And now for a giggle:
| cho_advicetoschools_16march2020.pdf |
UPDATED ADVICE TO SCHOOLS - 13th March 2020
On 12th March 2020, the Premier, Minister for Health and Victorian Chief Health Officer announced that preparations are well underway to manage the growing risk of an emerging COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Victoria. They also announced that Victoria is well-prepared to deal with an outbreak, and the Department of Education and Training is working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to plan for and respond to the likely impact on our schools.
If a staff member or student at our school is in one of the categories below, the school must take action.
AVPS therefore request that parents / guardians please phone the school immediately on 9370 6507 if your child fits one of the two categories above. This request applies to and has been communicated to AVPS staff also.
PROTECTION ADVICE
Everyone can protect against infections by practising good hand and respiratory hygiene.
Here are some tips that we all can follow:
Please refer to the Department’s coronavirus web page for the latest advice and information.
UPDATED ADVICE TO SCHOOLS - 2nd February 2020
Nb,Outdated advice has been deleted and web page has been updated
Please refer to the Department’s coronavirus web page https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus , where the latest advice is available.
Please assist by reminding (and modelling to) children good hygiene practices; please also find the following Department of Education and Training resources attached below:
Additional advice and information on the steps to take can be found on the following coronavirus web page:
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
This advice is based on the latest expert recommendations of the Commonwealth’s Chief Medical Officer and Victoria’s Chief Health Officer.
Please contact the school if you have any concerns or queries about this advice.
On 12th March 2020, the Premier, Minister for Health and Victorian Chief Health Officer announced that preparations are well underway to manage the growing risk of an emerging COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Victoria. They also announced that Victoria is well-prepared to deal with an outbreak, and the Department of Education and Training is working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to plan for and respond to the likely impact on our schools.
If a staff member or student at our school is in one of the categories below, the school must take action.
- The staff member or student is a confirmed case of COVID-19
- The staff member or student is a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days
AVPS therefore request that parents / guardians please phone the school immediately on 9370 6507 if your child fits one of the two categories above. This request applies to and has been communicated to AVPS staff also.
PROTECTION ADVICE
Everyone can protect against infections by practising good hand and respiratory hygiene.
Here are some tips that we all can follow:
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing with a tissue, or cough into your elbow.
- Dispose of the tissue into a bin and then wash your hands afterwards.
- Wash your hands regularly using soap and water, including after using the toilet, and before eating.
- Minimise hand contact – SUGGESTION: friendly elbow taps to be used instead of high fives and handshakes for the time being.
Please refer to the Department’s coronavirus web page for the latest advice and information.
UPDATED ADVICE TO SCHOOLS - 2nd February 2020
Nb,Outdated advice has been deleted and web page has been updated
Please refer to the Department’s coronavirus web page https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus , where the latest advice is available.
Please assist by reminding (and modelling to) children good hygiene practices; please also find the following Department of Education and Training resources attached below:
- Novel coronavirus - general advice poster
Additional advice and information on the steps to take can be found on the following coronavirus web page:
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
This advice is based on the latest expert recommendations of the Commonwealth’s Chief Medical Officer and Victoria’s Chief Health Officer.
Please contact the school if you have any concerns or queries about this advice.
| novel_coronavirus_-_general_advice_poster_for_victorians_02feb__1_.pdf |
OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE (OSHC)
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OSHC phone: 0423 795 247
Coordinator: Dee Seneviratne |
How to get started before using our programs you must register online for an account. Registering is quick and easy. Visit our website to begin www.campaustralia.com.au
Once registered you can make bookings and cancellations, view your statements and manage your details anytime of the day online. Keep in mind we are able to take bookings at short notice to help busy families.
Save on Care. You can save 50% or more on Before and After School Care fees with the non-means tested Child Care Rebate. Almost all families are eligible. To find out more, call our Customer Service Team on 1300 105 343 Monday to Friday
Once registered you can make bookings and cancellations, view your statements and manage your details anytime of the day online. Keep in mind we are able to take bookings at short notice to help busy families.
Save on Care. You can save 50% or more on Before and After School Care fees with the non-means tested Child Care Rebate. Almost all families are eligible. To find out more, call our Customer Service Team on 1300 105 343 Monday to Friday
Please access files below to view the OSHC fortnightly report and/or the Camp Australia Holiday Program.
Dee and the OSHC team
Dee and the OSHC team
| newsletter_-_autumn_holiday_club_launch.pdf |
| camp_aust_newsletter_-_recipe.pdf |
