Covid Safe

Last term we were heavily impacted by Covid related absences and we hope that this term is a healthier one for our school community. We ask that you help by keeping home your child if they are unwell or have any cold or flu like symptoms. If students have symptoms we ask you to do a RAT or PCR test. While masks are not mandated, they are highly recommended when indoors. If you are collecting a sick child from school, please make sure you check in with Kitty or Bernadette in the new office before leaving the school. The sign in/out books are in the hallway near the staffroom, but we do ask you to let us know in the office if you need to take your child early.

Last Day of Term 2

Thanks to Caroline and helpers for the soup on the last day of Term. There were lots of happy children toasting and eating marshmallows after having some delicious soup!

POHAG tree planting

Prep-2 students worked with the Post Office Hill Action Group this week to plant seedlings in the bush area behind the school. They are carefully staked so please be careful if you are using the back entrance when walking to the school.

Thanks to Andrew, Marie and Sue from POAG, and Anna from Connecting Country, for giving up their time to work with the students.

This term Prep-2 will be working closely with Connecting Country to learn more about local flora and fauna. This is funded through the Frank Carpenter Trust. The sessions will cover nest boxes, nature journals, Aboriginal culture of the area and Landcare (restoring habitat and landscapes). Stay tuned for students to share their learning.

Communications

During our School Review in Term 1 it was noted that a change in communication with families was needed. While the learning was really visible during remote learning, our communication since has needed to improve. This has also come up in our Student Learning Conferences and we would like you to give us some suggestions on what you would like to see. Please leave your feedback/ suggestions here.

Do you ask your child when you see them after school what they have done and get "Nothing" as a response? Often children are tired and hungry and talking about school is the last thing on their mind. Sometimes children are bursting to share their news as soon as they see you. Engaging your child in a conversation about their day is often a great meal time activity, where everyone can share something about their day. Questions that could be asked include: What fun things did you do today? Who did you play with today? What book did you/ your teacher read today? What were you working on in maths? What strategy are you learning in reading this week? What is your reading/writing/maths goal? What was the best thing you did at school today? Often you will get more information with specific questions. Don't forget to talk about and use the Kimochis home links as well to support your child's social and emotional learning.

Wellbeing News

By Linda Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator

Berry Street Education Model

Chewton Primary School has embarked on a learning journey towards implementing some of the Berry Street Education (BSEM) strategies in our daily practice. BSEM is an education initiative based on proven positive education, trauma-informed and wellbeing practices that enable students’ academic and personal growth. Some of the whole school strategies that have been implemented are brain breaks, morning circles and ready to learn scales.

Brain breaks are mental breaks designed to help students stay focused and attentive. The brain breaks get students moving to carry blood and oxygen to the brain. The breaks can either energise or relax as needed.

Morning Circles are a daily routine that support student engagement, build wellbeing, and create a positive classroom community.

Ready to learn scales are a system used by students in classrooms to identify difficult emotions or stress.

STEM with John this week

This week students did bridge building, including learning a little about Leonardo Da Vinci, and trying to make his parabolic-arch bridge design.

Make an offer

We have a number of shelves, windows and sadly the mezzanine which we will be removing. If you are interested, please get in touch with your best offer. A salvage company will also make an offer but we would love to see these things in your homes. Do you have expertise in building and would like to utilise some of these materials with students on site in a project? We would love to hear from you.