From the Office

Important Notice

We wish to advise families that a case of head lice has been reported in the Year 3/4 area.

As head lice can spread easily through close head-to-head contact, we strongly encourage all families to check their child’s hair regularly and commence appropriate treatment promptly if live head lice are identified.

Hair Management

To assist in reducing the spread of head lice throughout our school community, all students with shoulder-length hair or longer are required to have their hair tied back neatly while at school.

We ask that parents and carers ensure their child’s hair is securely tied back before arriving at school each day.

Checking for head lice

The Victorian Department of Health recommends that parents and carers regularly check their children for head lice.

If live head lice are found, please:

commence appropriate treatment as soon as possible;
notify your child’s classroom teacher and the school office;
advise the school when treatment has commenced; and
continue to follow the treatment instructions and regularly check your child’s hair.

The school is aware that head lice can be a sensitive issue and is committed to maintaining your confidentiality.

School attendance requirements

The Victorian Department of Health’s School Exclusion Table identifies pediculosis (head lice) as a condition requiring exclusion “until the day after appropriate treatment has commenced.” This requirement is prescribed under the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019.

We appreciate your assistance in regularly checking your child’s hair and promptly commencing treatment if required. Working together helps us minimise the spread of head lice within our school community.

Further information

For further information about identifying, treating and preventing head lice, please visit the Victorian Department of Health or Better Health Channel.

Victorian Department of Health – Head lice

Better Health Channel – Head lice (nits)

School Hours & Late arrivals

School gates are officially opened and supervised from 8:30am and students can make their way to the classroom when the first bell is rung at 8:37am. The second bell will be rung at 8:45am to indicate the school day has officially begun. Any children arriving after the second bell at 8:45am would need to make their way to the school office via the Springvale Road entrance to collect a Late Pass.

Please note the Allen Street gates will be locked at 8:45am meaning that if you arrive late at the Allen St car park you will not be able to gain access into the school. We also ask parents who park at the Allen Street entrance and enter the school to please ensure they leave the premises before 8:45am to avoid being ‘locked-in’ and needing to walk around.

To ensure a smooth start to the school day, we kindly request that students are dropped off on time. Arriving promptly helps maintain our daily schedule and supports a positive, focused beginning for all students. Additionally, we encourage you to schedule appointments outside of school hours whenever possible. This will help minimise disruptions to your child’s learning and ensure they make the most of their time in school.

We have recently upgraded our iPad technology at the front office. Please note that with regard to any late arrivals or early departures, you will be required to accompany them to or from the office and sign them in or out using the iPad/QR code.

School ends at 3:15pm and we appreciate parents picking up their child(ren) no later than 3:30pm as staff have other duties to attend to. If you are held up at work, please make arrangements to register and book your child in to after school care, operated by MACSeye .

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support in making our school days efficient and productive.

Student Absences

Please remember to inform the school if your child is going to be late or away from school before 8:30am on the day of the absence. The nForma Portal can be used to advise of absences in advance.

Extended absences due to holidays or other family commitments should be notified by email to the Principal/Deputy Principal and the school office.

Same day absences must be notified to the respective classroom teacher and school office by emailing:

Office - info@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au

Principal - Alyce.Lowther@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au

Deputy Principal - Angela.Foale@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au

Wellbeing - tricia-rose.robinson@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au

Prep A - bianca.campli@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au

Prep B - mary-anne.sammut@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au

1/2 C - suzan.atyimas@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au and

jessica.brophy@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au

1/2 D - chiara.pascuzzi@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au

1/2 E - mia.somerville@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au

3/4 F - anthony.adaman@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au and

eska.ta@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au

3/4 G - melissa.sedony@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au

3/4 H - carmel.wood@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au

5/6 J - daniel.cotesta@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au

5/6 K - maddie.dicosmo@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au

5/6L - lora.t@leonardsgwav.catholic.edu.au

Teachers generally check email messages just before and/or immediately after school as they are busy teaching during class. As such, it is important to inform any absences before 8:30am and also advise the office of any absences so that the student roll is updated accordingly. Note that we do still require written notification of why a child is absent on any day.

Your child's safety and wellbeing is paramount and we trust you appreciate the importance of notifying the school of any delays or absences in a timely manner.