BHCS NEWSLETTER

General Information (1 of 2) 

PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS IN CARPARK

A reminder to everyone to please cross at the designated pedestrian crossings. This is for the safety for all concerned.

PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS – SEMESTER 2

Information regarding Semester 2 Parent-Teacher Interviews has now been emailed home to all families, and sent out via Flexischools. 

 

All interviews will take place online, via Zoom, as follows:

KINDER INTERVIEWS

Wednesday, 17 August  from 3.50pm to 8.30pm

PREP TO YEAR 6 INTERVIEWS

Wednesday, 17 August from 3.50pm to 8.30pm

YEAR 7 TO YEAR 12 INTERVIEWS

Wednesday, 17 August from 3.50pm to 8.30pm

Tuesday, 23 August from 3.50pm to 8.30pm 

 

A limited number of appointments are still available should you wish to make an appointment. 

Please contact office@bhcs.vic.edu.au if you did not receive this information.

GAT 2022 - WEDNESDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 

The GAT is an external assessment set by VCAA as part of the VCE assessment processes. The GAT does not count directly towards a student’s VCE results, however, it is used to check that VCE external assessments and school-based assessments have been accurately and fairly assessed, as well as contributing towards determining the final score for a VCE external assessment if a student has a derived examination score approved for that assessment. The GAT also serves to measure student literacy and numeracy skills.

All students in Year 11 and 12 students undertaking a Unit 3/4 VCE subject, scored Unit 3/4 VET Subject, or Senior VCAL, are required to sit the GAT, both assessed and non-assessed. This will take place on Wednesday, 7 September.

Information regarding the GAT can be found in these links:

This year, the GAT is split into two separate sessions:

  • Section A – assessing Literacy and Numeracy
  • Section B – assessing Mathematics, Science, Technology, The Arts, and Humanities, as well as critical and creative thinking skills

Students' GAT slips (which were emailed to them) indicate which sessions they are required to attend.

The following details are of particular importance:

  • Section A runs from 9:30am – 11:45am and Section B runs from 1:15pm – 3:00pm.
  • Students MUST arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start time of each session, i.e. 9am and 12.45pm.
  • As students will be together for an extended amount of time, we are strongly advising ALL students (and supervisors) to wear masks while undertaking the GAT, for their own health and safety as they head into the upcoming exam period.
  • Students MUST NOT attend the GAT if they feel unwell, or are experiencing any COVID-like symptoms.
  • Students will need pens, pencils and an eraser to complete the GAT. They must use either a blue or black pen to complete the two writing tasks and a pencil for the multiple-choice answer page.

For Year 11 students who are not required to undertake the GAT, there will be no VCE classes on this day. There will also not be any Gravitate or VET Hospitality classes. Students not currently enrolled in a Unit 3/4 subject, or in Year 12 VCAL will not be required to attend school this day.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please do not hesitate to contact our VCE Coordinator, Mrs Farrand or VCAL & VET Coordinator, Mr Ware.

WE ARE HIRING 

A few opportunities to join our enthusiastic team here at BHCS have been placed on our website!  We're currently looking for:

  • Deputy Principal - 2023
  • Teaching Staff - 2023
  • Learning Assistant - Integration Aide 

If you, or someone you know, are interested in knowing more about these positions, read more by visiting https://www.bhcs.vic.edu.au/careers

All enquiries about these positions should be directed to applications@bhcs.vic.edu.au

ADVANCED WARNING OF SCHOOL TIMETABLE CHANGE FOR 2023

In 2023 we will be running a 6 x 50min period timetable.  This timetable will also include a 5 min change over between classes to allow students to move between classes.  The first bell will ring at 8.40am for a 8.45am start to Devotions. Lunch is brought forward to 1pm and the finish times remain the same, Primary will finish at 3.15pm with Middle and Senior School finishing at 3.30pm.

Kinder times will remain the same, 9am start and 3pm finish.

COVID-19 INFORMATION 

If your child tests positive:

  • Your child will need to remain home for 7 Days.
  • Notify the school of their child’s positive COVID test via covid@bhcs.vic.edu.au
  • Notify the Department of Health via https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/report 
  • Students/Parents are requested to email teachers if they are well enough to complete school work during isolation.
  • Remember to advise us if your child has any siblings.

If one or both parents test positive:

  • Your child becomes a household contact, please refer to the section below
  • You have an exemption to transport a household member to attend work, education or a health appointment, and/or to obtain essential food supplies. You must travel directly to and from the location, wear a face mask and not leave the vehicle unless you are required to take that person to the location, it is an emergency or it is required by law.

If your child is a household contact of a positive case you no longer need to isolate, however:

  • Parents/carers must notify the school that their child/ren are household contacts by emailing covid@bhcs.vic.edu.au
  • Students must take 5 x RATs over the 7 days of the household contacts isolation.
  • Students must wear a mask when indoors and on the bus (unless a valid exemption applies or your child is in Prep to Year 2).
  • Parents/carers should monitor for symptoms and keep their child home if unwell or has the slightest of symptoms.
  • Ensure the student commences isolation immediately if they test positive.
  • Students who are household contacts who present with symptoms while at school will be sent home.

You can collect a free pack of five rapid antigen tests at testing centres.

 

REVISED ADVICE FOR THE EXEMPTION PERIOD

In line with AHPPC advice, the period when someone is considered a recently confirmed case (and therefore exempt from testing and isolation/quarantine requirements) has been revised to 4 weeks (28 days from the end of their isolation date), down from 12 weeks. This reflects the emerging evidence that new variants of COVID-19 can evade prior immunity gained from infection.

Parents/carers visiting the school for meetings:

  • Parents, carers, and other adult visitors are no longer required to show evidence of a COVID-19 vaccination if visiting for meetings or attending school events.

FACE MASKS

Due to the large amount of absenteeism being caused by a variety of illnesses including COVID and the close confines of Middle School and the SLC, staff and students in these areas are required to wear masks while in these spaces. Emails have gone home to families regarding this. This advice will be reviewed at the end of August.

  • Students who are household contacts must wear masks at all times while indoors while they are attending school.
  • Students must continue wearing masks on all school buses, on public transport, and when on excursions, or in rideshare vehicles, as per government COVID requirements.
  • Staff and students who want to continue wearing face masks are able to do so, including those who are medically at risk.
  • If during this 4-week period symptoms do develop, your child should take a rapid antigen test and remain at home until symptoms resolve.

INCREASING ILLNESS

A reminder that besides COVID-19, Influenza and RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) are also doing the rounds. To minimise the impact on staff and students and for the health and wellbeing of all, we ask that you please keep your child home if they are unwell in any way.