Parent Update 25.1.22

Dear Students and Families,

As we prepare for the start of the 2022 School year we did not expect the fires but hope everyone is as well as can be with the fires now under control. We had hoped Covid would have abated but we will continue to work within recommended guidelines and support each other for what we can do as we undertake a return to school that hopefully has everyone back by the 14th of February 2022.

I am writing to you to update you around returning to school in 2022. We have some covid conditions to navigate ( Covid-19 Update 25.1.22.pdf), collecting books updates will be shared following a review with Teachers on Thursday 27/1/2022 to see what will work best. For those wanting to get uniform, pay fees etc or who have questions please call, email or come into the front office but if you notice that the foyer already has 4 customers inside, please wait on the decking so we can maintain social spacing. We are open each day from 8:15am till 4pm and have moved our student services/administration back from the Library to the Administration building with some staff shuffles.

Community Library: Our community library will be closed to community members during school hours in the first 4 weeks of school January 31st to February 26th 2022, but will be open again after this if Covid updates allow. We will offer carpark support and still be open on Saturdays and after school for Community Members. Please give Kerena a call if we can assist any community members over this 4-week period.

Staffing Update: Natasha Wilkin was going to be the Year 5/6 class teacher, however Tash has requested leave for the next 12 months. This request was made as the 2021 school year finished. I have worked with HR across the Xmas/New Year Break to support Tash with her request and have this week finalised a suitable replacement in order to support Tash’s request for leave for family/personal reasons.

Jess Mckinnon (Tom is her brother) has accepted a 12-month contract with us and will take Tash’s 5/6 Class. Jess is relocating to Lucindale at this very moment. Jess is from the Barossa and has grown up on a farm just out of Kapunda. Jess has always enjoyed being a part of a country community playing different sports that Kapunda offered. In her spare time Jess enjoys doing crafty projects and spending time with family, friends and miniature dachshund. She has always wanted to teach in a rural country school and looks forward to learning and growing together.

We thank Brad Sheather, Toby Simpson and Dale Simpson who have helped across the Summer as we worked to backfill the Grounds Manager role. We will be advertising a permanent position later this term and have found a suitable applicant to take on the short-term contract. We will update you on our new Grounds Manger soon but thank everyone who has helped to get the school ready for 2022.

Uniform/laptops/School Fees: We are open for you to come in and collect uniform, pay fees, purchase or rent laptops etc. We do ask that you come to the Administration building between 8:15am and 4pm and wear a mask, use hand sanitizer and socially space.

Catastrophic Days: At the end of 2021 we received an update that Lucindale Area School will now be closed on days forecast to be Catastrophic. Please note this means that as of 31st of Jan 2022 our school will be closed on days forecast to be Catastrophic and our buses will not run. Further information will be included on our website shortly along with our bus policies.

Student Equipment: For students who are not in R/1/2, Year 7/8 and Year 11 or 12 we will provide information on Thursday regarding how to collect or have delivered their book packs and any other items teachers would like students to have. We intend to utilise bus runs where appropriate to minimise travel and support families as much as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Adrian Maywald

Copy of Letter  Parent Update 25.1.22.pdf