From the Principal's Desk

COVID-19 (coronavirus) Update No.4

The rapid evolution of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak continues to be a challenge for everyone in education. 

No doubt you all would have read my previous communication issued to families via email on Tuesday evening regarding how we as a school are responding to this unprecedented event and

I am aware that it is causing much concern for parents, staff and students.

Because the health and safety of our school community is our highest priority, the school’s decision to stay open is based on advice from the Australian and Victorian Chief Medical Officers.

Currently (as at the time of writing this newsletter) the advice of Dr Brett Sutton, Victorian Chief Health Officer, is that ‘pre-emptive school closures are not likely to be proportionate or effective as a public health intervention to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 at this time’.

If and when the advice from the Chief Medical Officers changes, we will communicate those changes to you.

We continue to actively monitor developments and are working closely with the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd (CECV).

The CECV is partnering with the Victorian Department of Education and Training, and Victorian Department of Health and Human Services to ensure our practices reflect current advice and support the needs of our school community.

I am receiving regular updates from the CECV, in regards to reporting and management practices, and we are well-placed to respond as circumstances change.

As a teaching staff, we are committed to ensuring that learning remains available to students as part of all students’ entitlement to access the Victorian curriculum.

As you are aware, we have plans in place to support students to learn from home but, while we remain open, the emphasis will be on the learning and teaching currently in place in the classroom.

Having said that, parents are welcome to contact me directly to discuss educational continuity options.

For families who may be looking for some sort of guidance and support as to how to address the heightened levels of concern and anxiety within the community regarding the many impacts of the coronavirus pandemic to your children, you may wish to explore some of the resources below.

I found this first video by  Dr Michael Carr-Gregg  courtesy of SchoolTV particularly useful.

Other resources include:

• How to talk to your children about coronavirus – ABC News article
• Worried about your child getting coronavirus? Here’s what you need to know – The Conversation article
• Talking to children about natural disasters, traumatic events, or worries about the future – This Emerging Minds video introduces ways for parents and carers to manage media coverage of traumatic events, and talk to their children about their worries and fears
• Traumatic events, the media and your child – This Emerging Minds fact sheet provides guidance on how to support and reassure children during ongoing media coverage of COVID-19.

Can I take a moment to thank families for their support, understanding and patience as we continue to adapt to the situation and I  hope the information we are continually providing assists understanding and provides some sort of comfort to families during this time.

Should you have any concerns relating to school operations, or the health and safety of students, please also do not hesitate to contact me.

School Banking

We have been informed by Bendigo Bank Seddon Community Bank that school banking has been put on hold until further notice.

Big Day Out

Our Big Day Out  (Catholic Education Week Celebration) was a huge success  last week and proved a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate our Catholic Identity, especially considering the events of late. 

School Photos Rescheduled

Due to the current situation and the fact that only 13 families have placed an order, our school photo day will be  rescheduled to a later date to be confirmed.

Please hold onto your order forms, for the time being,  which contain your personal log on codes.

Holy Week Celebration and Easter Raffle

On Friday 27th March our Year 5/6 students will lead us in our Holy Week celebration commencing at 11:30am.

Our Year 5/6 students will act out the significant events of Holy Week and each class will visit the scenes. Unfortunately, this experience will only be available to students. 

Casual Clothes Day/Easter Raffle

On Wednesday 25th March, children are invited to wear casual clothes to school in return for an Easter egg donation on the day. These Easter egg donations will then be packaged as prizes for our annual Easter Raffle which is drawn after our Holy Week celebrations on the last day of Term 1. Please drop the Easter Eggs into the hall on your way into school.

 Tickets are $1.00 each. Please return raffle money to the office by Wednesday 25th  March. We are also looking for donations of cane baskets (or the like) to package our Easter egg prizes. These can be donated at any time and handed in at the school office.

Easter Egg Wrapping Morning

We will still be holding an Easter Egg wrapping session(to wrap all our raffle prizes) on Thursday 26th March in the hall from 1:30pm. If you are able to help, please meet in the hall on the day. 

Years 1-6 Learning Conferences

Learning Conferences for Year 1 to 6  students will still be offered on Wednesday 25th March, 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm for those families who wish to book an appointment.

If you have already made an appointment and don't intend to come please be courteous and cancel your appointment  so that teachers can make the best use of their time.

Please note that all children in Prep to Year 6 will be dismissed at 1:00 pm that day.

Families are to use School Interviews Online to manage bookings. Please go to www.schoolinterviews.com.au and enter the event code of:   h62xd to book interviews for the times that suit your family.

NOTE: The booking portal will close at 3:15pm the day prior to the interviews

Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF)

A reminder that families who hold a valid Health Care Card for the 2020 year are able to receive a government rebate through the Camp, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF) which is currently set at $125 per primary aged child. 

Applications for the CSEF can be collected from the school office. We encourage families to submit these to the school office by the end of March.