Summary of Key Information


This is a copy of the note I sent out last week regarding information you may need to know....

 

 

Dear Parents,

 

As we prepare for a long awaited return to school, I implore you to speak openly with your children about what this means. Many in our community will be anxious and highly concerned during this time. Please reassure our young people that many things have been put in place to ensure that school will be a safe place to return to. Whilst the excitement and joy in seeing friends and teachers will be obvious, we will still be navigating some new ground including staggered returns, some mask wearing and simply transitioning back to onsite learning after an extended period. 

 

Our calm, consistent and informed voice will be more important than ever.      

 

Here is what you need to know: 

(please know that updates occur frequently)

The Victorian Government has announced a staged return to onsite learning in Term 4, with all students returning onsite by Friday 5 November.

Here are a few important factors to consider as we prepare to begin our return to school:

 

Onsite Support

Vulnerable children and children of parents or guardians who are on the authorised provider and authorised worker list can continue attending onsite. 

Remote and flexible learning will be delivered to students on the days they are not onsite.

 

Student attendance

All students are expected to attend onsite as their year levels return to onsite learning. Parent preference is not an approved absence reason. Once a particular year level returns to onsite learning, online learning will not be an option for those days.

 

Devices

Given that the students will be initially alternating between home and school:

  • Foundation students should keep their computers at home until Friday, 5th November.
  • Year 1 and 2 students should keep their computers at home until Thursday, 4th November.
  • The Years 3 to 6 students can bring their charged computers each day that they are back at school and take them home again for Remote Learning days.

Mask Wearing

Please see https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks   for the latest face mask requirements.

For all school settings, the Victorian Chief Health Officer:

 • Directs that school staff must wear face masks while teaching wherever practicable, except where removal of a face mask is necessary for effective communication.

 • Directs students in Year 3 to Year 6 to wear face masks when indoors on school premises, unless an exception applies. 

• Recommends that all other children wear face masks when at school or attending an OSHC program

We ask that all Years 3 to 6 students bring 2 named masks when they return to school.

The teachers will give each student a named snaplock bag in which to keep the mask in their tub at school. NB They can take home their masks to be washed or replaced as needed. The school will provide spare or emergency masks if needed.

For students in Foundation to Year 2, mask wearing is not mandated  but if you would like your child to wear one, please send 2 named masks to school when they return.

 

Mixing Cohorts

The students will remain in their individual class groupings to reduce mixing of different cohorts.

There will be no whole school assemblies or liturgies until further notice.

 

Ventilation

Schools are required to increase fresh air flow into indoor spaces (including shared spaces, staff areas and thoroughfares) whenever possible and to maximise the use of outdoor learning areas or environments.

  • All classrooms at St. Cecilia’s will have the doors and windows open (with the ceiling fans on a low setting) to allow for cross ventilation.
  • A carbon monoxide monitor will be used to check levels and adjust airflow accordingly.
  • All of our air conditioning filters were checked and cleaned late last term by a qualified contractor.
  • The Victorian Government is delivering air purifier units (model Samsung AX7500) to most Catholic schools (including St. Cecilia’s). The rollout of air purifiers has commenced with the Victorian Government seeking to prioritise those schools in the more susceptible locations, as advised by the Department of Health. In the meantime, we have now purchased 10 Air Purifiers which are currently being used around our school.
  • As the pandemic continues, the staff will be seeking to maximise the use of outdoor learning areas and environments.

Hand sanitising

Throughout the day, the staff will regularly remind the students to hand - sanitise after coughing or sneezing, before eating and before and after leaving the classroom to play outside or visit the bathrooms.

 

Enhanced cleaning

Throughout the pandemic, our school cleaners and staff have used hospital grade cleaners to clean all student tables and high touch surfaces - especially door handles and bathrooms areas. 

 

Shared equipment

The staff will reduce the amount of shared equipment that is used at school. 

All reading materials that are returned to school will be left unused for one week and disinfected if applicable.

 

Visitors to the school

Only essential visitors are allowed to enter the school at this time- eg for urgent repairs.

All parents are reminded to wear a mask, maintain physical distancing and only remain in the school grounds briefly to collect students or items.

NB Please remember to sign in using the QR code if you need to enter any of the school buildings.

 

Pick Up / Drop Off Zones

At this stage, we do not need to have staggered times or collection areas before or after school. Once more classes return (from Thursday 28th October) we may need to reinstate our A-M and N to Z system in Hillside Parade and Van Ness Avenue. Further details to follow.

 

School events, gatherings, and assemblies

School events, gatherings, assemblies, liturgies and non-essential meetings will be deferred or held remotely (until further notice).

 

Cases

Please inform us as soon as possible if you or any of your family members come into contact with any positive COVID cases. We have thoroughly prepared our school continuity plan to consider the impacts of an outbreak and potential closure of our school.

 

Required vaccinations for school staff

The Victorian Chief Health Officer has determined that COVID-19 vaccination will be mandatory for staff who work in schools. This includes principals, teachers, administration and education support staff, including casual relief teachers (CRTs) and pre-service teachers. All staff who work in schools will be required to have a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 18 October 2021 or be able to produce evidence of a vaccination booking within that week. All staff are required to be fully vaccinated by 29 November 2021 unless a medical exemption applies. They will be required to show evidence of their vaccination status. All staff at St. Cecilia’s will be fully compliant according to this timeline. 

 

Stay home when unwell and get tested

The most important action school communities can take to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, is to ensure that any unwell staff and students remain at home and get tested, even with the mildest of symptoms. 

 

Thank you for your ongoing support of all our students and staff.

 

Warm regards,

Marty McKenna

Principal