Dear Monty South Community,
It is hard to believe that we are in week seven of Term 3 already. I hope everyone is keeping warm in this rather cold weather we are experiencing. I am looking forward to spring and a little more sunshine.
Remote learning
Last week we sent out a survey in relation to remote learning. We would like to thank everyone who has responded to the survey so far. It is now our task to collate all of your responses to see if the changes and adjustments we made hit their target.
Remote learning certainly has been a new experience for all of us and it is important that we work together to make the process easier and more purposeful for everyone. As I have said previously if something is not clear for you, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher through Seesaw or WebEx, or just call us in the office for support. We will always respond.
One of the biggest impacts the COVID-19 restrictions have had on all of us, particularly the students is the ability to make connections with each other. During the past week Jhye Burton and Jay Reynolds have set up clubs for the students to participate in. Jhye runs basketball drills, fitness clubs, lego club, social catch-ups and online games sessions for the Years 3 – 6’s and Jay runs storytime, show and tell lego clubs, social catch-ups and music/dance/rhyme/yoga sessions for the Prep to Year 2 students.
The level of engagement we have had so far has been wonderful and the students have responded well to these sessions. These clubs will continue throughout Remote Learning 2.0.
TIKTOK and ROBLOX
TikTok is a video-sharing app which some of our students have been using during remote learning. Users can upload and share short videos of themselves lip-syncing to songs or acting out comedy sketches, and add special effects. They can gain followers (‘fans’) and browse other people’s videos.
The age recommendation is 13 and above. However, you don’t have to prove your age when creating an account, so younger children can still use it easily. It’s most popular with under-16s.
Our students have been excited to able to create some wonderful videos, but unfortunately it has recently come to our attention that some students have experienced issues with the use of TikTok. One student has had their account hacked by someone from overseas. This hacker has then assumed the student’s identity and used it to message others. Another student has been accessing in appropriate websites.
Roblox is an online game that some students have been accessing at home as it isn’t a program permitted or accessible at school. It is for ages 12+. It is advertised as ‘the ultimate virtual universe that lets you play, create, and be anything you can imagine’. The precautionary warning we are giving is that some of our students have discovered its ability to allow for communication between people.
Attached to the newsletter you will find some useful Cyber safety advice which can be used as conversation starters with your children and tips on what you can do as a parent to help your child avoid these pitfalls.
Year 6 area
Those of you who have walked through the school ground or travelled along Grand Boulevard may have noticed that there are changes happening in front of the Year 6 classrooms.
This section is being developed as a space for the Year 6’s to meet and spend time together. There will be seating areas and lots of plants and the pavers that were taken up to make way for the new building will be re-laid. Also incorporated into the area will be an outdoor table tennis table which is sure to provide the students with lots of fun.
Bush Block
Tara De Bondi has been working with a group from Haas and Gray who are Indigenous Horticulturists to remove weeds in the bush block particularly the woody weeds. This work will help to prepare the bush block for future planting of indigenous species rather than the invasive varieties that have previously been planted there.
Cath Kingshott has also been assisting in this work. Both Tara and Cath have found it has been a fantastic opportunity to develop their own knowledge about the area which they can then pass onto the students.
Tara was very grateful for the assistance of the Ballock family whose house runs beside the bush block. They very kindly allowed Tara and the group to access water from their site.
Mental health in primary schools project
Montmorency South is one of 10 schools in the Mental Health in Primary Schools pilot project. The pilot will be delivered in partnership between the Department of Education and Training, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the Melbourne Graduate School of Education. The pilot will provide training and resources to support staff to understand and respond to mental health issues that affect primary school aged students. It will also focus on building strong connections between schools and local health services so that students and families are getting the support they need.
Leanne Sheean, Yo Robertson, Hayley Hender and Laura Johnstone have commenced their training. When they have completed their training sessions they will work with the staff.
Professor Frank Oberklaid, from the Centre for Community Child Health, a department of The Royal Children’s Hospital said
“Primary schools are an ideal platform from which to provide mental health services because virtually all children attend school and teachers are in an ideal position to identify children with emerging or existing mental health issues and help put in place effective early intervention strategies.”
This is a great opportunity for Montmorency South.
SENIOR CONCERT NEWS: ALADDIN KIDS 2020
Dear Year 3-6 performers and parents,
As I’m sure you’re aware, our plan to film at the end of this term can no longer go ahead with the extension of restrictions to the end of Term 3, at least. I had hoped to turn our attention to see what was possible for an ‘Arabian Christmas’ at the end of Term 4. We now realise the social distancing restrictions may more than likely still be in place. Or, if lifted would not give us the time required, even modified, to pull together a piece that takes thirty hours minimum rehearsal together.
Apologies I have not contacted you earlier, as conditions out of our control have continued to change, as have our plans!
Our team hopes to make the best of a unique situation and this requires us to be creative and stay inspired. We will keep you informed along the way.
Take care, Jude, Em and Andy.
Penguins
Each night at sunset the world’s largest colony of Little Penguins walk up the beach in Phillip Island to their homes. As visitors are no longer allowed due to COVID restrictions Phillip Island Nature Parks will be live streaming the Penguin parade from 6pm Tuesday 25 August. The livestream will happen on their Facebook Page and YouTube channel. This free 30 minute stream will run nightly from Tuesday. According to Phillip Island Nature Parks, this is perhaps the world’s first livestream of a natural wildlife event at a regular time.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhillipIslandNatureParks/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PIPenguinParade
Warmest regards,
Leanne
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Scholastic Issue 6
Hi everyone. Just letting you know that Scholastic Book Club issues 6 are now available. You can go on their website www.scholastic.com.au to view the latest issue. If you do order from their brochure the books will have to be sent to your home, not to school. There will be a charge of $5.99. Hope you are all staying fit and healthy.
Love Clare Bear
CLC virtual tour
Virtual Tours are available on various dates by visiting www.clc.vic.edu.au
Year 7 applications for 2020 close on Friday 9 October.
Get active E-challenge
RHS sports, the company who supply our school uniforms have created an online challenge.
Games incorporating a mix of Throwing, Jumping and Running events.
https://sites.google.com/view/rhsportsfitnesschallenge/home?utm_source=challlengeedm&utm_medium=mainbutton
Free music lessons
In the interest of keeping music alive during the Covid-19 crisis, DSE Music Tuition is giving access to a full term of both piano and guitar lessons – free to every student across Victoria, no catch, no conditions.
The lessons are streamed video lessons via our streaming platform, can be watched on any device (smart TV, desktop, laptop, tablet or phone) and include additional learning material (sheet music, audio files, etc).
Link to access free lessons: https://dsemusic.com.au/video-lessons or call 0416 586 483
DSE MUSIC
0416 586 483
www.dsemusic.com.au
Online chess tournaments
Northern Star Chess is offering an online program of online inter-school chess tournaments for Term 3. Students can enter individually or as a team. This Friday is your last chance to participate.
Available Events:
Format: 7 round Swiss, 10 minutes per player per game.
Tournament entry fee: $12 per player
Tournament Dates:
Friday 28 August – 1pm to 3.15pm (approx)
For more information: https://NorthernStarChess.com/e-Tourney.html
Or, please contact Pearl 0407 072 250 or info@NorthernStarChess.com
FREE DAILY ONLINE MUSIC, MINDFULNESS and MOVEMENT WORKSHOPS
Power of M – Music Mindfulness Movement is running free mini workshops every day for the duration of the lockdown to help keep families happy and healthy.
The workshops are 20-30 mins and include a different topic each day such as: Self care, kindness, nutrition, gratitude etc.
Each session consists of: stretching, yoga, positive affirmations, a live performance of a song on the topic, relaxation breathing and meditation.
The workshops run Live through the Power of M Facebook Page everyday at 12 noon Mon-Fri.
To access the live workshop tune into Facebook at 12 noon and head on to the Power of M Facebook Page www.facebook.com/gopowerofm
If you would like to receive a notification for the live session please like the page.
A recap of the sessions is also available for on demand viewing post the Facebook live presentation as recordings on both Facebook and YouTube for those unable to tune into the live session.
The links are below:
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/gopowerofm
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWrzi4-aUHlLaMp2CU5bcsA
Online art classes
https://artsmartforkids.com.au/ Artists and instructors take the classes in real-time on Zoom. Suitable for all ages. $12.50 per class + gst.
Whitefriars Catholic College for Boys – virtual tours
Registration for Q&A sessions with Principal Mark Murphy or a virtual tour or a virtual tour with question time with staff & students please visit the Whitefriars website.
Food Relief Information
Red Cross, Brotherhood of St Laurence and the Department of Health and Human Services have implemented the Extreme Hardship Support Program to provide emergency financial assistance to people who are unable to access income support.
To be eligible for this program a person must:
- live in Victoria, and
- be unable to access Commonwealth income support (such as JobKeeper or JobSeeker) or the Victorian International Student Emergency Relief Fund, and
- have zero or very limited income, savings or community support
- be a temporary or provisional visa holder, or an undocumented migrant.
To apply for emergency financial assistance go to www.redcross.org.au/vicrelief. Applicants will need their passport and bank statements showing transactions for the last three months. From Wednesday it will also possible to call a dedicated phone line on 1800 855 240. Speak to someone at Red Cross if you do not have the right visa or bank documents.
FAQs and a fact sheet for community organisations are now available on the
This emergency financial assistance complements other Victorian Government hardship supports available to all people living in Victoria, including the $1500 worker support payment, the $300 test isolation payment, the and the rent relief grant.