ISSUE 11

Things to Know

Important Dates

Preschool Reptile Man Incursion Purple and Red Group - Tuesday 2 August 2022

Preschool Reptile Man Incursion Blue Group - Thursday 4 August 2022

Year 1 National Zoo and Aquarium Excursion - Monday 8 August 2022

Term 3 Staff Planning Days (Pupil Free) - Friday 5 August (Week 3) and

Friday 9 September (Week 8)

Chris Shaddock

Principal

Principal's Address

Dear Kaleen Community,


Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful break with your family and friends and are ready for an action-packed Term 3. This term, we are engaging in the School Review process as a part of a 5 year School Improvement Cycle. In Week 5, a team of external reviewers will visit the school to assess our progress against our School Improvement Plan and the nine domains of the National School Improvement Tool. Our current priorities continue to focus on enhancing literacy, numeracy and student centred learning practices, STEM, Sustainability programs and our Positive Behaviours for Learning and Cultural Integrity initiatives. All teachers are working in one of our School Improvement Teams (SITs) to create evidence based plans to enhance outcomes in these areas. Please read on to hear about the happenings in and around the school.

Newsletter Survey

We continue to seek your feedback on how we can improve our communication with the Kaleen community. We monitor the number of families that access the school newsletter and have captured some anecdotal feedback from parents, but would love to hear your ideas about what we can do to further improve. Please click here to fill out a short survey about the school newsletter.


Updated Covid19 Protocols

BASELINE RISK CONTROLS -The baseline risk controls remain unchanged from term 2 2022. COVID smart behaviours continue to be strongly encouraged, including physical distancing where possible, practising good hand and respiratory hygiene practices, and staying home if unwell. Staff and visiting parents are also encouraged to wear a face mask while indoors.

ADDITIONAL CONTROLS - When there are high numbers of COVID-19 exposures at our school, consideration will be given to whether any of the following additional COVID-19 Safety Measures should be temporarily reintroduced, with authorisation from the Education Directorate COVID Response Team. These measures aim to limit the potential for further transmission and will generally be limited to a short period of time (eg 1-2 weeks).

· Additional testing recommendations - such as to test before returning to school and again in 48 hours.

· Masks - Staff and visitors may be required to wear a mask when indoors and when physical distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained.

· Limiting parents and carers on site - Parents and carers may be asked not to attend a school site without an appointment.

· Cancelling permitted activities - Any of non essential activities, may be cancelled or rescheduled to another date.

· Cohorting - It may be necessary to cohort a particular class or year level so that they don’t mix with other students or staff across the school.

· Remote learning - Some or all students may need to return to remote learning for short periods of time. This measure will be limited as much as possible, however may also be enacted in response to workforce shortages arising from COVID-19.

RAPID ANTIGEN TESTING - Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) will continue to be available and provided on an as needed basis for all staff and students for term 3. Participation in Rapid Antigen Testing is voluntary. Positive test results are to be reported to the school and staff are to comply with Public Health Directions regarding declaring test results and isolation requirements.

HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS - On 20 April 2022 the ACT Government endorsed ACT Health’s recommendation to change the public health directions for COVID-19 household contact quarantine. As per this agreement, from 26 April 2022, household contacts are no longer required to quarantine provided they comply with certain requirements:

· Have no symptoms of COVID-19

· Wear a facemask in indoor settings (this applies to students in years 7-12)

· Work and/or study from home where it is practicable to do so

· If seeking to attend work or study – where it is not practicable to do so from home – undertake RAT testing every 48 hours

· Test before entering an unavoidable indoor gathering

· Not enter a high-risk setting – which does not apply to education settings

· Minimise social contact and movement in the community


Thanks for your ongoing support.


Bye for now,

Chris Shaddock

Principal


Kindergarten celebrate 100 Days of School

Today our Kindergarten students celebrated 100 Days of School. They enjoyed making funny face biscuit treats, portraits and posters about 100. See photos below of their wonderful 100 Day dress up and activities.

Preschool News

During the holidays our new xylophone was installed in our Preschool playground. The children have loved being outdoors creating music. The melodic tunes are simply beautiful.

Athletics Carnival 2022

Last term saw students from Year 2-6 participate in our annual Senior Kaleen Primary Athletics Carnival. Students, teachers, Intern and prac students engaged with enthusiasm in the 10 different rotation activities on offer.


As can be expected, our students brought the best of sporting attitudes to their efforts on the day, encouraging and supporting each other, and working together to ensure a fun day for all.


Congratulations to everyone for the high levels of participation, support, encouragement and fun experienced throughout the day.

Thanks to everyone who came to support the students on the chilly day.


Congratulations to the winning house Murrumbidgee.


The Belconnen Region Track and Field Carnival will be held on Thursday 18th August at the AIS. Attached are the results from the carnival.


Attached are the results from the carnival. Not all students who placed will qualify to go to the next carnival. Students will be notified and will receive a note closer to the date.

Nikki Van Huizen

Heroes' Corner

Big Congratulations to Quinn Galbraith 6SB. He represented Canberra at the York Cup U11 Hockey carnival in Tamworth at the end of term 2. Amazing work Quinn!

If you would like to have your child's achievement acknowledged here, please email a short blurb to KaleenPSAdmin@ed.act.edu.au

Community

The Kaleen-Giralang-Lawson area has three units meeting in Kaleen on Wednesdays: 6:00 – 7.30 pm for girls 5-10 years; and 6.00 – 8.00 pm for girls aged 10+ years. Other units meeting nearby also offer alternative nights to accommodate girls who can not attend on Wednesday nights. All girls are very welcome. Inquiries to: Bev on 0417 485737.