Junior & Senior Campus

Middle Campus

Newsletter

1430 Heatherton Road, Dandenong 3175

19-21 Gloria Avenue, Dandenong North 3175

Phone: 9791 8900

Phone: 8762 6466

Email: emerson.sch@edumail.vic.gov.au

Website: www.emersonsc.vic.edu.au

Issue 14 – Friday 15th May 2020

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

DIARY DATES

Tuesday 26.5.2020 Students return to school for on-site learning. Ventura School buses will be running.

We look forward to seeing you all again, face to face!

On last Tuesday, the citizens of Victoria were informed by our Premier, Daniel Andrews, that schools would be reopening on Monday, 25th May. All staff would resume on Monday, 25th May. Students would begin returning to school on Tuesday, 26th May. All Specialist School students would return on Tuesday, 26th May. I would like to comment on some of the conditions that will need to be considered in the reopening of schools. Firstly, I would like to congratulate all students, staff and families for their extraordinary collaboration during the online learning period. I have seen so many wonderful video and Webex clips, along with numerous texts and phone calls that loudly demonstrate how successful this unique period in our lives has been. I encourage everyone to engage with enthusiasm over the last five days of online learning which will conclude on Friday, 22nd May. In the meantime, I would like to reflect on some of the key issues that will need to be addressed when students return to school on Tuesday, 26th May. 1. Social distancing is required to be observed by all staff

members and adult visitors to the school at both campuses. Social distancing between students will also be encouraged.

2. Social distancing at our Heatherton Road Campus will be problematic because of the narrow corridors and small classrooms. Strategies will be implemented to reduce corridor congestion.

3. Students who are ill or are not feeling well, must not attend

school. They should remain home and seek medical advice.

4. If parents choose to keep their child at home because of health or medical considerations, they are advised to contact the School Office.

5. All students should bring a packed lunch and snacks to

school along with a drink bottle that is refillable. Water fountains will not be in operation as a COVID-19 prevention strategy.

6. Hand sanitising stations will be available in every classroom

and at strategic school locations. The opportunity to wash hands using a soap dispenser and water, will be available throughout the school. Disposable hand towels will be used instead of cloth towels.

7. Increased school cleaning and sanitising strategies will be continued at both campuses in Term 2 and 3.

8. Ventura contracted school buses will be running

however, it is acknowledged that they will not be able to provide social distancing strategies. Parents may choose to bring their children to school by their family car.

9. Some parents may request that their children do not

travel on public buses during peak hour travel. Parents may choose to send their children on a later bus in the morning and to return on an earlier bus in the afternoon. Parents are asked to inform our School Offices if they intend to vary school attendance time.

10. Until further notice, no face to face School Assemblies

or Wednesday House meetings will be conducted. 11. It is unfortunate that Victoria has had several breakouts of

COVID-19 over the last week. This reminds us of the essential importance of social distancing, hand sanitising and testing.

I am looking forward to seeing our students again on Tuesday, 26th May. Our students love coming to school and we all cannot wait until we are all together again. We will overcome all the challenges and we will put the COVID-19 period behind us. However, we have learnt much about global health issues which need to be supported by people from every country on the planet. We hope the world will be a better place because of our joint efforts. JOHN MOONEY

Principal

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STUDENT’S BIRTHDAYS

Value of the Week

We will be studying the value, Thankfulness for the next fortnight. There are many things for us to be thankful for. I am very thankful for all our wonderful staff who have gone above and beyond for our students and their families during this time of great anxiety and uncertainty. Together they have provided both an online curriculum and hard-copy learning packs for all our students. The quality of the materials they have produced is outstanding. All students have had the opportunity to talk to their teachers and fellow classmates through their regular Webex meetings. Many staff have also reached out to struggling families to support them in a variety of caring and kind ways during this time. I am so thankful and proud of what our staff have achieved in such a small time. All this has been done with a kind heart and generosity of spirit. What are you thankful for? Please email me and I can publish your comments in next week’s newsletter. Dianne Wright Campus Principal—Middle School

KINDNESS AWARDS

This week’s Kindness awards go to: LYNN CARLAND - for organising lunch for staff volunteering their services each Friday. HILARY CORLETT - for kindly cooking some very delicious soups for staff on Wednesdays.

10th MAY BLAYDEN C (JSD) EHSAN A (SSB) GEORGE K (SSH) 11th MAY ZOE B (MSL) TRISHA J (SSV)

12th MAY MOHAMED L (JSA) AHMED M (JSB) EMILY T (MSK) 13th MAY BEAU S (JSG)

14th MAY SINAI F (MSG) SARAH V (SSE) 15th MAY MANUEL T (JSJ) OLLIE D-N (MSG)

Weekly Riddle: I can fly but have no wings. I can cry but I have no eyes. Wherever I

go, darkness follows me. What am I? A cloud.

ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLES

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REMOTE LEARNING

JSA Mother’s Day Celebration! This year’s Mother’s Day celebration was indeed a memorable one as it had to be done through the magic of Webex. The children coloured in images and traced over a personal message, which was then assembled into a card by a team comprised of Leanne Gal, Judy Moutsakis, Vicki Owen, Jemima Kenny, Rekha and myself. We used the photos sent by the mothers to make beautiful bouquets and cards which were delivered home on the Friday. These gifts were presented to the mums by their child during our Mother’s Day Webex party which also involved song and dance, story time and evening tea. Everyone had loads of fun. Janet D’Souza

EH NAY KARLY PREESHI JUDY

ANTHONY KYIAN LEANNE MS RUSSELL

MOHAMED SAMIM

MS D’SOUZA

Annabella O (JSB) learning on the I-pad

Selena D (JSB) safe at home doing school work.

Nikkisha W (JSB) working hard at her literacy tasks at home.

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REMOTE LEARNING Cont...

Jorja S (MSF) has been busy learning from home. Here are some photos of Jorja in her kitchen cooking Anzac biscuits and a photo of the cupcakes she made on another day. She misses her friends and is looking forward to seeing them again on the 26th May.

SSB BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

RECYCLING HARDWOOD PALINGS

SSB was given a research task to find ideas to make something out of old hardwood palings. Next was costing the final choice and running it past Mr Mooney. The students had Wednesday for construction after Glen, Jaynee and I made deliveries to all the students on Tuesday. I am very impressed with the quality of the work submitted so far. Bill Vermulst

Here are some photos of Robbie C working on his construction and the final product of his photo holder.

This is a photo of Brittney J’s photo holder. Garry was over the moon, as this is the first time ever he has built something and was so proud of his efforts.

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CREATIVE TREASURE HUNT COMPETITION:

1. What is green and grows on the ground and you cut it with a lawn mower?

2. What grows on trees and is usually green?

3. What is a piece of rock called?

4. What grows in the garden, has petals and bees love them?

5. What is an arm of a tree called?

6. What do you get from a tap?

7. What do worms slither through?

8. The second little pig made his house out of what?

9. What vegetable do you make fries with?

10. Rabbits love to eat these?

Once you have answered these questions, find 5 or more of these different items and use them to create something. You can use other materials you have at home too as long your creative piece includes 5 items from the answers above. Send a photo of your creation at wayth.julie.e@edumail.vic.gov.au to enter the competition by 3pm Thursday. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative. Winners will be announced in next weeks newsletter. Prizes will be given out when school returns.

BACK TO SCHOOL MAZE What 6 school supplies do you pass to get from home to school?

WEEKLY RIDDLE:

I am in your eye. I am a school child. I am a word of five. What am I? See next week’s newsletter for the answer.