We sincerely thank parents and carers for the support you are giving your child/ren and for the understanding you are showing to our school staff as they respond to this unique situation. It is important we continue to ensure our schools are safe and positive places for our children during these challenging times.

As always, the health and wellbeing of your child/ren, and our staff, remain our focus. We thank you for your continued understanding and support with adjustments to routines and procedures as we implement ongoing recommendations from the Department of Education. We continue to take advice from Queensland Health in relation to this matter and the latest information is available on the Queensland Health website at www.qld.gov.au/health/ conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19. It is likely that these circumstances will be in place for many months ahead and we will all continue to work together in the interest of our school and our school communities.

Attached to this newsletter is a Principal update which contains more essential information. Please take the time to read this in full.

Social Distancing – how can you help?

To support our school environment we ask that non-essential visits to the school do not occur and the following processes are followed:

• No visitor including parent/caregiver is to enter the school if sick;
• Where possible, drop students off and pick them up at the front gates, at the car park or at the Stop, Drop and Go;
• Please limit requirements to go to classrooms, if you must enter a classroom, please ensure you have washed your hands;
• No classroom helpers are required at this time;
• All student collections during the school day will be via the front office;
• Respect social distancing advice.

We have opened up additional spaces for play and eating breaks to allow students to spread out more during these times.

We ask where possible students do not arrive at school until 9am.

We ask that you check our Facebook page and your emails regularly for further updates.

Contact Details

Please ensure your contact details, including email address and phone numbers are up to date. This includes emergency contacts on your list. Please phone the office on 4975 8333 to make any changes.

School Attendance

We understand that at this time, some families are deciding to keep their child/ren at home. If this is your decision, please make sure you let the office staff know so that we can update their attendance records accordingly. Please contact your class teacher via email for information about school work.

Playgroup cancelled

The Play2Learn Playgroup will not be operating at Calliope School for the remainder of the term. Thank you for your understanding.

International Read to Me Day

Last Thursday I enjoyed visiting classrooms to read to students for International Read to Me Day. As reading is our school improvement focus for 2020, classes shared a wide variety of texts. Thank you to 1C, 3/4E and 5B for inviting me to your classroom to read.

On Friday, we acknowledged Bullying No Way! Day at Calliope School. Students were able to wear orange to school and classes worked on a variety of activities.

As a school, we acknowledge the work of all of our school staff during this rapidly evolving situation. It is evident through their prompt and responsive actions that they continue to work towards ensuring the best outcomes for our students.

Please ensure that you look after yourselves during this time and thank you for your ongoing support and commitment.

Regards 

Raelene Norris

Deputy Principal