Principal's Piece
We have enjoyed having our Prep and Year 1 students return to school. We are so proud with how well they have returned back to school, with the changes required. It has been lovely to see smiling faces greeting us at the gates and lots of bravery leaving mum and dad at this point. Thank you to all families for preparing them for their return to school and your positivity with them in coming back to school.
Last Friday we held a picnic lunch with the Prep and Year 1 students, to celebrate their return and enjoyed some fun and games!
This week, as announced by Premier Palaszczuk, on advice from the State’s Chief Health Officer will be our final week delivering remote learning, with the remaining learners in Years Two to Six scheduled to return on Monday 25 May.
Please ensure that you have spoken with your child's medical practitioner and the school if you have any concerns around their return to school, due to any medical conditions. Based on medical advice you provide us with, we can develop plans to support your child's learning.
Well Done Team Calliope!
We would like to applaud and acknowledge the outstanding efforts of all members of the Calliope State School Teaching Team over the past few weeks. The amazing work of our teachers in developing their knowledge and skills to transform their teaching from a face to face platform to an online format is to be commended. The quality of their resources, catering for all levels and quickly adapting the formatting of the lessons based on parent feedback was fabulous.
The outstanding work of our Teacher Aide, Administration and Cleaning Teams is also recognised. Their work has included managing daily absences, ensuring the safe arrival and departure of students, providing face to face supervision and maintaining a safe and healthy site for all through ongoing cleaning. Well done everyone.
We also acknowledge our amazing parent community for your cooperation, consideration and patience. The past few weeks have been a challenging time and a test of our resilience. Your respect of the legislated requirements regarding school attendance, social distancing and embracing the measures put in place to ensure a continuity of learning for every learner, every day is appreciated.
Staffing Changes
This week we say farewell to Mrs Leisa Bashford as she takes maternity leave from Friday. Ms Bridie Turpeinen will teach 2B for the remainder of the year. We wish Leisa and her family all the very best as they await the arrival of the newest family member. Last week we also farewelled Miss Tayla Bradley from the office, as she awaits a lovely new addition to her family as well!
We welcome some new staff to our Calliope teaching team for the remainder of the term, as they will cover classes for our staff continuing to work from home. Miss Laura Williams will be teaching 6A, while Ms Christine Johnston moves to teach 4D and Ms Emily Davis will teach 3A. They have all started with us this week to get to know the Calliope staff and students.
Reading
Our school improvement agenda this year focuses on reading. There are lots of benefits of reading!
Please be advised that at the current time, home readers and library books won’t be sent home. Class teachers will be sending home an email with details on how to access free online books from the Department of Education.
Uniforms
Now that the weather is turning a little cooler, especially in the mornings, students are starting to wear their jumpers and long pants to school. We ask that when purchasing clothing for the cooler months, that you adhere to the school Uniform Policy. Jumpers / coats can be purchased from the Uniform Shop or a royal blue jumper is required. Bottoms are black track pants or black pants.
What’s Your Pick Up Plan?
For our Year 2-6 students and families returning to school next week, make sure you have read the detailed information about pickups and drop offs found later in the newsletter and have discussed your children’s travel plans.
- Please do not crowd the gates or footpaths- remember your 1.5m!
- Delay your pick up by 5 minutes- gates will remained staffed until 3:30pm or there are no children left to be collected
- Stay in your cars- use STOP, DROP and GO- don’t forget your name on the sun visor.
Free Dress Day
During May, we acknowledge the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention month. We will be holding a Free Dress Day (wear purple) on Friday 29 May. We ask that if you wear purple, you donate a gold coin to support this cause.
P&C Day
This Friday we celebrate P&C Day. We are fortunate to have a dedicated and hardworking team at Calliope State School. They support our students, staff and community in many ways throughout the year. Thank you to our executive team and all members of the P&C for all that you do. We appreciate you!
