Principal's News

Dear Parents and Carers,

        I trust all of our Dads were spoiled on Sunday. A very big thank you to Erica Gleeson and her team of parents who organised and conducted our Father’s Day Stall last week. It is always greatly anticipated by the children and appreciated by our Dad’s I’m sure.

I enjoyed my grandson’s first birthday party on Saturday which drew my own Dad and my sisters to Colac for the weekend, so Dad was with me for Father’s Day this year. I must say he wasn’t all that impressed with our weather though!

It made for a lovely family weekend, I hope it was for you too.

HEALTH ALERT Unfortunately Whooping Cough (Petusiss) continues to rumble around in our community. We had a new case reported from our Grade 1LC classroom yesterday. 

What is Pertussis (whooping cough)?

Whooping cough affects people of all ages. It can be especially serious for babies under six months of age who have not had the chance to have three doses of the whooping cough vaccine. Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection and is spread by coughing and sneezing. People living in the same household as someone with whooping cough are especially at risk.

Whooping cough usually begins like a cold and then the characteristic cough develops, with bouts of uncontrollable coughing followed by vomiting, choking or taking a big gasping breath which causes a "whooping" sound. The illness can last for many weeks. People with pertussis are considered infectious from the start of symptoms until 21 days after the onset of cough or until they have completed 5 days of a course of antibiotic treatment.

Vaccination reduces the risk of infection and severe disease. Immunity decreases over time so it is important to be up to date with vaccines. Children and adolescents are vaccinated against whooping cough as part of the Australian Immunisation Program. Pregnant women should receive a whooping cough vaccine during each pregnancy. Adults can receive the whooping cough vaccine every 10 years.

WHOOPING COUGH IS A NOTIFIABLE ILLNESS

The following information has come directly from the Health Department

to prevent further spread of pertussis (whooping cough) to other people, the Barwon South West Public Health Unit (BSWPHU) advises that you please:

• Exclude children and staff with pertussis from school whilst infectious
• Exclude children aged less than seven years who are not fully vaccinated AND were in the same room with a child diagnosed with whooping cough (referred to as “contacts”)
• Children with pertussis must not attend primary school for 21 days after the onset of cough or until they have completed five days of a course of antibiotic treatment. This is legislated under The Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 (Schedule 7).
• Staff with pertussis should not attend school for 21 days after the onset of cough or until they have completed five days of a course of antibiotic treatment.

CONTACT SCHOOL FOR STUDENT ABSENCES

A reminder to Parents/Carers to complete a 'Parent Notified Absence' in Pam or phone the School office - 52 315292

 before 10:00am the day of your child's absence.

This is an important reporting requirement.

Thank you for your assistance with this matter. 

Jack Lenaghan - Principal