COVID-19 UPDATE

Dear Parents and Families,

COVID – 19 Update

We have been so impressed by the resilience and independence shown by your children during these COVID-19 times.

Your children are excited about both coming to school and seeing you at the end of the day.  We have also enjoyed seeing their happy faces at the gates.

Feedback from parents has been positive. 

We have seen:

• Your children are happily carrying their bags and water bottles and setting themselves up for the day.
• They are noticeably more confident.
• They are less likely to be late.
• Classes are beginning on time with minimal disruption.
• Older siblings are looking after the little ones.
• Children in the ESC are feeling calm and safe.

In the interest of maintaining these benefits to your children and in accordance with the instructions received from the Department of Education Western Australia today, we would like to update you with our new school management arrangements.

We have been instructed to limit the number of parents, carers and visitors on the school grounds to 100.

The Department has encouraged us to continue with our usual management practices to ensure that we do not go over this limit and to continue our good hygiene strategies.

Therefore, we will continue to follow the drop off and pick up arrangements that are currently in place.  All gates will continue to be locked throughout the day.

You are very welcome to attend our school site if you have a pre-arranged meeting.  Please contact the office or your child’s teacher if you would like to organise this.  

Many students from the ESC are released 15 minutes early to assist with safety and to minimise traffic congestion.  The bus also arrives at this time.

We appreciate your support to allow our ESC families to access the oval side kiss ‘n‘ ride between 2.20 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. 

Please do not come through this driveway until after 2.30 p.m. and observe all ACROD parking signs.  The parents of children from the ESC have first priority until 2.30 p.m.

We thank you for your continued support as we work together to provide the best learning opportunities for your children.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Sue Waterhouse                                  Mrs Karen Macri

Principal                                                        Principal

4 June 2020

Kindy Enrolments 2021

If your child is born between 1st July, 2016 - 30th June, 2017 registrations are now open.

Please see the link below for Application Forms and return by post or email  to merriwa.ps@edcuation.wa.edu.au with copies of Birth Certificate and Proof of Address.

https://www.merriwaps.wa.edu.au/page/172/Enrolment

Scholastic Catalogues will be Returning

After a couple of months without the catalogues being delivered to the school, Scholastic will be sending them shortly. So keep a look-out for them in your child's bag - Issue 4 is next.

Drop off Lunches & Other Items

Due to all gates being locked, a staff member will be at the back gate everyday at 12.30pm to collect lunches and other items that need to be dropped off at school.

Library News

Our library is open and operational with all books wiped down and cleaned after each session, ready to be quarantined.

Department of Education WA Update

Dear Parents/Carers,

I want to thank you all for your support in what was one of the most unusual starts to a school term we have ever seen. Together, we have been able to make the best of this situation and ensure your child’s safety and continuity of learning.

Today, the State Government announced changes to education based on a review of current arrangements and updated health advice.

As of Monday, 18 May 2020 all students are expected to attend school, except for those students medically referred to learn from home.

This means students are either:

• at school;
• have a medical referral to learn from home; or
• recorded as absent if they do not attend.

Over the last three weeks we have seen 80% of our students return to school, which has been fantastic.

Current health advice states that schools remain safe for staff and students and should remain open. We want to make sure all children get the best education possible, which is why attending school is so important. We are here to make sure all children are learning and there’s no doubt, schools are the best place for them to learn.

For parents with medical advice that their child should not attend school, we will work with you in partnership with the School of Special Educational Needs: Medical and Mental Health to support your child’s learning from home. If you feel your child is in this category, please do not hesitate to contact me and we will work together on next steps.

If your child does not attend school without a medical reason, they will be marked as absent and will not be provided a learning program.

The extra cleaning and hygiene practices implemented at the start of Term 2 will continue and as part of the social distancing measures, we continue to ask parents/carers to drop children at the school gate and not enter the school grounds.

The State Government will continue to make decisions based on the best health advice. Thank you for your continued support as we move forward.

If you have any questions, please contact us on 6206 2340.

Kind regards,

Mrs Sue Waterhouse

Principal

Merriwa Primary School

Dental Clinic

The Dental Clinic is now open again. If you have an appointment the dental staff will ring and arrange to meet you at the gate on Greyhound Drive. One adult only please.

Thank you!

Thank you for helping us with the drop off and pick up from the school gates.  We really appreciate your goodwill and patience. It is great to have your children back at school.

Water Bottles

   
  Just a reminder for all students to bring their water bottles everyday, so they can refill at the fountains.

Online Canteen

The Clarkson Online Canteen is back up and running as of Tuesday next week. Lunch orders can be placed for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

School Playground