Dear parents,

I was very pleased to be able to inform all parents that school would resume on Monday 18^th May for all students. I am sure we had some very excited students once they heard the news. Being with your friends and developing social skills is a key part of school life. I am also sure we had some very relieved parents. I know staff are very eager to resume face-to-face teaching.

Yesterday I thanked everyone for their support, efforts and understanding and I do so again. We could use the PMI strategy to describe our experiences during this crisis. Some were positive; some would have been negative while others would have been interesting.

When all students return on the 18^th May, there are some reminders.

• For health reasons all bubblers are closed. All children will need a water bottle with their name on it.
• Hats must be worn while students are outside during May. June and July are hat free.
• Parents are asked to ensure all clothes have the child’s name on them as the students take off layers as the day warms up. The cooler months sees a big increase in lost clothing.
• Subway lunch orders will resume on Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd May. ALL orders must be sent in to the class teacher no later than Wednesday 9:30am.
• Please keep any children at home that are sick or have cold or flu like symptoms.  If children present with these symptoms, they will be sent home. 

Last Tuesday we held our first Community Council meeting for term two. At this meeting, I outlined the plan to extend the school hall and make associated improvements. For those that have been in the hall when we hold whole school events you know it is very crowded and, in summer, very hot.

We hope to finalise the design process this year and apply to the Block Grant Authority for funding in 2021. If successful, we would look to commence building in late 2021 or in 2022. The school will be required to make a significant contribution, which is one reason why we are not rushing the project. Our reserves for building projects were significantly depleted following the construction of the shade structure and the new toilet block.

Kindergarten Health Checks

Due to the redeployment of Registered Nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic response and the closure of schools, the 2020 physical component of the Kindergarten Health Check has been cancelled. The Academic Unit of General Practice questionnaire data, completed by parents at the beginning of the 2020 school year, has been collected as usual. The results of the questionnaire will be sent to the GP if consent has been given to do so. If parents have concerns regarding the physical check ACT Health recommends you see your GP for assessment. For more information please contact the School Health Team on 5124 1585.

Maths Problem

Congratulations to Emily Patterson (Years 5 & 6), Brody Press (years 1 & 2) and Aman Majok (K-2) who were first drawn out for their year levels, having answered the problems correctly. You prizes will be given to you when school returns. This week we again have three problems.

The Apple Tree  - Kindergarten to Year 2

Owen’s family planted an apple tree right outside his window when he was born. It was 1 metre tall when they planted it.

On Owen's first birthday they measured the height. The apple tree was 1.5 metres tall.

When he turned two, it had grown to 2 metres.

On Owen's third birthday, the tree was 2.5 metres tall.

If this pattern continues, how tall will the tree be on his fourth birthday? What about his tenth birthday? What is the pattern?

A Simple Reversal - Years 3 & 4

The product of 3 and 24 is 72. The sum of 3 and 24 is 27, which is the reverse of 72. Can you find other pairs of numbers such that their product is the reverse of their sum?

A Phone-y Deal - Year 5& 6

We often see advertisements from phone companies competing to earn business by offering various calling plans.

One of them, Horizon, offers 700 minutes of calls per month for $45.99, and additional minutes are charged at 6 cents per minute.

Another company, Stingular, offers 700 minutes for $29.99 per month, and additional minutes are 35 cents each.

Which do you think is the better deal and why?