General Information (2 of 2)

COVID-19 INFORMATION 

If your child tests positive:

• NO SYMPTOMS: Your child will need to remain at home for 5 days.
• WITH SYMPTOMS: 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

If your child is leaving isolation after five days, it is recommended they undertake rapid antigen testing in the days following their isolation, to test negative before attending school, and to wear a mask in indoor settings outside the home – in line with existing recommendations.

If one or both parents test positive:

• Your child becomes a household contact and will need to wear a mask.
• 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 becomes household contact they no longer need to isolate, however:

• Parents/carers must notify the school that their children are household contacts by emailing covid@bhcs.vic.edu.au

• Household contacts are required to wear masks while indoors and must undertake 5 rapid antigen tests over a 7 days period, spaced at least 24 hours apart. Tests must be negative in order to attend school.

FACE MASKS

• 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 rideshares.

CYBERSAFETY

Catfishing

Catfishing is when someone pretends to be someone they’re not by using social media to create a false identity, usually to defraud or scam someone else.

In short:

• Catfishing is when someone creates a false identity to trick another person. This could be for various reasons including financial gain, to compromise a person in some way or intentionally upset a person.
• Look out for suspicious behaviour, like a low friend count on their social media, or no photos that clearly identify their identity.

To read more about catfishing, please go the eSafety Commissioner's website by clicking here.

CHILD SAFETY 

PROTECTING OUR KIDS: TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT PERSONAL SAFETY

One of the most important things we can do as parents and caregivers is protect our children by educating them about personal safety. Teaching children simple strategies about keeping safe can help them build confidence, resilience and empower them to be safe in a variety of situations.

It’s not difficult to educate children about personal safety. All it takes is the willingness to start, some help with content, and time.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL SAFETY

Research shows that teaching children about personal safety:

• Reduces the likelihood of a child entering into an unsafe situation.
• Clearly demonstrates how to respond to an unsafe situation.
• Increases a child’s sense of confidence and in doing so increases their resiliency.
• Increases a child’s knowledge of their personal rights i.e. “I have the right to feel safe with people”.
• Increases the likelihood that the child will speak out if they feel unsafe and tell someone they trust.
• Can interrupt or prevent grooming.

To read more about teaching children about personal safety, please go to the Bravehearts website by clicking here

ISV - THE PARENTS WEBSITE

Belgrave Heights Christian School is part of the Independent Schools Victoria network of schools. Independent Schools Victoria offers an initiative called The Parents Website.  Here you will find a range of articles and newsletters.  To learn more, please click here.

WELLBEING RESOURCES

We know that it can sometimes be hard to find the necessary resources in relation to mental health, bullying and family violence, especially when things are tough. For this reason, the School has a small webpage with links related to health and wellbeing resources. This can be found on the School's website under Other Resources or can be found here.

TREETOPS CAFE 

The cafe will be running every day except Wednesday for Senior School students.  At this point in time, use of the restaurant seating will only be available to staff and Year 11 & 12 students. Year 7 - 12 Students are permitted to purchase takeaway food from the cafe.

BHCS CANTEEN

JUNIOR SCHOOL : The canteen is available for lunch orders on Wednesday & Fridays.  Junior students (Prep - Year 4) can pre-order lunch orders via the Flexischools app. 

MIDDLE & SENIOR SCHOOL: Year 5-12s are welcome to order at the canteen window during recess and lunch breaks from Tuesday – Friday. 

The canteen is closed on Mondays.