Wellbeing & Safeguarding
As the school year continues, many students are using devices such as laptops, tablets, phones, e-bikes and e-scooters. Most of these devices contain lithium-ion batteries, which have become part of everyday life, but need to be used safely.
Fire services are responding to an increasing number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, often caused by incorrect charging or leaving devices unattended. That’s why fire safety at home is especially important during the school year.
You can help reduce the risk by:
- Only using the charger and battery designed for each device
- Unplugging devices once fully charged
- Never charging devices on soft surfaces like beds or couches
- Not charging devices overnight, or when no one is home
- Charging larger devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters away from living spaces and keeping them clear of exits
- Regularly checking devices and stopping use if a battery looks damaged, swollen or overheats
You can watch Fire Rescue Victoria’s safety video here.
It’s also important to make sure smoke alarms are working and tested every month. Fire Rescue Victoria recommends installing smoke alarms in bedrooms, living rooms and near areas where devices are charged—because working smoke alarms save lives.
For more tips on lithium-ion battery safety, visit: https://www.frv.vic.gov.au/battery-safety
A few simple habits can help protect your home and your loved ones.
Signing Your Child In & Out & Late to School Process
All children who are arriving at school after 9:00am or leaving school before 3.20pm MUST be signed In/Out at the office. If you need to take your child out of the school during school hours please come to the office to sign your child out. The school encourages families to arrange appointments outside school hours to maximise time at school and learning in the classroom.
Attendance
Our whole-school attendance rate has had a little decline this past fortnight, with many parents letting us know their child is away due to illness. Congratulations to our Grade 4s and 6s for maintaining and even increasing your year level attendance percentage!
Remember every day at school matters. Consistent attendance helps learners build strong relationships with their peers and teachers, establish positive learning routines, and make steady academic and social progress. Even missing a small number of days can impact learning over time, so every day counts!
Child Safe Standards
The vision for Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited (CES Ltd) is to provide, in partnership with our families, stimulating, enriching, liberating and nurturing learning environments in each of the Catholic school communities within the Diocese. At the heart of this vision is our commitment to the ongoing duty of care that we have for the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of all children and young people.
St. Bernard's Primary School is committed to the safety of all children and has ‘zero tolerance’ for child abuse. The importance of embedding a child safe culture across the school is recognised and paramount, as is our commitment to complying with the requirements of The Order.
Please make yourself familiar with our Child Safe Policies and Procedures which can be accessed on the school website: https://sbwangaratta.catholic.edu.au/child-safe/
