Dear Parents and Carers,

Oh! Here we go again! Hopefully not for too much longer do we have to be in a state of lockdown.

It is really difficult to be in this situation yet again but we do have to place our faith in the science and do what they recommend to ensure not just our own personal safety but our country’s safety.

There are always silver linings to be found in these times and these are some of this week’s that I can think of-

• Year 3 & 4 teachers finalised the activities for the Year 3&4 camp to Philip Island in term 3.
• One of our valued Learning Assistants celebrates a significant birthday this weekend. Happy Birthday Deb Alderson. The staff onsite celebrated with cake!
• Many of the older staff have had their first Astra Zeneca vaccination and none of us got blood clots!
• Our school grounds are looking so much tidier- thank you Nikki!
• Hearing a staff member repeat the hilarious saying ‘Chewing the ear off a donkey!
• Reports on Humpback whale numbers indicate that they are increasing dramatically- they were once nearly extinct!
• Hawthorn football club’s glory days are over- 17^th on the ladder!

So the message is to celebrate the small things and stay positive.

I appreciate that it is a stressful time for many people. I certainly don’t underestimate the impact lockdowns have on families with young children while still trying to maintain work demands and run a family home. It’s impossible!

So do what you can manage. Please do not fall in to the trap of trying to be the ‘super-parent’. There isn’t one. Everyone’s context and situation is different. The school is here to support you and provide advice when and if necessary.

One of my mentor Principal’s advice to me many years ago was the German philosopher’s Friedrich Nietzsche quote-‘There will always be rocks in the road ahead of us. They will be stumbling blocks or stepping stones; it all depends on how you use them.’

Not much else to report other than to say thank you to everyone in the school community; our amazing teachers, committed learning assistants, dedicated office staff, our wonderful students and our supportive parent community.

Please stay tuned to the school website and Konnective messages for updates. Assistant Principal, Mr Steve Donohue and I are online 24/7 to ensure our communication to one another and the school community is delivered as soon as possible.

Hopefully we will see you all on Friday 11^th June.

Warm Regards


Gayle