Principal Piece
HELMETS – BICYCLES & SCOOTERS
We have observed a number of students riding their bikes and scooters to and from school without a helmet. This unsafe behaviour is highly concerning.
Wearing a helmet always helps to protect your child against serious head injuries. In all Australian states and territories, helmets are compulsory for riding bikes. Wearing a helmet always helps to protect your child against serious head injuries.
Here are tips for finding the safest helmet for bikes and scooters:
- Make sure that the helmet is made to Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2063:2008. Look for the Australian Standards label.
- Take your child with you when buying a helmet to make sure it’s properly fitted.
- Do the ‘push test’ to make sure the helmet is a snug fit. If you can push the helmet backwards, forwards or sideways once you’ve done up the clips, it’s too big.
- Don’t buy a second-hand helmet – there’s no way of knowing if the previous owner has damaged it in an accident.
- Always replace helmets after an impact or accident.
When your child is wearing a bike, scooter or skateboarding helmet, the chinstrap should always be firmly fastened and not twisted.
DAY FOR DOLLY - FRIDAY 13 MAY
'Speak, even if your voice shakes' was the message fourteen year old Amy “Dolly” Everett left behind in January 2018, when she took her own life after becoming a victim of ongoing cyberbullying. Online bullying can have a devastating impact on young people, whose online life is a key part of their identity and how they interact socially.
On Friday 13 May, our students stand together against bullying, making kindness the norm at our school, on the inaugural 'Do It For Dolly Day'. We are encouraging our students to attend school wearing their Akubra hat or Slouch hat on Friday
Kindness can make people shine, whether you’re the person giving or receiving a kind gesture. A kind gesture has an immense transformative power, it can turn a negative experience into a positive one, build trust and promote forgiveness.
WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY – MAY 20
On Walk Safely to School Day, we will be encouraging the students to walk with their parents or caregiver to school. The Calliope State School Leadership Team will also be walking to school with students on the morning of May 20. Walk Safely to School DAY encourages healthy habits as well as teaching vital road safety skills.
Primary school aged children across Australia will make those important steps towards a healthier future by participating in National Walk Safely to School Day on Friday 20 May 2022. National Walk Safely to School Day is a community initiative that aims to raise awareness of the health, road safety, transport and environmental benefits that regular walking (especially to and from school) can provide for the long term well-being of our children.
Now in its 23rd year, the annual event has joined forces with National Road Safety Week (15 – 22 May) to further draw the spotlight on road safety and support the importance of regular walking, not just on 20 May, but every day.
NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK
We will be celebrating National Reconciliation Week (NRW) at Calliope State School with our school community on Monday May 30 at 3.15pm. More details will be provided to invited participants in the coming week.
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National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements. NRW, which is held from 27 May to 3 June, provides an opportunity for all of us to explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. This year’s theme is: “Be Brave. Make Change”, which presents a challenge to all Australians to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation for the benefit of all Australians. The dates for NRW commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey: the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision, respectively. For more information and some great resources, head to the NRW website. |
COVID UPDATE
New requirements for close contacts
From 6pm on Thursday 28 April 2022, close contacts who do not have COVID-19 symptoms no longer need to quarantine.
Students who are close contacts must notify their school that they are a close contact
For 7 days after becoming a close contact, students over the age of 12 must wear a face mask while outside of their home, including at school, and when outdoors if unable to physically distance. Queensland Health also recommends that children under the age of 12 wear a face mask when it is safe to do so.
It is recommended that students undertake a rapid antigen test (RAT) on the first day they leave home, and every second day (e.g. days 2, 4, and 6) until they are no longer a close contact.
Close contacts who develop COVID-19 symptoms must not attend school and should isolate until their symptoms resolve.
If you or your child tests positive to COVID-19
Queensland Health requirements for people who test positive to COVID-19 remain unchanged. You must follow the Queensland Health guidelines outlined in the first steps to take if you have COVID-19.
Face masks
As a gentle reminder, masks continue to be required in certain settings for anyone aged 12 years or older, such as when travelling on public transport. They are also recommended whenever you can't physically distance.
Anyone who chooses to wear a mask at school will be supported to do so.
I will continue to keep you informed of any changes to our response to COVID-19.
FINAL THOUGHT
Regards
Coralie Ditchmen
Acting Principal