Dear families,

$5,000,000 Building Program

You may recall that in 2017 we were granted five million dollars for building and refurbishment of our school.  This work was then deferred as high schools needed to prepare for the influx of year 7 students and builders were in short supply.

This year we have been advised that our work will begin and on Tuesday of this week, we have architects visiting the school to get a first-hand look at the layout of buildings in readiness for what we want to have done.  There is already a list of items that were attached to the initial design work in 2017/2018, but we are keen to get your thoughts about what you would see as the best way to improve our facilities at Woodend Primary School.

Please respond via this blogpost with your thoughts and ideas. Facilities can include almost anything within the school grounds including the oval area, which is what we want to hear about.

It is important to update our information as almost 4 years have passed since the initial planning. The initial ideas included a Covered Outdoor Learning Area where the courts are adjacent to the gymnasium, signage, a change to the entrance to the gymnasium, improvements to our Science and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) facilities.

Please feedback your thoughts by responding to this Post. You will be updated via the blogpost as we learn more about what has been decided and proposed timelines.

COVID-19

Our school continues to manage the COVID-19 in a safe and yet sensible manner. Volunteers have been permitted to return to the Kitchen program as well as the Canteen, as well as excursions being resumed, in order to maintain our  program for students. There are strict guidelines to enable these  to happen and I thank the parents who have been involved for their patience and understanding. Sheena-Margot Lavelle in the Kitchen has been providing a comprehensive learning program, as well as incorporating a range of tasty recipes for students in year 3-5. The Canteen opening during recess and lunchtimes has been welcomed by students.

As directed by The Department, we continue to limit adults in buildings to those with a particular purpose such as our support staff from The Department and for parent meetings. The recent Acquaintance Evening was well attended and the lovely thing was that parents got to see what their child’s classroom looks like for 2021.

We continue to check that both students and staff attending school are well and not showing any signs of illness. Please be aware that if you do send your child to school with a runny nose, cough etc that you will be contacted to take them home until the symptoms have disappeared.

We ask that if you are unwell in any way, that you do not come onto the school grounds, as this keeps everyone safe. You may have read that there has been a spike in traces of COVID-19 in the CBD wastewater that as yet cannot be explained. This reminds us of the ease that the virus can spread, with so many of our parents, students and staff attending various Fringe or WOMAD events.

School Closure Day Change – now 6-9-2021

The Royal Adelaide Show has been shortened this year and will begin on Saturday 4th September instead of the traditional Friday. Hence we have altered out School Closure date to be on Monday 6th September to enable families to use it to attend the Show if they wish to.

Governing Council AGM

This will be held in the Atrium on Wednesday 31st March at 6:30pm.  Various Reports will be given and it is an opportunity to ask questions that you may have about the school. We will have a seating arrangement that allows us to remain COVID safe and there will be the usual sign in procedures. It would be great to see you there.

Keep safe and I hope you enjoyed the long weekend.

Kind regards,

Steve Freeman
Principal