NEWSLETTER

Dear Parents,

The Challenging Term

As Term 3 comes to an end, after ten weeks of unprecedented 'Remote Learning', our school community can look forward to school holidays and a break from formal learning. Although this is not normal school holidays, I hope you are able to have some down time with your children during the spring break.

This is a time we hope will allow all our students to have some less screen time and some walks and outdoor time, to recharge themselves for the return of our 'Remote Learning' plan next term. The first day of school for Term 4 is Tuesday 5 October (after the October long weekend).

Congratulations to the students for all that they have achieved this term and for the resilience shown to never give up, even when times have been extremely challenging. A very big thank you to all our parents for the work that you have done to support your children with their Remote Learning. I know that many of you have made huge sacrifices to be able to check over your child’s work, encourage them to do their best, help them submit tasks and put up with the extra ‘mess’ that is around the house as they construct projects and art works. I know many of you have had to change work schedules to suit and were often working very late into the night to ‘fit everything in’. I also know that having the children learning from home tests everyone’s patience, not to mention the larger than normal food bill!

I know you also join me in thanking the staff for all they have done to ensure Remote Learning has been so successful. The teachers have worked hard to make sure the tasks were purposeful as well as engaging. They adjusted their learning to cater for all student’s needs, and were able to give extraordinary amounts of feedback to students. These were through Google Meets all day, everyday, as well as making mountains of phone calls and emails home to touch base and problem solve.

The Teacher Aides have been amazing supports for the teachers and students, as they provided direct support at school or online via Meet. Therefore, I applaud all our staff, both teaching and support, for their ability to be so flexible, adapt quickly and, like you, choose the positive path when things at times were overwhelming.

I have been inspired by our school community's daily resolve to stay positive and take a pragmatic stance when things were hard or challenging. I thank you for looking after one other, reaching out when you knew someone needed that gentle reassurance or just to connect. Thank you also for looking after your teachers and for those who regularly said ‘Thank You’. These two small words mean so much.

NAPLAN Results

This week the 2021 NAPLAN results for the school were released. Once again Alexander school students in Years 3 & 5 received excellent results and have made very pleasing progress. The individual student reports have been posted home. If you have not received it already, it should arrive early next week.

The Road Ahead

We are currently planning for a staggered return of year groups during Term 4. The specific dates of each year group’s return to face-to-face learning will be published early in Term 4 in line with NSW Health guidelines.

We have already been advised that when our students are able to return, very strict COVID guidelines will be in place. Although these guidelines may mean that normal activities we enjoy at school cannot go ahead, our priority, as always, is to provide a safe environment for all our students and staff.

We understand the restrictions of the pandemic will continue to present a challenge for the community, however we are confident that the work of our teachers and students in Remote Learning will prepare us for a successful return to school. As always, we will keep you updated with the latest NSW Health advice. At this stage, all students will be starting with Remote Learning in Week 1 Term 4.

I have missed you all, as well as the normal ‘buzz’ of school life. We need our students at the school to thrive. Empty classrooms were never meant to be. I look forward to your return next term. In the meantime, I would like to wish all of our families a wonderful Spring holiday and whilst there will not be the chance to get away, I pray that for each of you, there will be ample opportunity to spend time as a family and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Manoug Demirjian

AGBU ALexander Primary School presents a unique online “Fathers Day” Concert

ՀԲԸՄ Ալեքսանտր Վարժարանը կը ներկայացնէ առցանց իւրայատուկ «Հայրերու Օր»-ուայ Հանդէս