Junior & Senior Campus

Middle Campus

Newsletter

1430 Heatherton Road, Dandenong 3175

19-21 Gloria Avenue, Dandenong North 3175

Phone: 9791 8900

Phone: 8762 6466

Email: emerson.sch@education.vic.gov.au

Website: www.emersonsc.vic.edu.au

Issue 30 – Friday 18th September 2020

DIARY DATES REMOTE LEARNING TERM 4 Monday 5.10.2020—Friday 9.10.2020 ON-SITE LEARNING RESUMES Monday 12.10.2020

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Value of the Fortnight

I would like to congratulate all students, parents, staff and families for your extraordinary work in Term 3. It has been exhausting, inspiring and fun all at the same time! Term 3 has been a long 10 weeks but the time has flown by. It is hard to believe that we have reached the end of term. Monday, 5th October, Term 4 will commence with REMOTE LEARNING for Week One (5th – 9th October) Monday, 12th October, our school will open for ON-SITE LEARNING across both campuses for all students. School buses will be running as of Monday, 12th October. I am concerned about physical distancing, hygiene and masks on the school buses. Some parents have already indicated that they

will be bringing their children to school by car until further notice. I understand and agree with this concern. I will keep everyone closely informed of developments and strategies during Week One of Term 4. It is wonderful how the COVID-19 numbers are getting smaller and smaller. Hopefully, by 5th October, we will be rewarded with very low infection numbers. Enjoy the two week Term Break. There will be no REMOTE LEARNING classes during the term break. Stay safe and vigilant in the days ahead. Together we will overcome the COVID-19 crisis. John Mooney Principal

Kindness Awards

This weeks kindness awards go to: Staff members who kindly volunteered to supervise the learning of Emerson students at school (Junior, Middle and Senior Schools). For providing academic and wellbeing support to our students learning from school. Your time supervising has been very much appreciated by us all. Thank you!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the parents, students and staff who emailed photos to me for the newsletter during remote learning. I received over 650 photos in a six week period, which is amazing. It took many hands for the newsletter to display what can be achieved when the school community works together, especially during these unique times. Well done to all the parents and staff who ensured a quality and varied education was delivered to our students. Julie Wayth Administration

We will be studying the value, Enthusiasm, when Term 4 commences. Enthusiastic people do things with zest and excitement. They really look forward to something. Enthusiasm is about having a positive attitude to everything we do. Lots of students are telling me that they are very enthusiastic about returning to school on the 12th October. Specialist School students are able to return to on-site learning because we have all worked so hard to get the numbers down! Let’s keep those numbers tumbling down so that our Premier can continue to ease the restrictions. Remember to continue wearing our masks, stay 1.5 metres apart and wash or sanitise our hands frequently.

Dianne Wright Principal—Middle School Campus

2

Page

Meet the staff of Emerson School

Mr Pasan (PJ) Rathnayaka — Middle School Classroom Aide I have been at Emerson School for two years. I like to spend most of my free time hiking, reading, watching sports and drawing. I enjoy working with our fantastic students where I get to teach, help, and have fun learning. The awesome people I work with make Emerson the best place to be!

1. What is your favourite thing about working at Emerson School? My favourite thing about working at Emerson School is all the awesome students and the teachers are fantastic too. 2. What is your favourite sporting team? My favourite sporting teams are the Bombers and Arsenal (English Premier League) 3. What is your favourite food? Lasagna is my favourite food. 4. Do you have a pet and if so, what animal and their name? I have a German Shepherd named Stella.

STUDENT’S BIRTHDAYS

12TH SEPTEMBER MIHI S (SSL) JOYCE S (MSJ ) MATTHEW C-P (MSC) 14TH SEPTEMBER KIYAN J (JSA) 15TH SEPTEMBER TORI Mc (MSK)

16TH SEPTEMBER GURNOOR K (JSI) JACKSON D (JSC) 17TH SEPTEMBER ANGELIA T (JSF) 20TH SEPTEMBER URIM M (JSE) BROOKE S (MSA)

21ST SEPTEMBER JACKSON N (JSE) NATHAN P (MSC) JORDI-ELLA G (MSE) 22ND SEPTEMBER ZACH R (SSI) 23RD SEPTEMBER HARRY T (SSD)

24TH SEPTEMBER JACOB M (SSB) 25TH SEPTEMBER LUKE D (MSC) CASSIE S (MSG) RUTH S (SSS)

Ruth S (SSS) Jacob M (SSB)

3

Page

REMOTE LEARNING

Sebastian H (JSJ) has been spending time during stage 4 restrictions completing his school work, creating his own garden and getting exercise by going on walks to feed the swans.

Jay D (JSA) has been extremely busy completing his class work and is very proud of the work he has done in remote learning. He is missing his friends and would like to say hello to them all.

Keenan W (JSD) has been keeping very busy and entertaining himself by making chocolate truffles with his church friends by joining an online cooking class; he made delicious pancakes and traditional Cantonese cuisine with his mum which are his favourites and he had

picnic with pizza and cakes in the garden. He has also keeping fit by playing hopscotch in the garden and riding his scooter on the footpath.

Thuan N (JSB) and his brother have been helping their mother make meat patties safely at home this week.

Preeshi B (JSA) was dancing with her dad on R U OK day safely at home. Dancing is a great way to relieve stress.

4

Page

REMOTE LEARNING Cont...

Azariaz H (JSE) has been having a wonderful week especially now playgrounds are open. He has been helping at home mowing the lawns wearing all the safety gear and looking after/loving his pets.

JUNIOR SCHOOL WEBEX DISCO

DANCE LIKE NO ONE

IS WATCHING

Karly P (JSA) has been completing experiments safely at home. She really enjoyed the colourful reaction caused by the reaction of vinegar and bicarbonate soda.

5

Page

REMOTE LEARNING— JUNIOR SCHOOL WEBEX DISCO cont...

Junior School ran their very first WebEx Disco last Tuesday. Students, their siblings and pets had a blast dancing around their homes. We now have some new dances: the cat preening and the lap dog. Thank you to our very own dancing star, Mrs Elizabeth Ralph, our very own song bird, Ms Margaret Orr and very own magical musician Mr Luke Bowen who organised this event. Also a big thank you to the staff who signed in and made sure everyone was doing the right thing whilst joining in on the fun. A parent told me she loved the 45 minutes of peace it gave her as her children were so enthralled in the disco. Well done to all who participated, it was a big success.

DANCE TO EXPRESS

NOT TO IMPRESS

6

Page

REMOTE LEARNING Cont...

Gabriel S (MSG) is enjoying catching up with all his classmates and teacher during his WebEx Meetings.

Jade B (JSB) has been enjoying listening to music when relaxing during stage 4 restrictions.

Nathan P (MSC) is enjoying the Spring sunshine and shooting hoops safely in his backyard. His favourite sport is Basketball.

Anthony P (MSH) has been working diligently to complete all his tasks.

Daniel C (MSH) has been concentrating to complete his class work and tending to the plants in his garden.

Sabia Q (MSK) is working very hard to complete all her class tasks safely at home.

Noah W (MSG) has been helping with the gardening around the house and enjoys keeping fit by weight training.

Bethania M (MSF) has loved the extra time she gets to spend with her little brother, Mikel.

Harley M (MSB) made mud cake in a mug after getting the recipe from Google Classroom and he has been practicing his drums.

Odou O (MSH) has been shooting goals in his down time.

Marc M (MSK) liked our new Dream Look-A-Like section in last week’s newsletter he wanted to show us his likeness to Tom Cruise. I think he resembles Val Kilmer more.

MSK’s students were sent home a rock, paint and cotton buds and asked to decorate the rock as a class art task.

7

Page

REMOTE LEARNING Cont...

Scarlett J (SSF) has been busy completing these beautiful, creative cards which was taught by Mrs Marlow and Ms Ward via WebEx classes.

Aullin T-D (SSH) has been getting a workout and has covered a practical aspect of his Horticulture class by cutting firewood with a chainsaw and axe.

We all need humour in our lives during these trying times. Lochie E (SSA) entertained his class by attending his WebEx class as a gorilla.

Joshua H (SSS) has built this awesome working replica of a garbage truck out of Lego. Constructions using Lego require students to utilise many skills including the ability to read, comprehend and follow instructions, fine motor skills, concentration and determination.

Many Emerson students have been continuing their one on one music lessons during stage 4 restrictions via WebEx classes. Here we see Peter S (SSL), who loves playing the piano, having a lesson with Ms Emily Chong, our newest music teacher.

8

Page

REMOTE LEARNING cont...

Aaron P (SSI) enjoys playing his the Crew 2 on his PS4 2 and constructing cities using Lego when he needs a break from completed his class tasks.

Isabelle R (SSE) has been busy completing her classes free choice practical task. Isabelle decided to make this beautiful cake. She is very proud of her achievement.

Luka D (SSS) has been working hard to complete his class work.

SSV have been continuing their education, learning and keeping in contact with their classmates via regular Webex meetings.

Thanu M (SSI) has been keeping fit excersing at home.

Jack D-C (SSB) has been helping around the house after completing all his school work and attending SBAT. He has been doing gardening, maintenance, cleaning and laundry.

Robbie C (SSB) has also been helping around the house doing dishes, tidying his room and taking the rubbish out once all his school work is complete.

9

Page

REMOTE LEARNING PUZZLE/ACTIVITY PAGES:

Answers to last weeks puzzles. SPRING

ARE YOU OKAY

Last week’s look-a-like: Mr Stokes

DO YOU KNOW YOUR DISNEY NOSES Draw a line from the Disney character’s name to the character’s matching nose.

Pinocchio

Sully

Remy

Maleficent

Beast

Hades

Ursula

Carl

Simba

Woody

Hurcules

Buzz

Moana

Elsa

Wreck-it-Ralph

Tiana

Jafar

Aladdin

Russell

Tarzan

Rapunzel

Merida

Pocahontas

Ariel

Mulan

10

Page

We understand it’s been a hard year for families. With the September school holidays coming up, this year’s Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival is here to give families some structured fun to keep everyone going with lots of interactive sessions every day. Please register for these free sessions, activities and competitions. Our live Zoom sessions will have professional facilitators doing lots of call-outs and be very interactive, keeping the kids engaged and making everything super fun. Our new Kids TV channel will be regularly launching new episodes with fun activities as well. We are inviting families to take part in two weeks of fun planned from 19 September to 4 October. All live sessions will include lots of interaction and shout outs for children at home. The sessions include dance classes, craft, wild life displays with exotic native animals, a Circus School and more. All activities are free but many do require bookings. The highlight of the Festival is the Big Day In, a massive pyjama disco party on September 27 featuring: MC The Great Gizmo, Mexican Music Man’s Sing Along, Guru Dudu’s All Ages Pyjama Disco Party, The Dreaming Space’s “Funky Monkey Family Show”, Dr Hubble’s Online Bubble Show and The Kazoos “Bed-Time Stories” Show. Running from 11am to 2pm. Whether families are still in their PJs or not they can have lots of fun dancing and engaging with the presenters.

We are also running some very exciting competitions for the first time including:

A New Story Writing Competition. Open to primary school students living or studying in Greater Dandenong to send in an original short story they have written. It can be funny or serious, fantasy or based on real life. One amazing tale will be chosen for its originality, style and storyline. The winning story will be announced during Children’s Week (24 October – 1 November). and be brought to life by the magic of animation in time for next year’s Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.

Storytime Quest Competition. Have your children ever watched a storyteller on TV or at one of our Storytime sessions and thought “I can do that!” Encourage your children to record their own story time session, share it with us and we will share the best entries with the world. Storytime Quest is open to primary school students living or studying in Greater Dandenong. We will share the best entries during Children’s Week.

For all details of the events and to book please go to: www.greaterdandenong.com/childrensfestival. Be part of a New Story with us. We look forward to seeing you all there! For any enquiries please email: events@cgd.vic.gov.au or call 03 8571 5090