Epping Secondary College Newsletter

Principal's Report

We are so happy to have our students back at school, and cannot wait to welcome everyone back on Monday 1st November.

 

Well done and thank you to our entire community for the way you have managed this challenging time. As a school community, we have appreciated the responsiveness of students, parents and staff when we have had recent positive cases of COVID and the manner in which parents and families have supported us through this process.  On each occasion our COVID Response Team at the school level have contacted all Primary Close Contacts with advice about isolation, testing and returning to school.  Our school has been cleaned thoroughly on each occasion and as such we have been able to quickly get our students back onsite.

 

The prompt action of our school community ensured that our VCE Unit 3/4 students had the opportunity to sit their first exams onsite yesterday, and I know our students and staff are very grateful for this opportunity, given the situation.  As our VCE students continue to head through their exam period, we wish them every success and our teachers are here to support our students every step of the way.

 

World Teachers Day

Australia will celebrate and thank the teaching profession on World Teachers’ Day - Friday 29 October. 

 

Teachers and education support staff (with support from parents and carers) have ensured education continues across the country this year, despite major challenges. It’s reinforced the significant role teachers and education support staff play in the lives of students, their families and communities.

 

On Friday 29th October, say a big thank you to teachers and education support staff and celebrate the bright future of working in education. Post a photo in your sunglasses on social media, either on your own or with family or friends. Use these tags on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn: #thankteachers #brightfuture @aitsl 

 

School Activities and XUNO

With the easing of restrictions across the State we will recommence a range of activities, consistent with community settings and school vaccination requirements. This means that from Monday 1 November we will be able to recommence:

  • planning graduations and other assemblies consistent with community density limits
  • travel across Victoria for camps and excursions
  • interschool activities such as sport and debating
  • delivering the full range of curriculum programs, including music and performing arts
  • conduct transition programs for Grade 6 students transitioning to Year 7 in 2022 (further details will be provided directly to Year 6 families soon)

 

With this increase in school activities I need to encourage all parents to ensure that your contact details are up to date in XUNO.  This ensures that all relevant communications will get to you quickly to enable informed consent for activities and a greater awareness of what is happening around our school.

 

COVID Safe

As our students and staff return to school we will continue to adopt a range of practices that support our school community to remain COVID safe.  We ask for the support of all school community members in adopting these practices that include:

  • Mandatory mask wearing for all students, staff and others onsite.  From Monday 1st November students must carry a mask with them at all times and are required to wear their face mask whilst indoors at all times.  When outdoors, students can remove their masks if they are able to physically distance from others.
  • Utilising hand hygiene stations in all rooms on entry.
  • Keeping windows and doors open in classrooms and office spaces.  Students and staff who feel the cold are encouraged to wear/bring extra layers on cooler days.
  • Conducting classes outside if suitable.
  • Encouraging and supporting physical distancing both in the classroom and in the school yard.

With the high rates of transmission of COVID within our local area we are also:

  • Requesting students and staff to stay at home if unwell
  • Requesting students and staff to notify us if they test positive to COVID, are at a Tier 1 or Tier 2 exposure site and asked to isolate or quarantine, are a close contact and asked to isolate, or are unwell and getting tested.  Please ensure you notify us of your results and when clearances have been given for you to return to school/work.
  • We encourage all community members not to hesitate in seeking a COVID test if they have any concerns or mild symptoms.  For more information please visit: Where to get tested for COVID-19 | Coronavirus Victoria

Thank you for your ongoing support of our school, students and staff and the ongoing efforts you are all taking to keep our school community safe and healthy.

 

Stay safe, stay healthy and we look forward to welcoming our students back onsite on Monday 1st November.

 

Brad Moyle

Principal