REBUILDING relationships with families and the community after the disruptions forced by COVID-19 are a focus for Kerang Primary School.
Principal Brenton Taylor said new wellbeing and inclusion officer, Tegan Cooke, was providing extra support for the school’s intervention and wellbeing programs which aimed to bridge the gap between school and home.
“After 2 1/2 years of not being allowed in the place, we’re trying to re-engage with families and keep communication going,” he said.
“Some are reluctant or wary of coming in still. They’re not used to school after two years of staying home. This year we’ve also had issues with the seven-day COVID-19 isolations and families and close contacts isolating, and people getting sick.”
Mrs Cooke has been following up with affected families to see how they’re going and make sure they had the support they needed to get the kids back to school.
Mr Taylor said most students were performing well academically.
“They’re thriving,” he said.
“It’s just bringing about more community engagement and bringing parents back in, and parents and teachers working together with students to help their learning.
“There’s been that distance between school and home because of isolations and lock downs.
“We’re trying to bring people back in and make it more of a community feel again so it’s a whole family approach. It takes a village to raise a child and we haven’t had that because everyone’s been isolated with remote learning.”
Mr Taylor said students also were enjoying the new play area that was built as part of the recent modernisation project.
Officially opened in July, it has play equipment, seating, balance beams, a stage for performing arts, a sand pit and an upgraded running track around the sports oval.
And after new equipment was approved at Monday night’s school council meeting, a series of fitness stations will be installed around the running track.
Mr Taylor said enrolments were continuing to increase, which demonstrated “the confidence people have in our school”.
Come and Try and parent information sessions are held throughout the year, and school tours led by Grade 6 students can be arranged by contacting the school on 5450 3181.
