Newsletter
Term 1, Week 2
Principal's Address
I would like to welcome all our new and returning students to the 2022 school year at Leinster Community School.
On the very first morning, we held a welcome back to school assembly. It was an opportunity for me to introduce myself to everyone, including the parents who attended, discuss the schools' code of conduct and expectations for the year ahead. At this assembly we also introduced our wonderful new and returning teaching faculty of staff:
- Kindy/Pre-Primary – Rachel Shaddick and Danielle Rowan (EA)
- Pre-Primary/Year 1 – Maddie Ellis and Tracy Lawrance (EA)
- Year Two – Zak Hyde
- Year 3/4 – Tahlia Elmer
- Year 5/6 – Sean Reynolds
- High School – Carmen Doyle
We also have Tayla Donohoe and Raenella Cooray with us for the next four weeks from flying squad to provide support across the school including the areas of PE and arts.
The return of students to school has been a very unique experience, with the increase of COVID-19 cases in Perth we have had to comply with the Department of Education’s directives. I fully understand that it has been difficult for parents to leave the younger students at the door so early in the year, but it's with health and wellbeing for our own community in mind that we appreciate all of the school families for compiling with this request and want to say thank you for showing understanding for our teachers.
We have provided the early years student’s two options to enter their classrooms of a morning to minimise the risks associated with having large numbers of people in the same area. Parents of these students may enter the class area through the following two options; coming into the school grounds through the back gate or through the gate adjacent to the classroom.
The latest restrictions will change the events that we are able to run this year, in particular our school assemblies. These events will now be reduced to smaller groups of students as we cannot hold whole school assemblies going forward at this point in time. Similarly under the current directive we will not be able to run a parent open night as originally planned for next week, so teachers will be sending information home to parents through SeeSaw.
The students have had a big week participating in swimming lessons so soon after returning to school but they have all done very well, I hope that everyone enjoyed their time in the pool and succeeded in learning new skills.
My door is always open, so if we haven't already met or you'd like to have a chat about anything please feel free to come into the office or give me a call on 9055 9600.
Leanne Kelleher
Principal
New Department of Education directive following the Premier's update this week
If you missed the School Stream announcement earlier this week, please take a moment to read and familiarise yourself with the latest directive.
Further to my previous COVID-19 communications, you may have seen the announcement of the high caseload settings in place across WA as of Tuesday 8 February 2022. This includes additional measures to keep our schools open and providing face-to-face learning to your children.
In the current settings, parents and carers can no longer enter classrooms, including to volunteer. Volunteering in the canteen or at the uniform shop is still permitted, while following the WA Government mask wearing mandates, and physical distancing from other adults.
You are allowed on school grounds for drop-off and pick-up in outdoor locations, but please physically distance, avoid gathering where possible and follow mask wearing requirements as applicable in your region.
We are currently planning and implementing further ways to minimise the risk of COVID-19 entering or being transmitted at schools including:
- moving parent-teacher interviews to online or over the phone;
- changing indoor face-to-face events;
- cancelling or postponing school camps;
- limiting the mingling of groups; and
- modifying timetables, break times, and pick-up and drop-off times, where practical if applicable.
We are working through these changes and you will receive further communications as the details are confirmed. For more information on the high caseload protocols visit WA.gov.au.
Thank you for your understanding as we take the necessary steps to keep our school safe and open for learning.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the school on 9055 9600.
Interested in becoming a chaplain?
Are you interested in becoming a chaplain? You can join YouthCARE in making a difference in young lives, their families and school communities.
YouthCARE is the largest provider of school chaplaincy services in WA state schools. Chaplains work as guests in school communities, providing valuable support for students, families and staff.
Their vision is that every state school in WA has access to the services and support of a YouthCARE chaplain. If this sounds like something you would be interested in please contact Heather van Oyen for Goldfields - Esperance on 08 9376 5000 or 0458 042 319.
In Term Swimming
This week students from Pre Primary right through to Year 12 underwent their in term swimming lessons. Here is a couple of photos from throughout the week across the grades. Well done to everyone who participated and gave it their very best! Certificates were distributed to the class teachers this afternoon so please check your child/ren's bags when they get home.
We have also had some swimming goggles handed into reception, but if you're missing any swimming items please also check the Leinster Community Pool's lost property basket.
Leinster Community School Choir and Band
If your child has expressed an interest in joining the school choir or band, then I warmly invite them to do so. It is an excellent opportunity to develop singing and musical skills in a relaxed environment. Choir will run on Wednesday mornings at 7.30am in the Music Room commencing Week 4. Band will run on Thursday afternoons from 2.30pm to 3.30pm in the Music Room commencing Week 4 also. At this time, the choir is open to all students from Year 1 to 10 and band is open to students from Year 3 to 12. My expectation is that students who join either program will show a commitment to the choir and/or band and failure to do so may result in being asked to leave the program. I look forward to seeing the many returning faces and some new ones this year.
An update from the P&C
The AGM will be held next Wednesday 16 February at 5.30pm at the Leinster Tavern Bistro. New members are welcome and encouraged to come down and get involved. All positions must be filled to ensure the committee is successful in running events and providing additional resources to the school. The committee meets for roughly one hour each term and tasks mostly include fundraising activities and two school disco events.
The school uniform order that was placed earlier this year has been delayed, however it is expected to arrive next week. Once the shelves have been restocked we'll update everyone via the Leinster Community School P&C Association Facebook page (and the school newsletter) so please like and follow the P&C on Facebook if you're not already doing so. Click the image below for pricing.
Upcoming Events in Term 1
Under the current Department of Education directive, several planned activities and events are currently on hold so our planned events for Term 1 is looking a little light until such time as it is safe to reschedule activities.
February
16 February - P&C AGM (New members welcome)
28 Feb - 04 Mar - Humphries Dancing (K-Y12)
March
07 March - Public Holiday
16 March - Board Meeting
25 March - Ride to School Day (PP-Y12)
Leinster Community School
Email: leinster.cs@education.wa.edu.au
Website: http://leinstercs.wa.edu.au/
Location: Gledden Dr, Leinster WA, Australia
Phone: 08 9055 9600