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Mt Whitestone State School

Principal: Leticia de Mey

Phone: (07) 5462 6717 Email: ldeme4@eq.edu.au

1313 Gatton-Clifton Road Mt Whitestone Qld 4347 www.mtwhitesss.eq.edu.au

Newsletter Term 1 Week 9— 27rd March

Principals Diary

31.04.2020 - STEM Professional Development—Postponed

2.04.2020 - Principal Planning Day—On site

27.03.2020- Caffey Kanga—Cancelled

Principal’s Desk

As I write this newsletter, we are in very uncharted waters as we all respond to the growing COVID-19

pandemic. We are fortunate to live in the area we do, that has not had the exposure to the virus as larger

centres. It was announced by the government yesterday afternoon that the schools will be closed week 10

for students. Staff will continue to work and prepare for next term. I have done up a learning activity

booklet for each child, sent home homereaders and their fast facts booklet so learning can continue at

home. As I said I will be at school next week so if you have any questions please ring. With the closure of

school, I wish to thank parents/carers for the awesome work you have be doing supporting your child/ren

to continue their learning. As a school, we will be here to provide the content and suggested learning

activities, but it will be the time, focus and connection you can commit with your child, that will create the

magic - real teaching! A couple of my favourite quotes about education to hopefully inspire and excite you,

as your role of parent expands to the very special profession of teacher. Welcome aboard.

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin

A good reminder to focus on active learning.

“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” ―

Abigail Adams Talent Luck might happen to you by chance, but learning is a skill and practice that

anyone can accomplish with diligence.

“Life is a journey, not a destination.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson. This applies to learning as well. The

process of learning is more important than the often intangible result or ‘end goal’.

I hope that everyone received the letter I sent on Tuesday afternoon responding to the COVID-19 challenges

and ongoing changes required as we try to continue to deliver to our students the very best education

whilst keeping their health first and foremost. I will attach the letter to this newsletter for parents who did

not receive it.

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Mt Whitestone State School

Principal: Leticia de Mey

Phone: (07) 5462 6717 Email: ldeme4@eq.edu.au

1313 Gatton-Clifton Road Mt Whitestone Qld 4347 www.mtwhitesss.eq.edu.au

It is important that children’s learning continues as much as it can while at home. To support this the

department has some online resources for learning at home. Links to these resources are in the attached

letter. As well as this I will have learning packs for the rest of the term ready to go out to homes this

afternoon. Families can re-borrow books from the library once books in the pack have been returned.

The following events have been cancelled until further notice:

P&C meeting postponed

Parent teacher interviews will be postponed

Inter school sport – Kanga cricket Cross Country –Cancelled

Behaviour Rewards day postponed

ANZAC Day Parade: There will be no whole school ANZAC Parade or community March this year.

In the next few weeks we will use email as the main form of whole school communication. If you have not

provided the school with your email address could you please do so. If you do not have access to a

computer or email please let the school know and we will make alternative arrangements.

Students’ Emotional Wellbeing

Looking after our students’ emotional health in these uncertain times is just as important. I have attached

an information sheet which has provided some suggestions for how you can support your child if they have

questions. As a school, we will attempt to keep parents informed as best as possible over the next few

weeks. As everyone is aware, it is a time of constant change and I appreciate there are lots of questions. I

have included below some information and links to websites that parents may find useful.

For Young Children (Infants)

Queensland Centre for Infant and Perinatal Mental Health has a ‘Birdie and the Big Sickness’ book on their website. A lovely resource for supporting younger children.

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Mt Whitestone State School

Principal: Leticia de Mey

Phone: (07) 5462 6717 Email: ldeme4@eq.edu.au

1313 Gatton-Clifton Road Mt Whitestone Qld 4347 www.mtwhitesss.eq.edu.au

2. Printable Resources

From Fear to Hope Workbook

Contains a series of six drawing prompts - each with its own purpose and helpful notes for parents.

Includes a breathing exercise for children and tips for parents.

You will need to checkout through the online store, however this is a free resource and does not

require any credit card information

Social Stories for children

Carol Grey: My Story about Pandemics and the Coronavirus

The Autism Educator: what is the coronavirus? Attached

Mind Heart Kids: My name is coronavirus – Attached

How to wash your hands (for children). - Attached

A comic exploring the new coronavirus - The website link includes a short 3-minute audio clip that explains (to children and youth) what the virus is and preventative measures we can take to stay healthy. Print and fold comic for teens.

World Health Organisation Helping Children Cope Printable infographic: Helping children cope with stress during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Coronavirus Social Story - An infographic developed by an autism educator to help alleviate fears and anxiety children may be experiencing at this time.

Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY)

How to talk to your children about coronavirus – ABC https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-04/how-to-

talk-to-children-about-coronavirus/12020324

Cora's mum Denise said her daughter cried for about four or five days because she had been discussing it

with her classmates and was anxious about her grandparents as well as her own health.

Worried about your child getting coronavirus? Here’s what you need to know – The Conversation https://

theconversation.com/worried-about-your-child-getting-coronavirus-heres-what-you-need-to-know-

131909

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Mt Whitestone State School

Principal: Leticia de Mey

Phone: (07) 5462 6717 Email: ldeme4@eq.edu.au

1313 Gatton-Clifton Road Mt Whitestone Qld 4347 www.mtwhitesss.eq.edu.au

The best way to avoid COVID-19 infection (and infection with any other respiratory virus) is by washing

your hands with soap and water, using a tissue or the crook of your elbow to cover your mouth when you

cough or sneeze and by avoiding close contact with others who are unwell.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Parent/caregiver guide to helping children cope with COVID-19

Includes information on CVOID-19

Provides suggestions on how to prepare families for the impact of the outbreak with links to

resources that have accurate and up-to date information

Summarizes information on preventative measures to stay healthy

Provides coping strategies to support families and children with the stress of an outbreak

Provides strategies on how to help and support children and is broken down by age group/

developmental period

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Talking to Children about Coronavirus - Fourteen suggestions to help parents/providers have conversations about the COVID-19 outbreak with children/youth.

Multicultural: Translated Resources

Multicultural – Translated Resources

What is COVID -19 https://bit.ly/2xa9ZgA

Look after yourself https://bit.ly/3bgb1Gj

A4 poster Look for the signs https://bit.ly/3944NrJ

AUSLAN Translated Resources

AUSLAN Birdie and the Big Sickness

Coronavirus Information in Auslan for Children

5. COVID Health/ Medical Information

Australian Government Department of Health COVID-19 Resources - The Queensland Government has developed this (above) website that contains all the latest advice, information and updates on the rapidly escalating Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The site includes information for the general public concerned about infection or prevention strategies, information for businesses who are impacted, and links for clinicians looking for the latest clinical guidelines. It’s important during this difficult time that we share accurate information, and debunk myths or misunderstandings.

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Mt Whitestone State School

Principal: Leticia de Mey

Phone: (07) 5462 6717 Email: ldeme4@eq.edu.au

1313 Gatton-Clifton Road Mt Whitestone Qld 4347 www.mtwhitesss.eq.edu.au

P&C News

P and C Meetings will be postponed until further notice.

All P and C fundraising events will be postponed or cancelled due to the current circumstances. We will let you when the P and C become active again in Term 2.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Friday 3rd April

‘Last day of Term’

Monday 20th April

‘First day Back

Term 2’

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Friday 3rd April

No Tuckshop

Tuckshop will continue in

Term 2. If you would like to

volunteer Friday mornings

please contact the school.

Attendance

Our whole school attendance to date is 92.2%. Our goal is 98%. We all

are aware that attendance every day matters and has a huge impact on

your child succeeding. To give your child the best opportunity for

success is—students need to be at school, each and every day of the

school term, unless sick.

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Mt Whitestone State School

Principal: Leticia de Mey

Phone: (07) 5462 6717 Email: ldeme4@eq.edu.au

1313 Gatton-Clifton Road Mt Whitestone Qld 4347 www.mtwhitesss.eq.edu.au

Mount Whitestone says

No to Bullying! Student Council would like to thank all the boys and girls who came dressed in

orange last Friday.

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Mt Whitestone State School

Principal: Leticia de Mey

Phone: (07) 5462 6717 Email: ldeme4@eq.edu.au

1313 Gatton-Clifton Road Mt Whitestone Qld 4347 www.mtwhitesss.eq.edu.au

Student of the week - Congratulations to:

Week 8 – Layla —For re reading her stories and editing her work

Week 9– Makenna—For being a great role model in an outside the classroom

Behaviour Award - Congratulations to:

Week 8– ‘Hygiene Matters’— Everyone

Week 9– ‘It’s cool to wash your hands’— Ella

Robust Readers

Congratulations to our next Home reading recipients. Sirinapha and Hannah (week 8) and Anthony

(week 9) They have read for 20 nights . It’s great seeing different children achieving their reading goal

each week. Well done, I’m super proud of you all!