Nar Nar Goon Primary School 27 Spencer St, Nar Nar Goon 3812 Phone: 5942 5311

Email: nar.nar.goon.ps@education.vic.gov.au

Website: www.narnargoonps.vic.edu.au

Issue No:1 January 28th 2021

Welcome back everyone to the 2021 new school year and a very special warm welcome to all the new families who have joined us for the first time – not only in our Foundation classes but across the school. I know that you will find Nar Nar Goon Primary School is a very special place where we all look out for each other. Staff, students and parents alike follow our Golden Rule to: “Treat others as you would like to be treated” which creates a very harmonious and respectful environment that we are all very proud of. As we start the school year, I would like to remind you all of the following important information: COVID SAFE BEHAVIOURS UPDATE: Thankfully, Victoria now is in a much-improved position with COVID-19 and many restrictions that were in place towards the end of last year have been lifted. In regard to school operations, children are no longer required to enter the school via designated gates as all gates will be open for entry and exit. Parents can come on site, but we are still restricted to the number of adults indoors at any one time. As such, assemblies will take place outdoors in the courtyard, weather permitting, and we ask parents to make an appointment should you wish to meet face to face with staff so that suitable social distancing arrangements can be prepared. The guidelines provided state: face masks are recom-mended when physical distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained. If you do come onto the school grounds, please adhere to social distancing requirements. The children will be continually supervised to ensure frequent hand washing and sanitising throughout the day and our cleaners will continue to be vigilant ensuring tables and high touch areas such as door handles are wiped and sanitised regularly. Whilst the drink fountains are now available for student use, it is recommended that every child has their own drink bottle to access throughout the day and as always, please do not send your child to school if they are unwell and/or experiencing flu like symptoms. Nobody wants to return to the situation the whole state was in last year – let’s hope remote learning is banished to history! SCHOOL HATS/SUNSMART: As a sun smart school, the children are expected to wear a wide brimmed bucket hat in a dark navy blue colour (school logo optional) during the Daylight Savings months (October- April). This is in line with our School Council Uniform policy and as such, no other hats (other colours or styles) will be accepted. Any child without a school approved hat will be required to play in a shaded area of the school. VISITING THE SCHOOL DURING SCHOOL HOURS: Please be aware that if you are visiting the school during school hours (9:00-3:30), you must go through the front office first and speak to the office staff. If you need something delivered to your child during school hours, eg: a forgotten lunch or simply to pass on a message, the office staff are very happy to deliver the items for you. This is to ensure we eliminate interruptions to learning programs. Please do not enter classrooms during school hours, without first making an appointment with the classroom teacher. This is a very important OHS requirement. Teachers are available from 8:45 am to speak to parents should there be a need (as they are not on yard duty at this time) or after school, provided there are no staff meetings taking place. If you have a concern and need to speak to a teacher, please call the office and they will pass on your details to arrange a mutually convenient time. Student drop offs prior to 9am are through the gates to the east and west and not via the office. After 9am students will need to come via the office to be given late passes. Please also be aware that every person entering the school grounds to volunteer their time is required to have a current Working With Children Check. Please provide the Office ladies with a copy of your card and they will give you a lanyard to wear during the time you are on the school grounds. TRAFFIC SAFETY: It is important to ensure that you use the school crossing with your children to model expected behaviours in and around traffic. The crossing supervisor has advised that some parents have been parking in No Standing zones close to the crossing. Please be aware that she can take registration plate numbers and make a report to the Cardinia Council and/or police. There is a 40kph speed restriction in place around the school and there are “No Parking” signs that must be adhered to. The bus parking area, in particular, must be kept clear during drop off and pick-up time. Following is an explanation of our Traffic Management Plan The procedure in place when collecting your children from school, is to drive and park in Spencer Street (keeping in mind there are designated “No Standing” Zones in specific areas) and to then drive to the second driveway that leads to the football ground, turn right into this carpark and exit from the top driveway back into Spencer Street. If everyone follows this plan, the traffic (including buses) will move smoothly in a loop. The carpark across the road at the football ground is a designated parent parking space which you are welcome to use, as all staff park in the Scout Hall carpark. Please be patient and remember to look out for all children as they move in and around traffic. ICT: I would like to remind all parents that we have a very stringent ICT Code of Conduct in place for students whilst accessing ICT at school. However, there have been occasions in past years, where students have accessed ICT social networks/messaging at home and have caused great emotional upset by texting inappropriate messages to each other. We rely on your support as parents to please monitor your child’s computer/handheld device use to ensure ICT is being utilised responsibly at home, thus avoiding problems that inevitably spill into the school yard between friends. I always tell the children not to text anything to anyone that you would not say to them face to face. There are a number of very helpful links on our website to support parents in keeping children safe online under the “Links” tab. (Please keep in mind that it is illegal for a child under the age of 13 to have a Facebook page.) STUDENT INSURANCE: Please be aware that the Education Department does not cover students for accidents in the school grounds, nor does it cover for Ambulance costs should the need to call an ambulance be necessary. I would therefore encourage all families, to please consider making personal insurance and ambulance cover arrangements for all their children. I am looking forward to another fantastic school year!

Kind Regards, Mrs Fran Van Lambaart

Term 1 2021

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Curriculum Day Monday 15th February

No Foundation (Preps) on Wednesdays during February

Caitlin S

Ashton M

Mason F

Lilah W

Jake P

Sadie S

Ash M

Oscar N

Valentino S

Kenzi P

Olivia K

Harper B

Arahai W

Tyler B

Skyla R

Hayden P

Skyler J

Savannah H

Channing O

Skye H

Amelia M

Netana W

Harry C

2021

FEBRUARY

Tuesday 9th 3-6 House Swimming Carnival info to follow

Monday 15th Curriculum Day—Students not required at

school

Friday 12th 5/6 Interschool Sport Away info to follow

Friday 19th 5/6 Interschool Sport Hom e

Friday 26th 5/6 Interschool Sport Away

MARCH

Friday 5th 5/6 Interschool Sport Aw ay

Monday 8th LABOUR DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Friday 12th 5/6 Interschool Sport Hom e

Friday 19th 5/6 Lightning Premiership info to follow

APRIL

Thursday 1st LAST DAY OF TERM

Friday 2nd Good Friday

Happy birthday!

Please note: There is no assembly tomorrow, Friday 29th January

Morning Drop Off

Please,

when dropping children off in the morning please take them directly to their classroom and

not via the office

Thank you

Lunch Orders

When filling in your lunch orders please

remember to clearly mark the envelope with the

child’s name and their class.

It is preferred that you send your child’s lunch

order via the school rather than directly to the

shop

ALSO, PLEASE MAKE SURE ORDERS ARE

SEALED SECURELY, WITH THE CORRECT

MONEY ENCLOSED.

Thank you from the Shop

PETS AT SCHOOL

A reminder that dogs and other pets

ARE NOT PERMITTED

at school under any circumstances unless prior

permission is received from the Principal.

SUNSMART POLICY

Our School’s SunSmart Policy for wearing hats is in

line with the Cancer Council’s regulations.

Navy blue broad brimmed hats must now be worn

from

September 1st until May 1st.

Sunscreen is also available for children who

request it.

Hats must be either wide brimmed or the ‘bucket’

type

for proper protection.

Hats must be dark or navy blue in line with our

uniform policy

Baseball caps are not permitted.

REPORTING ABSENCES

It is a Department of Education and Training policy that when a child is absent, we receive an explanation on that day. You can do this in several ways

Sentral Parent Portal https://sentral.narnargoonps.vic.edu.au/portal2/

Nar Nar Goon Primary School Website https://www.narnargoonps.vic.edu.au/

Phone the school – 59425311

Unexplained absences will appear as unapproved until an explanation is received by the school

IMPORTANT REMINDER

Cashless Payments

Nar Nar Goon PS is now moving towards Cashless

Payments where possible for all transactions other

than PAFA fundraising.

BPay-using your unique Family Ref No

Eftpos

Credit Card over the phone

PERSONAL GOODS BROUGHT TO SCHOOL

AT OWNER’S RISK

Personal property is often brought to school by Students and

visitors. This can include mobile phones, calculators, toys,

sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises. The

Department of Education does not hold insurance for personal

property brought to schools and it has no capacity to pay for any

loss or damage to such property.

Students should be discouraged from bringing any

unnecessary or particularly valuable items to school

Please read the below details to ensure you are fully aware of the

department’s policy:

Parents/guardians of students, who do not have student accident in-

surance, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for

injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance/

transport and any other transport costs.

Parents/guardians can purchase insurance policies from commercial

insurers

The Department does not hold insurance for personal property brought

to schools and it has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to

such property

WORKING WITH CHILDREN’S CHECKS—A

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

A reminder that EVERY HELPER in our school must wear their

Working With Children Card on one of our visitor lanyards, or a

visitors badge when helping in our school. This could be for

reading helpers, sport helpers, classroom helpers, PAFA friends

etc. This is policy in our school and we will be monitoring this

diligently. Remember, it is not only for the safety of our children,

but protection for yourself. Our students have also been instruct-

ed to look for these.

Also when signing in please sign in your toddlers too,

just in case of emergency.

STUDENT SUPERVISION

Please be aware that staff are on yard duty in the playground from

8:45 am before school and until 3:45 pm after school. Students

travelling on late buses are supervised in the Multi Purpose Room

after school until the final bus leaves. For your own child’s safety

it is recommended that children do not arrive at school before

8:45 am.

STUDENT INSURANCE

Please be aware that the Education Department does not cover

students for accidents in the school grounds, nor does it cover for

Ambulance costs should the need to call an ambulance be

necessary. I would therefore encourage all families, to please

consider making personal insurance and ambulance cover

arrangements for all their children.

CHILD SAFE STANDARDS

Nar Nar Goon Primary School is committed to child safety.

We want children to be safe, happy and empowered. We

support and respect all children, as well as our staff and

volunteers. We are committed to the safety, participation

and empowerment of all children. We have zero tolerance

of child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns will be

treated very seriously and consistently with our robust

policies and procedures. If you would like more information

please go to the ‘Wellbeing’ or ‘Policies’ tab on our website

where you will find our Child Safe Policy and/or further

information and resources go to: www.education.vic.gov.au/

protect

FEEDBACK

Your feedback is important to us. If you have a concern or

would like to raise a complaint as a parent, please speak to

the classroom teacher in the first instance, Team leader in

the second instance (ie: Foundation: Jodie Watt, Years 1-2:

Kimberly Feher, Years 3-4 Jackie Lowe, Years 5/6: Daniel

Mason).

Otherwise, please contact the Principal Mrs Fran Van

Lambaart or Assistant Principal Jacqui Cutler, by calling

the office to arrange an appointment.

VISITING THE SCHOOL

We would respectfully ask that every person who comes

onto the school grounds between the hours of 9:15am and

3:15pm does so through the main office to ensure that we

know who is on the school grounds at all times. We would

ask for your cooperation as parents to ensure that if you

have a message for your child or an item that needs to be

delivered to the classroom that you ask the office staff to

pass it on rather than interrupt the class and/or the

teacher during instruction time. Anyone without a WWCC

lanyard or Visitors badge will be redirected to the front

office.

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL

Often we are asked to administer medication for students at school and if provided with the correct written information and parent signatures, we are more than happy to do so. Students know (and parents need to be aware) that any medication brought to school must be kept in the Sick Bay, not in classrooms or student school bags. In order to administer medication correctly we are seeking parent support to ensure the medication provided to staff does not fall beyond the expiry date provided on medication packets/bottles. We will notify you when the medication is due to expire. Please support us in our endeavours to keep your children safe and healthy.

ABSENCE MANAGEMENT AT NAR NAR GOON

PRIMARY SCHOOL

When submitting online absence forms please ensure you

provide us with details to enable us to determine whether

or not they will be school approved absences or not.

Parent Choice

School approved – Illness/medical, Religious/cultural

observance, Bereavement, Family holiday (with principal

approval), Special circumstances, Unforeseen

circumstances, Ill family member.

School unapproved- No explanation provided by

parent. Student absent due to participating in leisure or

social activities such as shopping, a child’s birthday,

visiting relatives or friends. A day off for no valid reason.

No approval given by principal to attend family holiday

(requires an absence learning plan with Principal’s

signature).

PLEASE REFER TO THE NAR NAR GOON PRIMARY

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY LOCATED ON

THE ‘ABOUT US/POLICIES’ TAB ON OUR WEBSITE

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

PARENTS AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION

**FACEBOOK PAGE**

Join the Nar Nar Goon Primary School – Parents & Friends Group as another way to stay informed and up to date with the activities and events

happening within the School. (*this is a closed group only available to parents/carers) with current students at the school*)

School Uniform

It is our School’s policy that all students wear school uniform.

Our school uniform is:

Summer Girls: Blue check dress, navy blue shorts, pale

blue or navy blue polo shirt.

Boys: Navy blue shorts, pale blue or navy blue polo shirt

ALL STUDENTS MUST wear a wide brimmed bucket hat

in a dark navy blue colour

(school logo optional) from October—April

Winter Girls: Navy blue track suits, navy blue w indcheater

with pale blue or navy blue polo shirt or skivvy

Boys: Navy blue track suits, navy blue w indcheater w ith

pale blue or navy blue polo shirt or skivvy.

Our uniform is available from Beleza, Bald Hill Road, Pakenham

5941 4989.

As a cheaper alternative we have iron on school logos in blue or

white available for purchase

($1.00 each) from the office, if required.

Denim jeans and other coloured tops are not acceptable.

Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times -toeless

shoes are not permitted.

Please Keep Sick

Children At Home

The Department has a COVID Team that can take any queries from parents (and teachers!) and can be contacted on 1800 338 663. Please call them any time you have a concern about your child’s symptoms. DHS also have a hotline and can be reached at https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

If you aren’t sure about anything, give those hotlines a call, as we are taking our directions from them. Children who are ill should remain at home. Any child unwell and sent to sick bay whilst at school will be isolated until collected. We are being vigilant to ensure safety of everyone in our school community.

As with staff, students will be required to stay home if they display any symptoms of illness such as a cough, runny nose, sore throat, tummy ache or fever.

Please keep us all safe by avoiding attendance if you know your child is not well.

Bus Travel In 2021

As in previous years, ALL bus travellers for 2021

must renew their applications for travel on the PTV

School Bus Program.

New travellers will also need to apply online. Bus

travellers will not be able to use the bus service unless

applications are approved and children present their

passes.

https:\\schoolbusapplication.ptv.vic.gov.au

PLEPLEASE NOTE THAT PAYMENTS FOR BOOK CLUB CANNOT

BE ACCEPTED AT THE SCHOOL.

ALL ORDERS AND PAYMENTS MUST BE DONE ONLINENO

2021 Term Dates Term 1

Thursday 28th January –Thursday April 1st

Monday 8th March – Labour Day

Friday 2nd April- Good Friday

Term 2

Monday 19th April – Friday 25th June

Friday 25th April – ANZAC Day

Monday 14th June – Queen’s Birthday

Term 3

Monday 12th July – Friday 17th September

Term 4

Monday 4th October – Friday 17th December

Tuesday 2nd November – Melbourne Cup Day