Principal's News
Dear Families,
Thank goodness for an uninterrupted week, reestablishing boundaries, expectations and our STAR VALUES. A few children have needed reminding of these boundaries as the week has gone on- but, they are only human and a gentle reminder here and there seems to do the trick.
HELPERS NEEDED!
End of Year Barbecue: Our end-of-year family gathering and barbecue will take place after school on Thursday 9th December- to begin straight after school, and no doubt will go on until early evening. We need volunteers to help organise this simple family event. If you are able to assist with such things as purchases and manning the barbecue, please email David Stegehuis: davidandilona@hotmail.com
Thank you in advance and we hope this will be a very special way to end our school year, by finally being able to spend time together.
Christmas Giving Tree Organiser
We need someone to take on this role, which is such an important social justice actions for our school. If you are able to assist, please email Siobhan O'Dwyer: siobhan.odwyer@sjmalvern.catholic.edu.au
School Advisory Council: The role of the School Advisory Council (SAC) is to offer advice to the Parish Priest, Principal and Deputy Principal in the best interests of the St Joseph’s Parish School Community. The Board also assists and fosters the growth and development of education within the Parish Community of Malvern.
The SAC consists of the Parish Priest, Principal, parents and a staff representative. Members of the Board are appointed by the Principal in consultation with the Board; Peter Piasente (Chair) and the council are seeking new members for the 2022 school year. If you are interested in joining the SAC, please email Peter or me with an outline of the experience you could bring to the board next year:
peter@pgpconsulting.com.au
SAC terms of reference:
St Joseph's Masks
As modelled by Leni and Alyssia (Above), these will be on sale from Monday in the front office or at the gate at the end of the day. $10 per mask and there are only 50 for sale.
Mary Poppins Jr
Excitement is growing and the rehearsals are going full pelt in preparation for filming on Tuesday 30th November, in our school hall. We will be fitting costumes next Tuesday and we may need a few helpers in the morning. Please drop me an email if you're able to assist.
We also have the cast photoshoot happening on Wednesday, thanks to our old parent and photographer, Jason Williams. The Year 5 and 6 students need to pack a black t shirt for their photographs.
COVID Plans- thankfully so far, so good, but always best to be prepared.
Positive case while onsite
If a student or staff member tests positive for Coronavirus and was onsite during their infectious period, the following will apply:
- Following advice from Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), the school will close for 24 hours as a precaution, to undergo necessary cleaning and to identify students or staff who may have had close contact with the case.
- As a precaution, anyone who was onsite on the corresponding dates should limit their movements while contact identification is underway.
- If we do not contact you the next day to say your child has been identified as a close contact, your child should return to school when the school reopens.
- If we inform you that your child has been identified as a primary close contact, please ensure that your child limits their movement until you are contacted by the Department of Health directly. These calls or text messages can come from private or unknown numbers. Please answer these calls or follow the text message advice.
- Primary Close Contacts who are not vaccinated will need to follow DH guidelines and quarantine for 14 days (or as advised by DH) and can return to school after a Day 13 test.
- Fully vaccinated Primary Close Contacts should isolate for 7 days and may be able to return to school after a Day 6 test, depending on local school arrangements.
- Students and staff will need to show evidence of their test and vaccination status (if applicable) when they return to school.
- The rest of your family does not need to limit their movement at this stage.
- If you or anyone in your family develop even the mildest of symptoms, please get tested.
- Students who have NOT been identified as a close contact can return to school when it reopens.
- For any students in quarantine, if you have been tested for COVID on or after Day 13 of your quarantine period and receive a negative result, you can stop quarantining immediately. You will not be contacted by the Department of Health. Your negative test result can act as proof that you have completed your quarantine period and can return to school.
Please be aware that we cannot provide information about the person who has tested positive for COVID-19 and we ask that you respect their privacy.
Managing a Positive Covid Case NOT Onsite
If there is a confirmed case (student, staff member or parent/carer), but they were NOT on the school site during their infectious period.
- Family or staff member who tests positive are required to notify the school and quarantine according to DHHS guidelines.
- School will seek advice from the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) and the Department of Health (DH)
- Advice from MACS is that, as per the DH’s protocols for schools, no action is required at this stage because the person who is confirmed to have COVID-19 did not come on to school grounds while they were infectious.
- It is safe for your child to be onsite i.e. continue with school.
Primary close contact
If you are notified that you, your child or a member of your family are a close contact the following procedure will apply.
Primary Close Contacts who are not vaccinated will need to follow DH guidelines and quarantine for 14 days (or as advised by DH) and can return to school after a Day 13 test. Fully vaccinated Primary Close Contacts should isolate for 7 days and may be able to return to school after a Day 6 test, depending on local school arrangements.
Students and staff will need to show evidence of their test and vaccination status (if applicable) when they return to school.
The primary close contact in your household should quarantine away from the other members of the household as much as possible. If the primary close contact in your household has symptoms, they need to get tested as soon as possible.
What do I do if I live in the same house as a primary close contact?
If you live in the same house as a primary close contact, you are NOT required to isolate unless:
- you have COVID-19 symptoms. If you have symptoms, get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result.
- there are other very limited circumstances, and you will be contacted directly with advice by the public health unit, or via your primary close contact.
If your child lives in the same house as a primary close contact and does not have symptoms, your child can still attend school unless advised otherwise by DHHS.