From the Principal's Desk
Welcome Back
Welcome back to the 2022 school year. I hope you had an enjoyable holiday and although it may have been hampered due the effects of COVID-19, I hope you were able to enjoy some quality time as a family. It’s always wonderful to hear and share stories of our experiences over the long break!
As we begin the new year it has been wonderful to see our children (and parents) arrive to school each day with huge smiles on their faces as they reunite with friends and teachers. It has been especially pleasing to see how seamlessly they have transitioned into their Learning Communities and have begun forming new relationships together.
A special welcome to all our new families who have commenced at Corpus Christi School. We hope that your time here is very special and that we can form a wonderful partnership in the education of your children and in building our wonderful school community.
I must also congratulate our Year Prep children for settling into their Learning Community so well in their first few days of school. They are quickly picking up routines and expectations and I have yet to see a tear. Well done!
School Operations
With the Victorian Government's emphasis on schools remaining open, all schools have been asked to hold off on all the normal celebratory events of a new school year (e.g. Welcome Breakfast, Beginning of the Year Mass etc) and proceed with caution for the first 4 weeks of school.
So... further to my communication to families on Friday please find below additional information regarding our school operations in line with the Victorian Government's Back-To-School Plan; aimed at ensuring every possible effort is made to ensure staff and students are safe and schools remain open.
Rapid Antigen Tests:
Free rapid antigen tests will be made available for all students in Victorian schools for the first four weeks of Term 1 2022.
- Tests will be provided in packs of five individual tests. Each child will be given one pack in Week One and one pack at the start of Week Three
- TODAY your child will be given their first box. If your child is away today you will need to collect the tests from the school office.
- While voluntary, these tests are to be conducted twice weekly on school days.
- If a student receives a positive test result at any time, it must be reported through the Department of Health system (Rapid Antigen Tests Coronavirus Victoria) or via the coronavirus hotline at 1800 675 398.
- Parents must also report a positive result to the school office on 93147303 or via email to info@cckingsville.catholic.edu.au
Management of Confirmed Cases
When we receive notification of a positive case at school, I will send out a notification to ONLY those families in Learning Communities affected.
- If your child is not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, they can continue to attend school, but you should monitor for symptoms.
- Students who show symptoms of COVID-19 cannot attend school and should get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result.
- Students should continue with twice-a-week rapid antigen testing on school days.
- If your child returns a positive result, your child has COVID-19:
- you must quarantine your child for seven days
- advise the school about the positive result
- your child must stay home until their symptoms have resolved and they are well
- Everyone in your household is a close contact and must isolate for 7 days.
- You must also report your child’s positive test to the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form or call the centre on 1800 675 398.
Face Masks
- Face masks are compulsory indoors for children in Years 3-6 and recommended for children in Years Prep-2
- It is the responsibility of families to provide their child with face masks
- Face masks are compulsory indoors for all staff and visitors aged 8 and over
- Face masks are not compulsory to be worn outside
Sports Uniform
Children are to wear their SPORTS uniform (2 days per week) on days where they are scheduled for Physical Education.
For Term 1, these days will be -
Year Prep: Thursday and Friday
Year 1/2: Tuesday and Wednesday
Year 3/4: Tuesday and Wednesday
Year 5/6: Thursday and Friday
Staffing 2022
For your information please see below a full detailed staffing profile for 2022-
Principal: Mr Anthony Hyde
Deputy Principal/Religious Education Leader: Miss Jane Wilkinson
Director of Learning & Teaching: Ms Deborah Courtney
Learning Diversity Leader: Mrs Nives Childs
Wellbeing/e-Learning Leader: Miss Lauren Borg
School Administration Officers: Miss Debbie Yarak and Mrs Deanne Fitzgerald
Year Prep Community
Prep L: Miss Lauren Borg & Mrs Danielle Camerota
Prep N: Mrs Nives Childs & Mrs Danielle Camerota
Year 1/2 Community
Year 1/2 B: Miss Chantel Borg
Year 1/2 C: Miss Chrissie Marakis
Year 1/2 K: Miss Khanh Ly
Year 3/4 Community
Year 3/4 S: Miss Sarah Bruce
Year 3/4 R: Mr Rhys O'Loughlin
Year 3/4 K: Ms Katrina Scolaro & Signora Catrina Anderson
Year 5/6 Community
Year 5/6 S: Miss Stefanie Poropat
Year 5/6 A: Mrs Aphrodite Loizou
Library: Miss Jane Wilkinson
Italian: Signora Catrina Anderson
Visual Arts: Miss Brianna Reaney
Physical Education: Mr Dan Palanca
Reading Recovery: Miss Jane Wilkinson
Number/Reading Intervention: Mrs Tina Cuni
Learning Support :Miss Letitia Hyde
Tutor Program: Mr Dan Palanca
School Services Officer: Mrs Pha Nguyen
Shade Sails
I hope you noticed the new shade sails over the adventure playground that were installed over the holiday period. They certainly add some colour to the space.
You would have also noticed some poles being erected in the paddock over the decking and surrounding area. This is part of our soon to be developed Year 5/6 outdoor learning space with the shade sails courtesy of the Victorian Government's Shade Sails for Schools Program. We look forward to the final results.
Lunch Orders
Our Lunch Orders service (through Robert's Sreet Milkbar) will commence this week running every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. As per tradition, orders are to be written on a paper bag with (preferably) correct money sealed inside.
Children will place these into their class' lunch order basket on arrival to school.
An order form/price list can be accessed here
or via the school website: https://www.cckingsville.catholic.edu.au/news-events/forms/
Assemblies
For the first part of term our weekly assemblies need to be conducted remotely. Assemblies are held on Monday mornings commencing at 9:00am sharp.
Families wishing to tune in, can do so by connecting to meet.google.com/wjy-dvcp-gcg
School Closure Day
Please be advised that our first School Closure Day: Staff Professional Development Day for the year is scheduled for Monday 7th March. There will be NO SCHOOL for students on this day.
School Fees
Invoices for Fees and Levies for 2021 will be emailed to all families next week. Money raised from the collection of fees and levies allows us to offer our extra-curricula activities such as: Mathletics Program, Swimming Program, Dance Program, Interschool Sports Program, excursions and so on as well as covering all stationery requirements for students, classroom and program supplies/resources.
Private income raised from levies also assists with the constant upgrading of systems and programs, funding of capital works, maintenance of our buildings as well as the school environment.
It is important that all families be prepared to meet this financial commitment. Our policy, in keeping with that of the CECV, recognises that some families face difficulties and as such consideration or concession may be given. If any family finds themselves in this situation, please contact me via the school office.
As per information sent to all families last year our Fee and Levy Structure for 2022 is as follows:
Family Fee
$1470
Term 1 Instalment: $490.00 due by 8th April 2022
Term 2 Instalment: $490.00 due by 24th June 2022
Term 3 Instalment: $490.00 due by 16th September 2022
Curriculum Levy
$485 payable before 25th February 2022
Capital Levy
$115 payable by 24th June 2022
Alternatively, you may wish to set up periodical payments through your bank account with the TOTAL payable by 16th September 2022.
Payments can be made to:
BSB: 083 347
Account Number: 488033614
Please reference family name or ID number with your payment.
Please note: The school provides assistance to families holding a valid means-tested concession card (e.g. Health Care Card) with a current discount of $175 on school fees. This will appear on your account to applicable families.
Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF)
A reminder that families who hold a valid Health Care Card for the 2022 year are able to receive a government rebate through the Camp, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF) which is currently set at $125 per primary aged child.
Applications for the CSEF can be collected from the school office. We encourage families to submit these to the school office by the end of March.
I think that is enough information for one issue!
Have a wonderful week
God bless
Anthony Hyde
(Principal)