Week 1 Update
Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome back to all of our students and families for the start of Term 4. We have had a number of new students start with us this term and I would like to to also welcome our new students and families to Dianella Primary College. As is always the case, we have a very busy term ahead of us.
NAIDOC Celebrations
This week we have held our Dianella Education Precinct NAIDOC celebrations. Across the week our students have participated in a variety of different activities celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture.
Students have learnt traditional dances and games, tried their hand at boomerang throwing, learnt traditional weaving methods, learnt about animal conservation and added their hand prints to our new Noongar seasons mural.
The week was finished off with a Dianella Education Precinct Assembly, where our students did an outstanding job dancing to open the assembly and our choir presented the Noongar Seasons song that they have been learning with Mrs Davey, well done to all of our performers, you did an amazing job!
Big thank you to Mrs Goodall, Mrs Honey, Ms Burgess and Mrs Davey for all of their hard working coordinating the weeks events. Woola!
Loud Shirt Day
On Friday 21st October we will be holding a loud shirt day. Loud Shirt Day is an initiative of the Telethon Speech and Hearing Centre raising money for research into hearing loss. As we have a number of students across the school who are impacted by hearing loss, we felt that this was a great initiative to support. On the day students and staff are asked to wear their loudest (brightest) shirt for a gold coin donation. All money raised will go to the Telethon Speech and Hearing Centre. We will have some small prizes available for the loudest shirts!
Changes to Covid Isolation
As you would be aware, West Australia has agreed on 30 September 2022 to implement a nationally consistent approach to easing Australia’s COVID-19 response measures.
From today (14 October 2022) the COVID Transition (Testing and Isolation) Directions are revoked. This removes mandatory requirements for isolation and testing for cases and close contacts.
We know that COVID-19 remains a risk to our health and wellbeing, particularly those vulnerable to respiratory illness, so it is very important for all of us to take personal responsibility to keep ourselves, our families and our colleagues safe.
First and foremost, students need to stay home if they are unwell and get tested if they have have cold or flu symptoms. We have additional RAT tests available for any families that require them. If family members have Covid or if students are close contacts, students are encouraged to wear a face masks whilst attending school.
Parking
Unfortunately we are continuing to have ongoing issues with parents illegally parking at the end of the school day. It is frustrating that parents are parking on footpaths or double parking whilst waiting for their children. We understand that there is limited parking directly in front of the school, however this is not a reason to put students safety at risk. As you can see from the photo below (this was provided by a concerned parent), parking directly across a footpath is both illegal and extremely dangerous. I have requested parking officer from the City of Stirling to attend the school and have requested that they give infringement notices.
There is multiple options available to parents when parking is not available:
ample parking on Cobham Ave/Osborne Rd
using the Kiss and Ride Option in front of the Education Support Centre on Laythorne Street
delaying student pick up until 3.10/15 - there is always parking spots available at this time after the initial rush.
walking or riding to and from school is also highly beneficial for health, environmental and financial reasons.
All children deserve to be kept safe and I would hate to see an accident happen for the sake of a close parking place.
Kind Regards
Anthony Middleton
