Head of Preparatory School - Edition 12 - 2021

Up and Running Again

While we are back at school and enjoying some continuity, unfortunately, we are still having to follow SA Government guidelines such as asking parents to avoid coming into school if possible. Wearing face masks and scanning QR codes is becoming second nature for us all.

Welcome – sorry about the stilted start!

We have had a very smooth second start to the term and the students who have joined us have settled in really well.

Two New Classes

The beginning of this term saw two classes of students commence their schooling journey in our Transition program. The majority of them had moved across from the Early Learning Centre, but for all students, the start to their time at school was anything but ordinary. They had one day in their shiny new uniforms before we were asked to switch to learning from home. This was particularly challenging for these young learners but under the guidance of Ms Morisset and Ms Crockford, they managed admirably. Being back at school post lockdown has been very welcome for students and teachers.

COVID continues to have an impact

While it has been a welcome return to School for all of the staff and students, there is no denying that the impact of the COVID pandemic continues to be felt across the Westminster Community.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of the activities, we have had to cancel two upcoming events that are always highlights of the year for the children.

The Grandparent/Special Friends' Day that we had planned for Friday 27 August has had to be cancelled. Having 500+ very special people in our auditorium, enjoying morning tea and then visiting classes is not something that I can imagine being able to happen in just a few weeks’ time.

Similarly, on Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 August, we were hoping to be able to invite all of the Fathers in for a shared breakfast which is usually kindly served by the Friends of Westminster – but unfortunately, this too has proven to be outside of the current government restrictions.

The Fences are down!

Observant visitors (from the front gate or driveway) may have noticed that the construction fences have come down from the classrooms at the front of the school. I am delighted to report that St Marys Building have finished renovating the second block of classrooms and Mrs Daniel and her Year 5 class have eagerly taken up residence in this exciting learning space.

Boys and Girls combined South West/Southern Valley Hockey Teams

Congratulations to the following players who have been selected to represent the South West District at upcoming state carnivals in their chosen sports.

Hockey: Paige Grigg (Year 7 Forder) Adelle Parkinson-Need (Year 7 Fereday), Paige Buckley (Year 7 Fricker) and Evelyn Junge (Year 5 Crown)
Soccer: Kenzie Lewis (Year 6 Wesley), Aijay Willoughby (Year 7 Kelly) and Amelia Collier (Year 7 Heaslip)

Prep School Photos

We will be taking school photographs from Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 August inclusive. This will incorporate class photos, co-curricular photos and if parents order one, sibling photographs. For this reason, I am requesting that all Prep students come to school in their normal Winter uniform (including blazer) on these three days – even if their class has a sports lesson. The reason for this is that it gives us great flexibility to be able to access the children on any of the three days as many of them will appear in multiple photographs and sports uniform, while practical – just doesn’t look as sharp. Health/PE classes will continue as timetabled but be modified to allow for this temporary change to the dress code.

Christmas Closure dates

While it seems a long way off, some families may be planning for their Christmas vacation (probably somewhere local). To assist with these ponderings, I can confirm that at a recent meeting it was decided that while the school year concludes at 1.00 pm on Wednesday 9 December and returns on Monday 31 January, dates vary a little for our Early Learning Centre and Vacation Care services. ELC and Vacation Care dates are as follows:

• ELC - final day on Friday 10 December – commences again Monday 17 January 2022.
• Vacation Care - final day on Friday 17 December – commences again Monday 10 January 2022.

WestSwim Swim School

After having been shut down during and after the South Australian lockdown, we are very pleased to announce that we will be resuming most lessons from Monday 16 August 2021. Consequently, there will be a lot more movement in and around the Sports and Swimming Centre.

To limit external visitor exposure to our students, the 3.45 pm lessons will be exclusive to Westminster School students. We are likely to remain in this position for the remainder of the term. If your child is currently enrolled in the WestSwim Swim School, please arrive for your lesson as usual.

Please also note the following:

• We request that only one parent/caregiver attend per student.
• You MUST wear a mask at all times.
• You MUST check-in via the QR codes in the centre (this goes for all families who access the Sports and Swimming Centre for any reason as these have now been updated to be separate from the main School buildings).
• Due to Intercol, there will be no Swim School lessons on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 August.

Whole School Photo

The Whole School Photo has been delivered to the School and will be distributed next week to families who ordered via your nominated child. They will be handed over rolled up in a protective tube. While it is clearly stated on the label not to extract until home, it would be appreciated if you could remind your son or daughter of this as it will be difficult to re-insert without possibly damaging the photo. The photographer has supplied the School with a limited quantity of extras, which we can offer at the special 60^th Anniversary price of $49.50. If you missed out on ordering earlier in the year, please visit https://www.trybooking.com/BRGLA. There are some extra photo boards available too at $148.50, which can be ordered through the same link. As the boards require additional handling and care, those who ordered the photo boards will be contacted separately to make an arrangement to collect.

Grant Bock
Head of Preparatory School