Newsletter 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Administration Office and Sick Bay

In line with advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer and the Department of Education, Surf Coast Secondary College has implemented strategies to support physical distancing and good hygiene practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

If your child is unwell - they must stay home.

If your child becomes unwell at school - they are to advise their teacher and they will be asked to go to the sick bay to be assessed by one of our First Aid members. Their parent/guardian or emergency contact will be notified to collect their child/ren in a timely manner.

 

In addition to the above measures, there are only two reasons for parents/carers to enter the Administration Office:

  • If you have a prearranged appointment organised with a staff member.
  • If you are collecting an unwell child.

We ask you phone or email the Administration Office in regards to:

  • Signing in or out your child/ren.
  • Dropping off or picking up items (please note: any items to be dropped off to students are to be placed on the table in the vestibule, we ask you phone reception on 5261 6633 to advise).

If you have any questions in regards to the above information, please contact our Administration Team.

2020 Exams

VCAA has released some details regarding exam dates for this year. The GAT (General Achievement Test) which is completed by all students enrolled in a Unit 3/4 subject, including second-year VET students, will be held on Wednesday 9th September. The written exam period this year will begin on Monday 9th November and will conclude on Wednesday 2nd December. This means that Year 12 students will receive their results and ATARs this year, in line with other states.

 

We will not be conducting Year 10 or 11 mid-year exams this year. With extensions to the conclusion of Units 1 and 3, content will still be taught right up until the end of this term, and this, coupled with the challenges of remote learning, mean that we have determined that it would not be in the students’ best interest to complete mid-year exams this year.  Teachers will be working closely with students to ensure that the required content for Unit 1 is completed, and supporting Year 10 students to transition back to school and consolidate the work they’ve completed during remote learning. We do still intend to complete end-of-year exams this year.

School Bus Travel - Remainder of Term 2

School services returned on Tuesday 26th May, except for Iona College bus services which will resume today (Tuesday 9th June). In most cases, year levels will return on a phased basis with all students back by Tuesday 9th June.

 

The bus providers have been working as an industry with the Government on a return to increased passenger loading, particularly mindful of ensuring student and driver safety.

The Victorian Government has exempt public transport from the broader community social distancing guidelines as it is simply not practical to comply in all situations. Buses will run to a normal timetable and additional services are not able to be added.

The following summarises the bus provider’s approach which is based on guidance from Vic. Dept of Health, and Safe Work Australia. During COVID-19 the practices of:

  • Daily Depot cleaning
  • Daily sanitising and disinfecting of high touch surfaces (handrails, seating areas, MYKI machine, driver area, and other hard surfaces)
  • No cash handling
  • Drivers are not to report to work if they are ill
  • Separation of driver and passengers by keeping the front row of seats empty
  • Drivers being supplied with hand sanitiser
  • Drivers following good cough, sneeze, and hand sanitation practices
  • Social distancing by all staff in depots.

In addition, the following applies to students travelling on board school buses:

  • Students are responsible for maintaining a social distance of 1.5m where possible on board and at stops. Drivers are not required to police social distancing
  • Students should carry their own supply of hand sanitiser and follow good cough, sneeze, and hand sanitation practices
  • Students are not to board the bus if they are ill
  • Drivers are not to refuse travel for COVID-19 related issues but can report issues to the Region Bus Coordinator
  • Food is not to be consumed on the bus
  • Drivers and students are encouraged to download the Government’s COVID Safe App
  • We will work closely with authorities if a student or driver tests positive for COVID-19, who will guide our cleaning, testing and isolation response.

For any further information you might require regarding COVID-19 guidelines please visit the links below.

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/Pages/coronavirus-advice-schools.aspx

https://mcharrys.com.au/school-bus-travel-term-2-2020/

Wishing you a safe return to school

Regards,

Shelley-Ann Grant

Geelong Regional School Bus Coordinator