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Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to Term 4! It’s been lovely seeing students gradually come back onsite as the stagged return of year levels occurs. By Monday, 25th October we will have all our students back onsite which will be amazing. It’s been such a challenging time for everyone this year, and our students continue to display the true meaning of resilience and strength.

Earlier in the week families would have received information about student mask wearing requirements. For those that have not yet read the information we have included an excerpt below.

As students return to onsite learning, BSS will implement key measures to maintain the health and wellbeing of students and staff. The new guidance around masks states:
  • Secondary students (aged 12 and above) must wear a mask at all times both indoors and outdoors at school, unless a lawful exception applies. Students can remove masks when eating, drinking, or exercising. 
  • Face masks are required for students in Year 3 to Year 6, only when indoors on school premises, unless an exception applies.  
  • Face masks are highly recommended for students in Prep to Year 2. 
Exceptions for all year levels include: 
  • Students with a physical or intellectual disability are not required to wear a face mask where their disability means it would not be suitable (for instance, due to medical, physical, communication or other individual risk factors).
We have had a very busy start to Term 4 when it comes to staffing for 2022. We have just finished the process of recruiting a leading teacher along with numerous teaching positions. We have recently advertised for several ES classroom assistants, 3 ES Mini school role positions, an Integrated Services Team leader, a Physiotherapist and an Occupational Therapist. We will also be advertising for a Learning Specialist (LS) focusing on the A to C curriculum, and another LS in the Inclusive Outreach position. So, as you can see there is a lot going on with recruitment as we get ready for the 2022 school year. At this stage we project student enrolments of 430 to begin 2022.

In some celebration news, despite it being a roller-coaster year with COVID, we would like to share with you the great success and achievements of our Senior School students that have obtained School Based Apprenticeships. This year we have had the assistance of HeadStart, that work with the Department of Education in helping teenagers gain employment through School Based Apprenticeship Training (SBAT). These students attend school studying VCAL, and also complete a Vocational Education Training (VET) certificate as part of their SBAT. The VET certificate coincides with their field of employment, and students generally work 1 day per week.

Congratulations to the following students that have obtained SBAT’s this year, the senior school and extended school community are very proud of you all:

Nathan Forssman- Midlands Golf Club (Cert 3 in Horticulture)
Simone Austin- The Forge (Cert 2 in Kitchen Operations)
Braiyden Oakley- 1816 Bakery (Cert 2 in Kitchen Operations)
Eloise Buck- The Lake View (Cert 2 in Kitchen Operations)
Jack Innella- Beare Landscaping (Cert 3 in Landscaping)
Alex Habicht- BK joinery (Cert 3 in Cabinet Making)
Shakira Heath has an SBAT trial at Aunty Jack’s (Cert 2 in Kitchen Operations) 
Abbey Sturdy has an SBAT trial at Green Leaves Childcare- (Cert 3 in Early Childhood Education & Care)

Our Cert 2 in Horticulture SBAT Students have been completing their certificate onsite at the FARM with South West Tafe, and doing work placements one day a week:

Brodie Coon- Mt Pleasant P.S                                 
Jesse Bickerton-BRI                                                        
Nigella Williams- McCallum Industries                      
Connor Jones- Magpie P.S                                          
Bella-Rose Blake- BSS with James Selkirk                  
Toby McPhan-Burton- Ballarat Lawn Services                  
Jasmine Warke-Taylor- Ballarat Cemetery  

 
We look forward to seeing all our students back onsite in a few weeks, and as always, if you have any questions or require assistance with anything, please don’t hesitate to contact the school. 

It is noted in the dates below but please remember that there will be no school on the 2nd November due to the Melbourne Cup holiday.
 
Kind regards,
The Principal Class Team

Photos below are of SPLT2 students modelling mask wearing, and some of the students doing Cert 2 in Horticulture.
Term Dates 2021

Term 1 Students commence 28th January to 1st April
Term 2 19th April to 25th June
Term 3 12th July to 17th September
Term 4 4th October to 17th December
Other Important Dates
Melbourne Cup Holiday- Tuesday, 2nd November
End of school year Years 11 & 12 – Friday 26th November
 
Term 4 Curriculum Day (Pupil free) – Friday 3rd December
End of school year Prep – Yr 10 – Thursday 16th December
Early Years News

Welcome back to the start of Term 4. We are so excited to be back with all of our familiar friends and teachers and hope that we can continue back to a normal school term.

The past 2 weeks have been a great opportunity to engage in some much needed structured play, to interact with peers and prepare for a busy term ahead. This term, we are continuing our disrupted theme of animals from last term and rounding the year out with a whole lot of Christmas themed activities and experiences.

Fingers crossed there is an ease of COVID restrictions soon and we are able to go on our Prep and Grade 1 excursion as pre planned. Everyone is incredibly excited and hope that these can take place. If not, we will organise an alternative activity to celebrate a year of hard work.
Just a reminder that Term 4 is a Sun Smart term at BSS, where sun hats are required during all outside play times. Unfortunately the weather hasn’t warmed up as quickly as we had hoped so please continue to bring your child’s coats on days that we know are going to be a bit colder and wet.

We look forward to some amazing things to come for Term 4 and can’t wait to celebrate an incredible but crazy year 2021 has been. Below you can see Anika, Deakin, Lien and Chervik engaging in some activities and play.

The Early Years Team.
Primary School News

JPLT1 News

Welcome back to Term 4. We hope everyone enjoyed their holiday break and stayed safe.

It has been lovely to see our students returning to school with big smiles and happiness, as they see their teachers and friends after a big break from school.
 
Grade 6 students have been focussing on persuasion, students have been trying to persuade their peers to have the same opinion. Room 1 students have been embracing this lovely weather by completing some outdoor learning and a picnic lunch. Room 2 students enjoyed some cooking last week, baking scones and making chocolate mousse that was shared with students in our PLC.

We looking forward to having all students back onsite within the coming weeks.

 

JPLT2 News

Welcome to the start of term four and what an exciting term we have ahead. We are so incredibly excited to see all students back onsite whether it be full time or part time and we thank families for their flexibility during this busy year. The past two weeks students have begun learning about direction, maps and special places in our Geography lessons. We have seen some excellent school maps crafted by the students which are pictured below. In Numeracy, students have begun learning about division, through the use of sharing and the learning about the terms ‘equal’ and ‘fair’.
JPLT3 News

Term 4 means our classes get to be sun smart when having ‘Fun in the Sun’. With a large parachute sheet students had fun learning the art of co-operation. There were many giggles and shouts of delight when standing, sitting or moving within the colourful sheet.

Within our classrooms, we have participated in a number of hands-on activities whilst listening to stories of ‘Pig the Pug’ and ‘Piranhas don't eat Bananas’. Our classroom walls are proudly covered with our art work.

 
Middle School News

Welcome back to Term 4.

It has been fantastic to see so many students returning to onsite learning. In our High Support & FLO group we have almost every student in attendance. We are still connecting with those not attending onsite the full week and ensuring everyone has a connection to their friends and teachers.
 
In the YAC, our year 7s and 8s are almost all back and our 9s are returning a couple of days a week. It's great to see the Year 9 students return as they help set the example, but also because in just a few weeks they will be preparing to say goodbye to middle school as they as they start their transition to Seniors at the FARM Campus.
 
Our Year 9 VET Retail students have been able to get back together, and are happy to be recommencing more of their learning with Tara.

Our instrumental music lessons have restarted with Lauren and we are looking forward to a dance group starting this term.

Swimming in the hydro pool here at school has commenced and next week we will welcome back our Specialists.
 
Our staff group met with Kate and our CAFS Specialist Disability Practitioner this week. A reminder to families that if you require assistance please make contact with this great service. More information can be obtained in today's newsletter, your SeeSaw messages, or just ring the school. We have a practitioner here every Wednesday so you can have a chat about your students’ needs and get help with NDIS or other supports you may not even know you can access.
 
There will be a number of changes this term as we get ready for 2022. We are still hopeful of getting some end of year excursions organised. We will hopefully know more soon including what the Year 9 graduation may look like.
 
Regards
Ginelle and the Middle School Team
Senior School News

Welcome back to Term 4. It is great to have everyone back learning on-site on Thursdays and Fridays. Year 10s will continue to learn remotely on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday next week, and on October 25th we will welcome back all our students onsite and remote learning will conclude.

When we are back learning face-to-face it is important that we continue to follow the guidelines that the Department of Education have in place for schools. Minimising risk and providing a safe learning and working environment is our priority. Staff are required to wear masks and students are strongly encouraged to where appropriate. We are modifying learning as it is strongly encouraged to be outdoors as much as possible.

Students who are participating in the 2021 BSS Deb Ball have received a note outlining the modifications that have been made in order to facilitate the event in the safest possible way. Thank you to the students and families who have returned the forms indicating whether or not they will continue to participate in it. If you are yet to return it, please take the time over the weekend to read the information carefully and respond. If you have any questions please contact either Mat Gannon or Tegan Winzar.

VCAL based projects will continue for one more week before teachers commence the process of collating results. Following on from VCAL projects, classes will continue with the VCAL model however move to working on projects as a PLT.
As we approach the end of the year many of our students are organising post-school options. One option for males is Project Growth. Project Growth is a program for young males with a disability which is dedicated to enriching the lives of their participants, with the aim of connecting like-minded people to a socially inclusive space promoting opportunities for engagement. On November 1st at 2pm there will be Zoom session for interested Year 12 male students, their families and carers. Please see the attached flyer below for further information, and if you have any questions please contact Mat Gannon.

Many students are commencing the process to organise programs for 2022. If you have any questions, or need assistance please get in contact with Loretta Robinson, our work experience and careers co-ordinator, who is more than happy to help. Loretta can discuss post-school options for our Year 12 students, as well as VET courses for our Year 10 and 11 students.
A big CONGRATULATIONS to Gail Sanders who has recently been recognised for 40 years with the Department of Education. This is an amazing achievement by Gail who commenced teaching in 1980. Well done, Gail!

All the staff from the Senior School
 
Photo 1: Bailey preparing a presentation for Work Related Skills.
Photo 2: Sean outside discussing the pros and cons to playing basketball.
Photo 3: Alex as part of Ally’s class, making the most of the sunshine to participate in a speaking and listening activity.
Photo 4: Gail who has recently been recognised for her forty years of service.
Project Growth information

Nathan Forssman

In 2019, Nathan started his journey with WestVic Staffing Solutions, in partnership with BSS and South west TAFE to undertake a school based traineeship in Cert II in Horticulture.
Nathan proved his commitment and ability in this field with his passion for Turf management. Nathan is now completing Cert III in Horticulture and has obtained an Apprenticeship with Midlands Golf Club.
As a result of Nathan’s hard work, positive approach, and desire to continue learning, he has been nominated for
 
‘Apprentice Disability Achievement Award’  Student of the year for showing outstanding performance and attitude.
 
Everyone at the Senior School is super proud of Nathan’s achievements and his outstanding work ethic. Congratulations Nathan for this amazing nomination.
Application form
https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/ballarat-VIC-3350/ballarat-community-health-care-2021-workplace-flu-clinic/doctors

This link above is now live for the headspace Ballarat Youth COVID 19 Vax Clinic.
The headspace Ballarat Vaccination Clinic will run for three weeks from Friday the 1st of October for the first dose and Friday 21st October for three weeks for the second dose. The clinic is only available for young people aged between 16-25. All appointments will be taken through the HotDoc platform.  Phone enquiries about the clinic should be directed to 5338 0595.

Please book clients in to the first hour if they need extra support. These appointments have been deliberately designated for young people who may have challenges with mental health, health anxiety, requiring support to access the community or other reasons as established by their support team. The amount of appointments has been kept low to allow parents/carers or support people to attend with the young person.

A range of distraction activities will be running throughout the clinics, and roving Mental Health Youth Workers will provide support as required for young people.
 
Thanks
Rhiannon Speechley 
Mental Health Practitioner
Ballarat Specialist School acknowledges the Wadawurrung people as the traditional custodians of these lands on which we come to learn. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Copyright © 2021 Ballarat Specialist School. All rights reserved.

Gillies Street Campus address:
25 Gillies Street North, Lake Gardens VIC 3355

FARM Senior Campus address:
800 Norman Street, Invermay Park VIC 3350

Phone: 53341302
Email: ballarat.ss@education.vic.gov.au
Web: www.ballaratss.vic.edu.au






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Ballarat Specialist School · 800 Norman St · INVERMAY PARK, VIC 3350 · Australia