Wellbeing at Bundarra!

Update 15/10/2021- Mask Wearing

Dear parents,

As you know, students have now begun a Staged return to onsite learning to school as announced under the Roadmap.

To support this, the Victorian Chief Health Officer has announced new rules around mask wearing to keep everyone at school safe.

We know that returning to school will look a little different this time and it’s important that we support you and your children with effective ways to keep everyone safe and well.

One of the most important and effective things we can do to help keep students in the classroom is to wear masks to help minimise COVID-19 transmission risk.

When worn properly, masks can play an important role in reducing the transmission risks of Covid-19 that could happen from common activities in school.

Students in Grade 3 and above

  • Face masks will be required for secondary students at all times both indoors and outdoors at school, unless a lawful exception applies.
  • Face masks will also be required for all school students in Grade 3 and above indoors including at Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) programs, unless a lawful exception applies. Face masks can be removed while outdoors at school for primary students.
  • Students in Grades 3 to 6 are required to wear face masks from 18 October 2021. All other students who are required to wear a face mask must continue to do so from the first day they return to onsite learning.
  • Face masks will be strongly recommended for Prep to Year 2 students.
  • For composite classes of Grade 2 and 3 students, Grade 2 students will be strongly encouraged to wear masks like their Grade 3 peers.
  • For students with a disability, parents and carers should speak to the child’s doctor or regular health professional about the best methods to encourage mask wearing. Students and parents can also contact the Disability Liaison Officer program for more information.
  • Students with a medical condition or disability that make wearing a face covering unsuitable  are not required to wear a mask.
  • Face masks are required for students in Year 3 to Year 6 unless an exception applies. Exceptions include students with a physical or mental disability where their disability means it would not be suitable. Parent/carers of a student/s who meet the criteria for an exception must provide their approval in writing for their child/ren to not wear a mask to the school.

We will try to maximise outdoor learning where possible and offer more recreation and breaks wherever practicable to further support students.

We can work together to support students by having conversations around the importance of masks in preventing COVID -19 transmission and remind them that it’s only for a few days a week.

We have seen through remote learning that friendships are important. We can work together to remind students that wearing masks means they can see their friends and be at school together more often. We also protect our friends and keep them safe.

We encourage you to discuss wearing masks with your children to keep kids in the classroom and minimise COVID-19 transmission risk. The Raising Children Network has resources that can help you with having conversations with your children about wearing masks.

These new changes to wearing masks will come into effect when students return to staged onsite learning from 18 October 2021 in regional and metropolitan schools.

Thank you for your ongoing support in the implementation of these important steps that enable us to return to onsite learning. We look forward to welcoming your children back into the classroom.

Tara Hulonce

Principal

 

Student mask wearing 2021

 

Additional information on mask wearing may be found here:

https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks-when-wear-face-mask?utm_source=email+marketing+Mailigen&utm_campaign=EmergencySchools15Oct2021&utm_medium=email 

https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/coronavirus-covid-19-guide/face-masks-coronavirus-children

https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/coronavirus-covid-19-guide/face-masks-and-coronavirus-covid-19-supporting-teenagers 

 

Wellbeing in the age of Covid-19

This is of the utmost priority. When times are uncertain we need to be extra mindful of our physical and mental health. Respect, kindness and support are essential especially as we return back to school in Term 4, 2021.

Bundarra recognises these challenges and will provide:

  • Updated DET and health advice in a timely manner.
  • Support for students and families when learning from home.
  • Advice as to a home learning set up.
  • Help documents and “How to” videos.
  • Wellbeing support regularly to parents- check in phone calls when possible.

COVID-poster

Key Bundarra health and wellbeing contacts for families:

  • Kate Mee/ Tara Hulonce- 0481 108 890
  • Bundarra Primary email- Bundarra.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

 

Headspace have developed some practical strategies for promoting mental health and wellbeing during this time.

Parenting Education program opportunity

Please find below information regarding the FREE telephone based parenting education program is for parents, grandparents caring for their grandchildren and carers of children aged 2 to 12 years, living in Victoria.  The aim of this program is to increase access for all families including fathers, grandparents, kinship carers and rural families.  Participants will be provided with a workbook or online modules and will be  supported by weekly 30 minute phone calls from a trained Parent Educator over a 6 to 10 week period.  Appointments are available daytime and evenings.

This service is funded by The Department of Health and Human Services. Please phone 1800 880 660 for further information.

Positive Parenting Brochure

 

Wellbeing Apps and websites for you and your family:

 

 Fun Play ideas for young children:

 

Emerging-Minds-Play-Practice-resource

Emerging-Minds-Play-Conversation-guide-worksheet

 

Berry Street advice

Supporting young children during COVID-19

Creating a soothing new household rhythm in uncertain times

 

The BIG 3 tips for parents- Andrew Fuller

 

Student Wellbeing

At Bundarra we truly understand the importance of building quality relationships between students, teachers, parents and the wider community. We pride ourselves on creating a safe and caring environment where Restorative Practices and our “Be Your Best Self!” values program underpin and optimise the social, emotional and academic development of all of our students.

Bundarra Primary School has an extensive array of supports for students with additional needs. Support includes a fulltime Well Being co-ordinator and Community Liaison Officer who work with students and families. We also have an integration manager who works with our ES team to successfully support students with special needs through programs, transition, Support meetings etc. We offer a range of intervention programs to support students such as Fountas and Pinnell. We implement Language Support Programs (MiniLit and MaqLit) where students receive regular Literacy intervention in small groups to support their Literacy needs. In addition, we use JEMM and EMM maths programs and staff QuickSmart (Numeracy Intervention) to support mathematics development in the upper years. Our staff effectively collaborate through their Professional Learning Team planning meetings to cater for all students’ point of need with their learning and we develop Individual Learning Plans to support students with personalised learning goals. Team Leaders support teams to analyse student learning data, implement effective teaching strategies and to facilitate timely intervention and support in Literacy and Numeracy.

In 2019, Bundarra began the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) with extensive staff training and implementation across the whole school. More information on the BSEM can be found here: https://learning.berrystreet.org.au/focus-areas/berry-street-education-model

Alongside this, the ‘Be Your Best Self!’ program is fully implemented into school life from Foundation to year 6, explicitly supporting school values. The school has an annual school concert as part of an Artist in Residence program. With every student performing on stage, this production provides a vehicle for teaching many valuable skills.

We have a very supportive parent community in the form of a Parents and Friends group and an active School Council. Parents work as volunteers to maintain the school environment, organise fundraising and social activities, and help us provide quality education opportunities. Parents are in the school daily, helping in the classroom, the library, at sporting events or on camps and excursions. We couldn’t do all the things we do without parental support. We look forward to you joining us.