College News

Code Red Days

A Code Red Day is the highest level of fire danger rating in Victoria and is based on

information supplied by the Bureau of Meteorology and other environmental factors. These declarations can be made for either the whole State or specific Total Fire Ban Districts.

As a school on the ‘Bushfire at Risk Registry’ please be aware that once notified of a Code Red day in our district, the Catholic Education Office will be advising us to close. The operation of school buses will also cease on Code Red days. This decision when made will be communicated to families at the earliest opportunity.

Reverse Advent Calendar

It’s that time of year again!

As we prepare ourselves for the season of Advent, a major component of living out our Catholic values here at St Joseph’s College is supporting those less fortunate than ourselves.

This year, the St Joseph’s College community will once again be assisting the Echuca Neighbourhood House to create Reverse Advent Calendars.

Unlike a regular advent calendar where the focus is on receiving a treat everyday, the reverse advent calendar places the focus on giving. Instead of opening a door to reveal a chocolate each day, students and their families are invited to donate non-perishable goods, hygiene products or Christmas items, which will then be distributed to Echuca Neighbourhood House to support families in need.

Items can be delivered to student services or through LMs from Monday 24 November to Friday 5 December.

Is Your Ambulance Cover Up to Date?

The school will call 000 as soon as it is aware of an urgent or life-threatening situation, and will attempt contact with parents/guardians as soon as practicable. If a student appears to have a non-minor injury or medical issue, the school will also attempt to contact parents/guardians and will call an ambulance if deemed appropriate.

Please be aware that parents/guardians are responsible for the prompt payment of all ambulance costs.

In some cases involving injury, parents may be eligible for reimbursement of part or all of the ambulance costs through the school’s personal accident insurer.

When ambulance costs may be reimbursed through insurance

Reimbursement may be available for:

• injuries that occur at school or during school activities.
• injuries caused by a non–pre-existing medical event, for example heat stroke causing a fall and resulting injury.

What is not covered

The personal accident policy does not cover:

• injuries or ambulance transport related to pre-existing medical conditions.
• medical episodes or illnesses where no injury occurs, including asthma attacks, anaphylaxis, heart-related events, heat stroke without injury, and similar conditions.

In these circumstances, medical and transport costs remain the responsibility of parents/guardians.