Malibu School Newsletter - 2022 Term 2 Week 5

Principal's Pen

Dear families

With colder weather, I hope you and your families are well and continue to thrive. We continue to experience staff shortages with many of our staff on leave. The support from the Department has been great, however, supply of staff has exceeded demand in ours and many schools.

This has meant that every class is likely to have at least one or two relief staff each day and some of our students join in other classes.

Last week we started our year PP to 6 two week swimming program at Aqua Jetty and I am very proud of all of the staff for their flexibility in making this happen. There are some fabulous pictures on our Facebook page. I know you join me in recognising the efforts of all in making sure that our primary swimming program could go ahead and that across the school, each day is a great day for your child. 

We know it's not easy to test children for COVID-19 and the tests can be expensive. When children are household close contacts, they may come to school if they have no symptoms and have returned a negative RAT each morning, just like Malibu staff do. Every school child in WA has been issued with a box of 20 RATs, most sent home with your child. Please let us know if your child has not yet received theirs or you can come by the office to pick it up. 

As you are aware, COVID-19 continues to impact our school community and has presented us with challenges in managing both student and staff attendance. I am pleased that together, we have been able to make the best of this situation and to ensure your child’s continued learning.

Due to the ongoing disruptions, our school's Semester 1 Student Reports may look different to those you have received previously. Where possible, we will provide you with information about your child's progress towards achieving their agreed individual education plan objectives. We will also let you know if we have had to delay or modify objectives.

Should you wish for additional information on your child’s progress, you will have the opportunity to discuss at a parent/teacher conference with an evening option available, planned for Wednesday evening, 20th July. Daytime options will also be available. 

Staff movements - I am delighted to welcome teacher Verity Besseling to M5. Verity will be working from Tuesdays to Fridays and brings a wealth of experience in supporting students with special needs. She has been working with the team in M5 for a few weeks and has quickly established herself as part of the Malibu team. On Tuesday, we also welcome teacher Lisa Thomas to J3 who has an extensive history in Education Support as an EA before finalising her teaching degree. Lisa will be working with the team to establish a strong relationship with the students and families in her class and drawing on the support of the team for the remainder of term 2. 

Sadly, I advise that our Middle Cluster Deputy, James, will be leaving us to persue opportunities beyond education. James stepped into the position with very short notice last year and contributed to a fabulous year of learning, review and planning as part of the ELT team. His persistence to support the trial and implementation of additional Senior Secondary programs has benefited all of our students for years to come. While we are very sad to see James go, we wish him every success and know his kind spirit, thoughtfulness and natural leadership will take him to exciting places. 

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement as we work together to provide the best learning opportunities for our students. As we progress, I’ll be sure to keep you updated with any new information.

Kind regards
Merrilee Wright

National Reconciliation Week

We acknowledge and pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the state and acknowledge their Elders past and present.

This week – 27 May to 3 June we celebrate National Reconciliation Week. Its theme – Be Brave. Make Change. – sets us the challenge to continue making ever important strides towards a culturally responsive and reconciled society. This challenge is essential to becoming an equitable education system where truth-telling is embedded in how we work, teach and live.

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all of us to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. National Reconciliation Week means acknowledging the past and finding a way forward together - to Be Brave. Make Change.

We are proud to make a deliberate and explicit effort to continue to build a culturally safe school where the history and culture of Aboriginal people is valued, respected and celebrated. 

School Board Update

On behalf of the school community, the School Board express sincere appreciation and gratitude Yvonne Peters for her long-standing service as the School Board Chair and Community Representative. During our last meeting, Yvonne stood down from both positions, having led the Board in the role of Chair for the last five years.

Yvonne commenced her school support role as a member of the P&C over eight years ago, before transitioning to the School Board, continuing to serve even after her grandson Michael graduated from Malibu School. Over the years, she has been involved in the appointment of two Principals, participated in two school reviews, supported a number of families, has continued to volunteer in numerous programs and activities, championed for the school at every opportunity and has established herself as a valued member of our school community. 

As one of her last acts of service on the Board Yvonne congratulated Leanne Stewart, one of our School Board Parent Representatives, to the role of incoming Board Chair. We have been very fortunate to have strong family and community representation on our Board and Leanne is experienced and well-placed to continue the strong governance and leadership standard set by Yvonne. 

Not one to sit idly, we are most grateful for Yvonne's promise of ongoing involvement in other school activities which includes continuing her active involvement with families during our weekly Little Stars Playgroup Plus each Friday. 

Thank you, Yvonne. We celebrate your achievements and contributions to the students, staff and families of Malibu School.

Malibu Staff Profile - Annette Liley EA

Annette started at Malibu School as a volunteer over 20 years ago, having worked previously in personnel at a Mining Company. As a long-standing permanent member of the team, her favourite thing about working at Malibu is the students and the staff working together to achieve the best outcomes for our students. 

She values, and is proud of, her close-knit family. After a break, she is has enjoyed getting back into photography (see some of Annette's incredible photos below), a passion she very much loved sharing with her treasured late brother. 

Her colleagues would describe her as loyal and trustworthy. She works with the students, rather than "telling them" what they have to do.

I hope and strive to make school life happy, especially for our students who face hard challenges. I think I work hard to get kids to know that I will always value their worth and get them to acknowledge their own achievements at school and in life. Making students proud of themselves make it much easier for them to reach their goals.

Junior 4

It has been a lovely start to term2 with J4 students and staff very happy to return from the school holidays. We were keen to begin work on achieving our great IEP goals for this term.

J4's team is so proud of all our students!

We have started learning about enterprise, shopping and the purpose of money. All students have  enjoyed playing with our little shop and practicing their social skills needed to buy and sell things. We took advantage of the good weather at the beginning of this term, by practicing our gross motor and ball skills regularly. It has been so much fun rolling, kicking and throwing the ball to each other.

Emma Lutz, Linda, Jaqueline, Denise, Fiona

Junior 5

Full Speed Ahead for Term 2!

J5 students have had a great start to term 2, enjoying our new, part-time teacher, Tylah, who has now become Angela, every Wednesday and Friday.

We have accomplished so many things already!

One of the most recent highlights was our Starlight Day Disco, where J5 showed off their amazing dance moves and awesome costumes to everyone.

Everybody had a great time, dancing and playing in the bubbles, especially Ciahn, who won the grand prize for the most Beautiful Costume. Well Done Ciahn!!!!

Last week, we all worked hard making special presents and cards for Mother’s Day, to give to all of our wonderful parents.

Everyone in J5 has settled in well, after the last break and is back into the classroom routine. We are looking forward to all the fun planned for this term.

Angela Tomlinson, Tylah Adams, Michelle, Gelinida, Jade, Annette

Middle 2

M2 students have certainly hit the ground running this term with some amazing work! 

We started the term off with an excursion to Kwinana Adventure Park, where everyone had a great time playing and exploring the playground with their friends from M3. They all enjoy being out and about in our community which have been a huge success as they especially look forward to our weekly trips to IGA. The last month has been very busy for us with a Constable Care Incursion, ANZAC ceremony and our Starlight Day.

In the classroom, all students have settled back into their classroom routines and are working hard towards reaching their IEP goals.

We are excited for the term ahead and all the exciting times that are coming up!

Katie Borthwick, Annette, Sandy, Sally and Charmayne

Middle 6

M6 has certainly faced some challenges already in the first three weeks back and I’m so proud to say, that our students, have overcome them like champions.

We have had many students and staff away and these changes have been difficult for everyone, but our M6 students have continued with their positive attitudes and a can-do approach.

This term, M6 students have been learning about money. It has involved developing skip counting skills. We have focused particularly on counting coins and notes in fives and tens.

In English, we have continued developing skills to write sentences. M6 students are making great strides in communicating ideas and listening to all the wonderful discussions that they are making with each other.

We are so proud of you all!

Bev Haji, Halima, Teresa

Senior 4

The Great Bake Off.

Senior 4 students have been showcasing their baking skills to create sweet and savoury breads, cupcakes, biscuits and more! This year, our students will be participating in ASDAN’s Baking Course, developing skills to use with a range of baking equipment and kitchen appliances. During each baking session, Senior 4 students will be a focusing on hygiene and preparation of their work area and gain awareness of possible dangers in the kitchen.

In addition, students are responsible for collecting their equipment and ingredients needed to follow a recipe or instructions to make their baking creations.

Tony Chiovitti, Deidre, Colleen, Gemma

Phys Ed

Physical Education lessons continue to be full of energy, activity and enthusiasm.

The fine weather has enabled students to get out on the school bike track and continue to improve their cycling skills. I am always so impressed with all student awareness for taking care when overtaking other cyclists, so they know how to avoid banging into a fence or another bikes. They show wonderful control for both their speed and direction and ensure that they always wear their safety helmets. 

In the Junior area, we have been learning a variety of movement songs, focussing on following instructions to move our bodies in different ways as well as learning when they should start and stop moving during the songs.

We have also learnt and played a variety of warm-up games focussing on learning the rules of the game and then following these rules, including how to wait and take turns when participating as part of a team.  We have been experiencing in relays, obstacle courses and skills development activities focussing on the development of our locomotor Fundamental Movement Skills which include - walking, jumping and hopping.

We also have been developing our stability-based Fundamental Movement Skills, which are our balancing, turning, bending and stretching skills. 

We have engaged in a range of activities to learn different kinds of sports. These include sit-down volleyball, basketball, cricket and tee-ball. Not only have we been learning skills in each new game, but we have also learnt all the different rules of each sport as well as how to use our bodies with the equipment safely.

Students in Middle and Senior classes have been practicing using a variety of different batting equipment. They have been learning new skills on how to participate with their peers especially when using the equipment for each game. Both standard bats, as well as modified bats have been used by all students and staff members. They have enjoyed trying tennis, using all variety of balls which include beach balls, balloons and tennis balls that have been specially modified so that they are smaller and bounce slower. Students have also been enjoyed learning and playing Cricket. They become so excited to run between the wickets and avoid ‘getting out’.

Some senior classes are learning how to use golf clubs correctly, in safe way whilst playing on the school’s mini golf course creating some keen competition. Students are supported to begin with whilst using any type of batting equipment to ensure they are aware of safety including which is the safe position and how to share and take turns when it’s required to do so.

Simone Hiller and Debbie Flynn

National Sorry Day / Day of Healing

Every year on 26 May, Australia pauses to acknowledge the grief, trauma and loss suffered by the Stolen Generations by observing National Sorry Day. This notable date on the Australian calendar presents a time to reflect on its true importance and share the steps towards healing for the First Australians affected, as well as their families and communities.

The effects of the Stolen Generation live on in the hearts and minds of every Indigenous Australian. National Sorry Day reminds us all to respect the trauma that our fellow Australians hold in their cultural story.

If you’d like to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of Indigenous peoples, the Stolen Generations’ Testimonies project shares the personal testimonies of Australia’s Stolen Generations Survivors through the medium of film. You may also like to explore the website Dealdly Story which has activities for your whole family.

If you or your loved ones have been affected by the child removal policies and would like support in your healing journey, please reach out to the Healing Foundation. This website also has activities that you might share with your child. Alternatively, there are Link-Up services available across Australia to help members of the Stolen Generations reconnect with their families and find out about their family history.

Malibu Nurses Update

Hand Hygiene

We recently celebrated world hand hygiene day, and with winter coming it’s a perfect reminder to keep our hands clean and prevent the spread of bugs.

When should I and my children wash my hands?

Before:

• Preparing or eating food
  
• Breastfeeding/ feeding a child
• Giving medication to a child or applying ointment to sores
• Touching, cuddling or holding a sick child.

After:

• Helping a child use the toilet, changing pad or nappy
• Using the toilet yourself
• Wiping your nose or your child's nose
• Touching, cuddling or holding a sick child
• Touching objects a sick child has touched (particularly objects put in mouth)
• Touching a wound
• Touching pets or other animals
• Your hands have become dirty looking

How should I and my children wash my hands?

1. Wet your hands.
2. Apply soap or hand wash and rub your hands for 15–20 seconds – you can tell children this is as long as it takes to sing 'Happy Birthday' twice.
3. Make sure you wash the back of the hands, wrists, between the fingers and under fingernails.
4. Rinse and dry with a clean towel. 

Is there anything else I should do to maintain good hygiene?

• not sharing cups, cutlery or personal items like toothbrushes
• encouraging children to cough or sneeze into their elbow
• using tissues instead of hankies – teach your child to throw tissues into the bin as soon as they have used them and to wash their hands afterwards.

If your child is unwell keep them home from child care, and school until they are well again. Use hot, soapy water to wash items (e.g. toys, teething rings) that a sick child has been in contact with during their illness.

Thank you for keeping each other safe from germs!
Malibu Nurses

COVID-19 Information

We continue to have positive cases reported across the school and thank our families for thier early communications about your child's absence. 

If your child is a close contact, they will need to have no symptoms and be tested every morning to attend school. Thank you for your continued support for keeping our schools COVID-19 safe.

You are welcome to download the following PDFs to explain, in pictures, what COVID-19 is and visuall support for getting tested.

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.

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

If your child is a close contact, they may return to school if they have NO SYMPTOMS with the following conditions, found at the WA Government page, below:

• Close contacts with no symptoms are not required to isolate for 7 days, but must:
• undertake a daily Rapid Antigen Test and obtain a negative result
• wear a mask when leaving the house (unless they have an exemption)
• avoid high-risk settings, including hospitals, healthcare settings, aged care facilities, residential care facilities (including disability care facilities and mental health residential facilities) and correctional facilities unless they work at these locations. Relevant workers entering high risk settings are subject to additional obligations.
• monitor for symptoms

If your child tests COVID-19 positive

• Register your result (external link) with the Department of Health
• Contact the school
• Isolate at home for 7 days,
• If they have no symptoms after 7 days, then no further test is required, and they can stop isolating
• If they have symptoms on day 7, remain in isolation until those symptoms clear or get clearance from a medical professional before leaving isolation

Food Allergy Awareness Week

With the variety of different allergies these days, it is possible you care or know someone that has an allergy either mild or severe, allergies can be a struggle for some and really affect their quality of life. You may be that person that saves a life or supports someone during an allergic reaction!

Access a range of information and resources at Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia. If you subscribe (free), they will send you regular e-newsletters, allergen related food recalls, research opportunities and more. They have a telephone help line with trained health educators to talk you through your food allergy management questions and point you in the right direction for treatment. FOR INFORMATION AND ADVICE CALL 1300 728 000

Community Events and Information

KEYS Parenting Workshops Term 2, 2022

KEYS provide workshops to Parents/Carers with children aged between birth to 18 years living in the Kwinana, Rockingham, Cockburn, Melville and Fremantle regions.

Friday 27^th May to Friday 1^st July 9.30am – 11.30am
Circle of Security - Zoom (online event): Now full, call 9439 1838 for waitlist

Thursday 2^nd June and / or Thursday 9^th June 9.30am – 11.30am
Children’s Emotional Wellbeing: Darius Wells Library/Resource Ctr, Upstairs, Robbos Way, Kwinana  https://www.trybooking.com/BYLMY

Thursday 16^th June 9.30am – 11.30am
Sensory Kids: Darius Wells Library/Resource Ctr, Upstairs, Robbos Way, Kwinana  https://www.trybooking.com/BYLMX

Tuesday 21^st June 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Protective Behaviour Parent Workshop: Mary Davies Library and Community Centre https://www.trybooking.com/BXNTJ

Tuesday 28^th June 9:30am – 12:30pm
Protective Behaviour Parent Workshop: Mary Davies Library and Community Centre https://www.trybooking.com/BXNUC

Bookings via Trybooking as per links above or if no booking link call KEYS to register interest on 9439 1838 or KEYS | Kwinana Early Years Services | Workshops (keyswa.org)

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 25^th, 2022. Cost $30 per person.

Speakers will 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

Motor Mouth Camp - Applications open

Motor Mouth Camp is a fantastic opportunity for families of children aged 6-13 with complex communication needs to get together with others using AAC. Children get to engage in fun therapy activities, parents get access to training and siblings have a varied recreation program.

Volunteering at Motor Mouth Camp is also a great, free professional development opportunity for school staff interested in learning more about AAC.

The next camp will be held during the September / October school holidays. 

See more details and videos from past camps at the following link. Variety Motor Mouth Camp | Variety WA

The Smith Family - Saver Plus info session