Happy New Year and welcome to Richmond for 2020. I hope you have had a safe and happy break.
We begin the year with 420 students, around 600 parents and 43 staff – that’s somewhere in the vicinity of 1000 people in our Richmond community.
I’d like to welcome our 60 new kindergarten students, who have a wonderful year ahead in our early childhood centre. To the 23 new students joining our P-6 classes, a warm welcome and I hope that you really enjoy being at Richmond. And of course welcome to all the new families who have joined us. Hopefully you have found all the information you need on this website. If not, please do get in touch.
At the end of last year, all students were advised of their 2020 classroom and teacher and had the opportunity to visit their new room and spend some time with their new teacher and classmates. On Monday they will be able to go straight to their new class. New students please come to the office. It is an exciting time to make new friends and try new things. Thanks to everyone for reassuring children that small feelings of anxiety are normal and that everything will be ok. They may be in a new class with new friends, but it’s still Richmond and, hopefully, comfortingly familiar.
If you are keen to get more involved this year, perhaps consider nominating for the Richmond P&C or School Board for 2020. There are online nomination forms for both on our website. The closing date for all nominations is 18 February, 2020 at 3pm. The P&C operates the school canteen and is in the final stages of employing a 2020 manager. The canteen will be closed on Wednesday for stock management but will reopen on Friday next week. Here is the online ordering link: canteen orders
The Student Mobile Phones in Public Schools policy takes effect from Monday. This means our students cannot have a mobile phone in their possession at school (including in their bag). This extends to the use of smart watches which need to be on aeroplane mode. All communication between parents and students during school hours should occur via the school office.
Mobile phones have never been an issue for us at Richmond, but please could I ask that students abide by this ban. Should there be a pressing need for your child to have a mobile phone with them (such as to monitor a health condition), please could you email me with the details.
You would have seen in the media a continuing concern regarding the Novel Coronavirus. The Department of Health advises that if a student has been in contact with someone who has contracted the virus, they should seek medical advice and stay away from school until they are clear of symptoms for 14 days. Additionally, if a student has travelled to or through China or Hong Kong in the past two weeks, parents are asked to keep them away from school for a period of 14 days from the date they returned to Perth. This is a precaution, as the incubation period for this virus can be up to 14 days. After that time, and with no symptoms, the student may attend school.
For more information, please visit the Department of Health website where there is a factsheet for parents and access to a helpline 1800 300 243.
Finally, the tragedy of the Australian bushfires has been so sad for all of us no matter what state we live in. It is difficult to comprehend the devastation. Many families may have felt the effect of the bushfires personally and we extend our condolences and support. If you feel your child/ren would like to speak to someone at school, please let us know.
I look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday, refreshed and energized for a positive and happy year at Richmond.
Lisa Dentith