Boneo Buzz: Friday 18th February

Dear Parents and Guardians,

In 2022, we will have a strong focus on student leadership and learner agency. In all that we do, we will be looking for opportunities to empower students to be in the driver’s seat of their learning and to have genuine input and influence over the day to day running and operation of our school. Additionally, teachers will be developing a whole school approach to the teaching of writing and spelling. Following our 2021 School Review, we have now developed our new 2021 – 2025 Strategic Plan. Please take the time to read this important document that will focus our work over the next 4 years.

Family Food and Fun Night

Our planning is underway thanks to our committee of volunteers coordinating their class stalls. It is wonderful to have the support of such a dedicated and hard working group to assist with pulling this huge fundraising event together. We still have many classes without a coordinator so please assist us.

It is now that we ask for the support of all families, by parents volunteering their time to man their child’s class stall. Please be sure to add your name to class rosters by contacting your child’s teacher. We will confirm the class stalls early next week.

If we all contribute, it ensures all families have time to enjoy the festivities of the FFFN.

We are again holding a Silent Auction on the night and are currently seeking donations, big and small, from local businesses. With such a short timeline can I ask our community to seek donations.

If you have your own business and would like to donate, please contact the Office.

Upcoming School Council Elections

All government schools in Victoria have a School Council. They are legally constituted bodies that are given powers to set the key directions of a school within state-wide guidelines. In doing this, a School Council is able to directly influence the quality of education that the school provides for its students. Parents on School Council provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape the direction of our school. Parents who become active on School Council find their involvement satisfying in itself and may also find that their children feel a greater sense of belonging and engagement. Each year, approximately half of the School Council retires to allow new members to become involved. To this end, we are now formally calling for nominations for the 2022/2023 Boneo Primary School Council. Membership on the council is for a period of two years and meetings are held twice a term. If you would like to know more about being a councillor, don’t hesitate to give me a call. In 2022, we have 6 parent vacancies and 1 DET vacancy for a full period of two years.

SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTION 2022 PROCESS AND TIMETABLE
Notice of election and call for nominations	Thursday 17th February
Closing date for nominations	Thursday 24th February
Date by which the list of candidates and nominations will be posted	Friday 25th  February
Ballot papers will be prepared and distributed if we receive more nominations than positions	Wednesday 2nd March
Close of ballot	Wednesday 9th March
Vote Count	Thursday 10th March
Declaration of Poll	Friday 11th March
Special Council Meeting to co-opt Community members (the Principal will reside)	Tuesday 22nd March
First Council meeting to elect office bearers (the Principal will reside)	Tuesday 22nd March

Nomination forms will be available from the Office on Monday.

COVIDSafe measures extension

We want to thank parents and students for the great job they have done in keeping our school as safe as possible by following important COVIDSafe measures such as mask wearing, physical distancing, ventilation, getting vaccinated and rapid antigen testing.

This has meant that our school has remained open and our students in class. This is a fantastic outcome and a testament to the hard work of parents, carers, students and school staff.

Rapid antigen tests

To keep schools as safe as possible, the Victorian Government has extended the COVIDSafe measures introduced for the beginning of Term 1. This includes extending the availability of free rapid antigen tests (RAT) for screening until the end of term.

The need for this program will continue to be monitored, and may end earlier based on health advice. This is great news and will mean we’re able to continue identifying COVID-19 cases as early as possible, reducing the impact on our school and individuals.

The department will continue to supply RATs to our school for your use. As soon as these arrive we will send them home. Twice-a-week testing continues to be strongly recommended for both students and staff. Testing continues to be conducted at home, and students and staff must report any positive result. There is no requirement to report a negative result.

Vaccination is another key component to protect students and staff in school settings. Vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 are open and third dose vaccinations for 16 to 17 year old people are now available.

Hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing will continue wherever possible in Term 1.

Mask rules will remain the same, with students in Years 3 to 6 required to wear a mask (unless exempt) and they are not required outdoors. Together, these measures will give us the best chance to keep children healthy and reduce the risk of them catching and spreading COVID-19.

On behalf of the school, I would like to thank you again for your continued support in helping your child to complete the rapid antigen tests and other COVID Safe measures. As a result of these efforts our school can continue to provide a safe environment for students and staff.

 

Boneo Swimming Carnival

Nervous, intense and scared were my feelings before doing my race. I was doing freestyle and back stroke. They called our girls freestyle, I was up. I was at the back of the line. I could see Miss Presti at the front of the line and I could smell the chlorine water. I jumped in the pool, it was so cold. I swam as fast as I could.

Olivia, Year 3

At first I was scared and at the same time excited. Mr Greening said, “freestyle boys” and I hopped into the pool. Mrs Sykes blew the whistle and we started and I came 3rd. I came 2nd in backstroke and breast stroke. As I came out I was proud. Everybody was cheering for me. I could not believe what I did.

Hart, Year  3