It has been wonderful to see the effort put in by students (and families) with the home learning. Teachers are keen to maintain high expectations for students – while recognising the considerable challenges that we all face.

We have received notice from AusNet that the electricity supply may be interrupted from 3pm to 5pm tomorrow (Tuesday 18^th August).  Students will likely be finished with any remote learning activities by that time but please be aware of this possible power outage.

For children attending on-site due to parents engaging in essential work, please ensure all learning materials are brought to school. If any children are learning on-site, they are following exactly the same learning as those at home. Be sure to complete the on-site attendance form in the week prior to attendance if required (we understand that there may be special circumstances where shorter notice is inevitable).

Big thanks to Jane Murphy, Emma Vorbach and Michelle Croker who engaged in some COVID safe and socially distant garden planting at the school on the weekend. We appreciate your work!

Michael Edwards
Principal

Lily Van Duinen for challenging herself to present her best work.

Charlie Killen for giving 100% to all learning tasks this week.

Jack Summons for showing initiative and independence in getting set up on Google Classroom.

Alfie Lebner for being an organised learner and completing tasks with care and attention.

Lara Bebbington for excellent writing of a fractured fairytale!

Alfie Bayne for being a prolific reader during remote learning.  Epic reading!

Emily Sheppard for a great effort reading a challenging text.

Phia Smith-Deans for thoughtfully presenting a new skill in video, to share a new skill with others and encourage them to try it too!

Ivy Mahoney for a conscientious effort in all home learning, especially when working with others.

Jim Kelley for showing impressive initiative with home learning, especially welcoming the challenges of new reading materials.

Henry Lerch for a motivated and enthusiastic approach to Home Learning tasks!

Tarn Charles-Jones for an enthusiastic approach to Home Learning.

Jake Blair for excellent work with recording doubles plus one in maths.

Ella Williamson for doing such a great job with her home learning.  Keep it up!

Sara Davison for her amazing GreatxGreatxGreat Grandfather snail shell.

Billy Mahoney for taking P.E. videos to a new level.

Lachy O’Brien for his incredible detail on his snail artwork.

Edith McInenery for completing all work to a high standard.

James Thornton for creating an excellent timeline for his website.

The Lorax
This week in Art, Year 3/4 and 4/5/6s will be making a detailed map of the imaginary world of The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. Creative stories often have finely illustrated maps on the endpapers in a book, showing all the main features of the land. https://youtu.be/wVWyWzwqNf0

Foundation and 1/2s will be making an imaginative drawing of the Once-ler and a PowerPoint presentation will share some ideas on what the Once-ler might look like! Remember we only get to see his yellow eyes and long, green hairy arms.

Artwork of the Week

Lachy O’Brien has captured Aiden perfectly!
Before remote learning 4/5/6 B & L were drawing portraits from direct observation.

Remote Borrowing & Requests
 A few parents have asked if there is a library catalogue they can access to help students select Library books. Unfortunately, we don’t have an online catalogue like the town library. But please don’t let that be a barrier! You can email me specific requests for book title (like the next book in a series they might be reading); by topic (is your child really interested in Australian animals, Lego, art, Dinosaurs etc ?); by genre (eg. adventure, humour, fantasy, historical fiction); by author (does your child love picture books by Aaron Blabey, Shaun Tan, Margaret Wild, Alison Lester?); or let me surprise them by selecting some of our newest or best loved books- it’s a great way to introduce books to students that they may not have otherwise chosen themselves.

I’ll be in the Library each Friday from 1-4pm during remote learning, to ensure students are still able to access quality literature at home. Please make use of this service by emailing me requests by 12 midday each Friday, to ensure I can have your loans ready to collect with your child’s classroom learning pack, from 3pm onwards. Please contact me anytime via email: sarah.mcalister@education.vic.gov.au

Returning Books 
A big thank you to everyone who returned library books on Friday! For those who missed it- there is a labelled box in the School foyer for you to place any books you may be returning.

Loans
Loans for students are for a two week period. Please try to return books on time, especially if your child has a new or popular title- these are in high demand at the moment! Especially the new novels and Lego books! Thank you for your help with this. If you child is reading a novel and has not finished reading after two week- just email me and I’ll renew it for you.

Overdue Books
 A reminder that while you are all at home, this is a great time to go hunting for those long-lost overdue books! Please return them to the returns box in the foyer.

Sarah McAlister

IT’S TIME TO ENROL AT SCHOOL!

If you have a child starting at school next year Enrolment packs for Yackandandah Primary School can be collected from the kindergarten or the school office.  Alternatively an enrolment form can be downloaded from the school website at www.yackaps.vic.edu.au

Unfortunately due to COVID-19 restrictions we are unable to provide school tours.

If you have any questions or would like any further information please contact Michael Edwards on 02 6027 1431.

School Council Report – July 2020

Our last School Council meeting was held at on the 27^th July.  We discussed a number of topics including road safety, development of a Reconciliation Action Plan, and a number of governance related topics.

Pedestrian Safety
We understand that many within the school community have made attempts to address road safety with the various stakeholders.  We will continue to lobby Indigo Shire Council to improve road safety.

School Website and eNewsletter
A special thanks to Phaedra Rodriguez for taking some new photographs for our website and eNewsletter!  They look great – thanks Phaedra!

Reconciliation Action Plan
School Council are investigating the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).  Schools can develop a RAP through Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education. Narragunnawali supports all schools and early learning services in Australia to foster a higher level of knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions. More information can be found at https://www.reconciliation.org.au/narragunnawali/ .  If you would like to contribute to this initiative please make contact with Faith Deans.

Grants
We have submitted a grant application for our Dry Creek Bed Inclusive Play Space under the Victorian Government’s 2020 Minor Capital Works Fund.  Outcomes will be published in October. Fingers crossed!

We are also progressing with some design concepts and quotations for a permanent/fixed roof over the outdoor assembly area.  This will enable us to apply for future grants when they become available.

School Council Governance
At the July meeting we completed the Annual School Council Self-Assessment.  We are now developing an action plan to improve the effectiveness and running of School Council.  As always, feedback is most welcome.

Our next meeting is on the 31^st August.  All members of the school community are welcome to attend.

Sincerely,

Jane Dowsley

Yackandandah Primary School Council President

jane.dowsley@education.vic.gov.au

School Councilors – Michael Walsh, Beth Boddenberg, Orrin Pritchard, Carly Frank, Robyn Wilson, Kate Stagg, Tennille McIntosh, Paige Rolfe, Faith Deans, Michael Edwards and Jane Dowsley.