Principal's Report

Welcome to the new version of the school’s newsletter! Thanks to the feedback from our communications survey, a regular style of newsletter is being reintroduced to help get information through to families. We will trial this new format for the remainder of Term 4 and then seek further feedback about the effectiveness of this publication.

Although it has been a quieter start to Term 4, with the Sydney camp leaving on Tuesday this week, the students seem more settled and have returned with a positive attitude this term. The Year 12 students are in a focussed work mode, with only 2 weeks of their official schooling left. Celebrations to mark the end of 13 years of schooling are currently being planned and this year, we will be able to return to a more normal form of celebrating with the students on achieving this milestone.

Conferences

Next Tuesday, we will be holding Conferences (formally Parent Teacher Interviews) for discussions around student progress made in Term 3. Bookings can be made through Compass and teachers will be available from 4.00 – 7.00pm. All families are welcome and we encourage students to attend to participate in these conversations.

COVID Update

While further changes will be coming in next week, the current expectations are that:

• If staff or students receive a positive test result at any time, they must report this through the Department of Health portal, via the coronavirus hotline at 1800 675 398 and to let the school know.
• Any student or staff member who tests positive to COVID-19 must isolate for a minimum of 5 days.
• If asymptomatic, they may return to school on day 6.
• If symptomatic, they must remain in isolation until day 7. People with symptoms after 7 days are strongly advised to stay home until their symptoms have resolved.
• The Department of Health strongly recommends that you wear a face mask away from home indoors and outdoors when you cannot physically distance; if you are leaving isolation on day 6, wear a mask for 5 days but particularly the first 2 days. If you are leaving isolation on day 7, wear a mask for 4 days but particularly first 2 days.
• Consider taking rapid antigen tests before attending a workplace, including schools, sensitive settings or visiting people at higher risk of severe illness. If you are positive, stay home. Tests are available for collection from school.

Medical/Enrolment Information

There is an increased risk of seasonal asthma, hay fever and thunderstorm asthma episodes during seasons with increased grass pollen levels, typically occurring between October and December. Now is a good time to get your child’s asthma, allergies/hay fever and anaphylaxis plans updated, as it is strongly advised to update these every year.

In the coming weeks, the school will be mailing home Student Enrolment Information for parents/carers to check and amend if necessary.  It is important that we have contact and medical details up to date in case of an emergency.  Asthma, Allergy and Anaphylaxis plans should be updated yearly with your medical practitioner, to ensure your child’s medical condition is being managed correctly.  Plans will be sent to parents with students with these medical conditions.  Family financial statements will also be included.

Scholarships to support students in Victorian Schools

Scholarships are available for eligible students in Grade 4 to Year 11, and for Year 12 students planning to undertake tertiary studies in 2023. 

The Department of Education and Training administers a number of scholarships that are available to eligible students who are currently enrolled in 2022 in Grade 4 to Year 11, and for Year 12 students planning to undertake tertiary studies in 2023.

Applicants for these scholarships will be evaluated on their participation in school activities, community involvement and academic record for the current year.

Scholarships are either one-off payments or cover the duration of the student’s course or annual study.

For more information and a list of available scholarships, see the 2022 Student scholarships for Grade 4 – Year 12 fact sheet. Applications are open and close on Wednesday 1 February 2023. For information on how to apply, refer to  Student scholarships.