Malibu School Newsletter - 2022 Term 1 Week 8
Principal's Pen
Dear families
I hope you are well. We know it has been a difficult time as we navigate through COVID-19 and value the close relationships and communications with you.
Since last weekend, we have had 10 positive cases reported with a significant number of students identified as Close Contacts. The Executive Leadership team have worked tirelesly to identify any staff and students exposed and make sure to inform every family at the earliest opportunity, which is sometimes after hours.
All positive cases were not showing symptoms during their time at school. We continue to put in place every possible measure, though as the majority of our students do not wear masks, they continue to be at greatest risk of exposure.
Families of children identified as a Close Contact have been advised that their child must be in isolation though are permitted to travel on the School Bus Services and attend school if they have returned a negative test and do not have symptoms. We respect the decision of families to keep their child home or to send them to school if they are a Close Contact. All other students are expected to be at school.
Many of our staff are impacted also as they isolate or care for their own children at home. As we, like many schools, are experiencing staffing shortages, some of our classes are combining to ensure our focus remains on the safe continuity of our learning programs with a full complement of class staff.
To assist us in our daily planning, we ask that you;
- Notify us at your earliest convenience (even if after hours) if your child has tested positive, is sick and / or is not coming to school.
Your early communication is very much appreciated and contact details are below.
Contact us at any time at Malibu@education.wa.edu.au
'Contact Us' page on our website at https://www.malibuschool.wa.edu.au/contact
You can even use the 'Contact Us' button on the Schoolzine app from your phone!
You may have heard that the Minister of Education yesterday announced a reduction of measures in schools for term 2. Changes that affect us include the provision for families to attend one off events such as sport carnivals and assemblies. During assemblies, students are still required to keep separate from their peers in other year groups so we will be progressing with some altered options in term 2.
We continue to be available for any questions you may have and appreciate the positive support shown for our staff, who are doing a wonderful job under difficult circumstances too. We continue to keep your child's health and wellbeing at the centre of all decision making and prioritise our people in our Malibu family.
Kind regards
Merrilee Wright
Published Term start and end dates:
This term, school ends for students on Thursday 7th April
Next term, school starts for students on Tuesday 26th April.
School Board Update
On behalf of the School Board I would like to thank all staff, regardless of their role, for everything they have done during this Covid crisis.
You have made strenuous efforts to deliver teaching programmes, support our students and also continue to promote thier connections with the wider community.
A big thank you for communicating beyond your normal school hours, for pulling together when relief isn’t available and creating a safe environment. A job well done and much appreciated.
Yvonne Peters
Chairperson, Malibu School Board
School Board Profile - Aaron Spice
Malibu School welcomes Aaron Spice, Community Development Coordinator for APM Communities, partner in the NDIS to the Malibu School Board as one of our Community Representatives.
Aaron has over 17 years’ experience in the Disability sector, starting his career at Malibu School as an Education Assistant. Aaron shares a deep understanding our families through his own lived experiences shared with his family members with disability.
Aaron is generous with his time and in addition to his full-time role with APM Communities and service to Malibu School, he is the Vice Chair for the Peel Volunteer Resource Centre and a member of the City of Mandurah Access and Inclusion Advisory Board for over 6 years.
Aaron has attended many of our whole-school events, cheering on the students and providing opportunities for families to catch up and seek information and answers to NDIS questions. Aaron is proud to offer his time and support to our Malibu School community and we are delighted to recognise and welcome him as a valued member to our School Board.
Junior 4
We have had a great start to the year getting to know our teachers and reconnecting with our class mates. During literacy we read the book Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See? Through this book we have learnt about colours and animals.
We decided that we would use our creative skills to make a paper machet bear. We practiced fine motor skills to rip up paper and glue. We learned about brown bears and identified their body parts and how they move. We are nearly ready to show it off!
Emma, Linda, Jaqueline,Denise, Fiona
Junior 5
J5 have been settling into routines and enjoying class as a pretty new class grouping. We have been exploring shapes around the school so it was a no-brainer when our clean up day task required us to create an art work- it had to be about circles, squares, triangles and rectangles!
It is really exciting to see students begin to thrive as they adjust to their class. We have a happy room filled with song, laughter and learning. And we also enjoy some down time daily, with students having an opportunity to meditate.
One of our highlights of the week is our visit to the library. J5 has a serious case of BOOKWORMS!!!!
Angela, Michelle, Gelinda, Jade
Middle 2
In M2 we have had a very busy start to the year learning our new routines, classmates, support staff and most importantly familiarising ourselves in our brand new classroom and learning space. The students enjoy working in their new classrooms and are working hard to follow new routines.
Last week we had our first community access outing which was a huge success. Students were very excited to go in a small group of friends to the local shop where they were able to buy an item of choice. In the coming weeks we hope to start venturing out further to further build up our social skills while out in the community.
In class we have been busy learning new concepts and building upon our knowledge learnt in previous years.
We have had a great start to the year so far and can’t wait to see what we will achieve throughout the year.
Katie, Annette, Charmayne, Sally and Sandy
Middle 6
Every day, here in M6, we have been learning Auslan. We are continuously working to say our Acknowledgement of Country in Auslan as well as in English. Each student takes his turn to lead it each day and everybody in the room follows the directions. This has been very successful and is a wonderful way to start our day! We also like to regularly share in reading. This week, as it is Seaweek, we have been reading When Elephants Lived in The Sea. Did you know that elephants were once sea creatures and, over time, have evolved to land animals? We loved discovering how their trunk was like a snorkel and that elephants had flippers before they became feet. M6 is an active class and we do all enjoy some regular movement – we dance, we sing and we play games as we learn. We share our day; we share in learning and we share our feelings. This is what makes M6 a wonderful class!
Bev, Halima, Teresa
Senior 4
Our Senior 4 students have once again retuned to the Mandurah region to participate in this year’s Fishability fishing program. We have been exploring several fishing spots around the Mandurah waterways and looking to hone our fishing skills to catch plenty of fish. It has been an impressive start to the year observing our students engaging with enthusiasm and demonstrating excellent behaviours in public. We are looking forward to continuing our participation in the Fishability program every Thursday morning for the remainder of 2022.
Tony, Dee, Gemma & Jo
Physical Education
Students have quickly settled into their new classes and during their Physical Education lessons they have been actively engaged in practicing and learning new skills. It is amazing energy and activity we see from our wonderful students in 45 minutes.
The middle and senior students have been learning about different batting games and how different batting equipment is used to play different sports e.g. cricket, tee ball, hockey, tennis. They have been practicing batting skills of cricket, by striking a stationary ball from a stand, or striking an underarm bowled ball. These skills have then been used with their peers to play modified games of cricket and 'hit and run'. All the time, students are aware of trying their best, keeping safe and keeping others safe while using the equipment and showing respect by sharing. taking turns and following some simple rules.
Some classes have been experimenting with using modified equipment to participate in a variety of ball games with their class friends.
Our amazing junior students have been hard at play practicing their Fundamental Movement Skills and increasing their confidence in their own movements. They have been moving to music, safely using a variety of equipment while practicing different ways of moving and experimenting with using some sporting objects. Students have participated in a variety of simple fun games, so they have many opportunities to practice their physical skills, while having so much fun.
Debbie and Simone
Arts
This Term in The Arts.
There is no doubt about it, this has been a semester full to the brim with creativity, enhanced physical and thinking skills, personal and emotional understanding and growth, self-expression, collaborative learning, problem solving, imaginative play and so much more. From Drama to Media Arts to Visual Arts it has truly been rewarding for staff to observe every Malibu champion ‘shine’ in their very own unique way.
On a weekly basis there has been a multitude of ‘shining moments’ which have invoked laughter, celebration and in some learning experiences complete bewilderment as to what our students can and have achieved.
This term has been a true testament that The Arts most definitely encourages risk-free exploration and it is this ‘freedom’ in our students schooling which builds their confidence.
Arts Specialists
Lucretia
Dress up for HASS - Friday 1st April
Celebrating Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), we invite all students and staff to dress up as their favourite community member or person. We'll be asking the kids to tell us about their costumes, so please help them out if they need! We're looking forward to a fun day with photos, activities and a parade.
Malibu Nurses Update
Dear parents/carers
Please find attached some information about crunch and sip that you may find useful.
Deidre, Emma, Kelly, Karen, Gemma, Jemma
COVID-19 Information
If you test positive for COVID-19, the infectious period is taken from 48 hours before the onset of symptoms, or 48 hours before the positive test result (if you do not have symptoms) until the end of your isolation period.
For example, if you have no symptoms and you first tested positive on Wednesday afternoon, your infectious period started on Monday afternoon.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you need to notify everyone who has been in contact with you during your infectious period and follow the testing and isolation guide: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/document-collections/covid-19-coronavirus-testing-and-isolation-guide
COVID-19 affects people differently. Due to high levels of COVID-19 vaccination in the community, it is expected that most people will experience mild symptoms and recover at home.
WA COVID Care at Home delivers free home monitoring care for COVID-19 positive patients who may have risk factors that put them at greater risk of becoming seriously unwell, including age, medical history or social factors.
Participants in the program receive daily calls from a health practitioner to check their vital health signs and welfare. They may be provided with an easy-to-use and non-invasive Pulse Oximeter, which measures the oxygen levels in their blood and heart rate.
You must register to be considered for the WA COVID Care at Home program.
For more information and to register, visit
https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus/Managing-COVID19-at-home-and-in-the-community/WA-COVID-Care-at-Home
Contributions and Payments 2022
Community Events and Information
Telethon Holiday Makers
Spectrum Space’s Telethon Holiday Makers Program runs each school holidays in Fremantle, Rockingham and Marangaroo for children with ASD aged 5-18. The program will run a range of activities based on interests as well as fun excursions. This creates a natural social environment where participants have the opportunity to meet like-minded peers and have some new fun experiences along the way!
Rockingham – Tuesday 12 & 19 April, Thursday 14 & 21 April
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
All participants must be enrolled before starting group. Please fill in the expression of interest form here or to call us on 9431 2111.
Activities: include ice skating, bowling, escape room, cultural activities, video game competition, visiting the Fremantle Prison and WA Maritime Museum and much more. Head here to see what’s on.
More information about our groups:
As well as running the Telethon Holiday Makers Program, we also run social groups throughout the school year. Using a strengths-based approach, our social groups connect young people with autism with others and provides opportunities for social interaction, engagement and fun. Designed for specific age ranges, the social groups offer a regular program of events and activities for members. We provide a place where individuals can come to have fun, develop new friendships and learn new skills, enabling them to begin to apply social skills in a natural environment. Participants are invited to make decisions on what they would like to do throughout the term, both individually and as a group.
For more information about our services, please contact us via email, phone on 9431 2111 or visit our website here.
KEYS Parenting Workshops 2022
Please find attached the KEYS Parent Workshop calendar, the Parent Workshop Overview and Parent Workshop Flyers for 2022. Most workshops can be booked online via Trybooking, or if there is no link parents can call KEYS on 9439 1838 to register their interest.
Variety Heart Scholarships - applications still open
Kidsafe WA
Kidsafe WA are excited to announce our 1 Day Symposium – “Pushing the Boundaries in Play” to be held at the Bendat Centre, Wembley on Wednesday May 25th, 2022.
Speakers will be invited to share how they push the boundaries and encourage challenge and risk taking while taking safety into account on a day to day basis.
Please register your interest in attending the event by emailing tracy@kidsafewa.com.au
****Subject to Covid restriactions and may be postponed to later in the year.
Cost will be $30 per person.
Kind Regards
Tracy Blaszkow
Manager Play @ Kidsafe WA
Rockingham Youth Centre Holiday Program & Youth Work Support Service
Please find attached the Rockingham Youth Centre school holiday program for the upcoming Easter Holidays. Registrations are open now and all programs are free.
Additionally, please find our Youth Work Service brochure and referral form attached. Our Youth Workers are available to see young people should they need the support.
For further information please contact-:
Beth Webster - Community Development Officer (Youth)
telephone +61 8 9528 0420
email elizabeth.webster@rockingham.wa.gov.au
League Stars Holiday Clinic
League Stars Holiday clinic is planned for the 22ND of April at Thomas Oval Medina. This would be a great opportunity for the students to see some real Rugby League happening as they complete their clinic - see poster for further information.
For students who are interested in this opportunity all they need to do is head to, https://www.playrugbyleague.com/league-stars/ and follow the prompts to register.
No Limits Netball