College Notices
Road crossing safety concern from Whitehorse City Council
Our crossing supervisor has expressed concerns that students are not crossing at the dedicated school crossing on Elgar Road and instead, crossing from an angle further along Elgar Road. In addition students are not waiting for the crossing supervisor's whistle or the 'green man'. This is most concerning given the extensive traffic on Elgar Road. Please help us to instil correct road crossing practices in an effort to prevent any safety issues.
Safety and respect for our neighbours
Please be mindful of the safety of our students and the wider community when collecting your child from school. It is illegal to park within 10 metres of a corner. A reminder that pickups should not occur in the car parks inside of the College grounds.
Similarly we ask that you be courteous to our neighbours and not park across their driveways while waiting for your child.
Visitors and WWCC
Koonung Secondary College values the many volunteers that assist in our classrooms, with sports events, camps/excursions, school concerts, other events and programs. To ensure Koonung Secondary College is a child safe environment, visitors will be required to undertake suitability checks, which in most cases include a Working With Children (WWCC) Check. Volunteers are to produce their valid card to a member of the administration team for verification in the following circumstances:
• Volunteers who are not parent/family members of any student at the school are required to have a WWCC Check if they are engaged in child-related work regardless of whether they are being supervised
• Parent/family volunteers who are assisting with any classroom or school activities involving direct contact with children in circumstances where the volunteer’s child is not participating, or does not ordinarily participate in, the activity
• Parent/family volunteers who assist with excursions and activities, including productions, camps and similar events, regardless of whether their own child is participating or not
• Parent/community School Council members sitting on School Council with student School Council members, regardless of whether their own child is a student member or not.
Further information is available in our visitors and volunteers' policies, which can be found in school documentation on Compass.
Student accident insurance arrangements
Families are reminded that neither Koonung Secondary College nor the Department of Education provide personal accident insurance for students. Parents and carers are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including any transport costs. Student accident insurance policies are available from some commercial insurers. These cover a range of medical expenses not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.
It is recommended that families seek assistance in this matter with their insurance broker or find a suitable personal accident insurer.
Occupational Health & Safety at Koonung
The Department of Education has a comprehensive Occupational Health and Safety Management System which has been in place at Koonung for some years. This helps to provide a safe school environment for staff, students, parents and contractors.
Please take note of the following:
Traffic within the College grounds
Student drop-off and pick-up is not permitted within the College grounds unless the student is injured or disabled. All traffic entering the school grounds must observe the speed limit of 10kmh (ie walking pace).
Smoking and vaping
It is an offence to smoke or vape anywhere within the College grounds and within 4 metres of all school ground entrances. This applies 24/7 regardless of whether or not students are at school.
Stace Kerr
Business Manager
Thunderstorm Asthma
There is an increased risk of seasonal asthma, hay fever and epidemic thunderstorm asthma during seasons with increased grass pollen levels. In Victoria, this is typically between October and December each year.
Epidemic thunderstorm asthma events are triggered by a combination of higher grass pollen levels and a certain type of thunderstorm.
People with a history of asthma, undiagnosed asthma or hay fever are at an increased risk under these conditions. This risk is increased further for people who have poorly treated hay fever and asthma.
The best way to reduce and prevent symptoms of asthma or hay fever and reduce unnecessary absences from school is to follow an up-to-date asthma action plan or hay fever treatment plan, provided by a general practitioner (GP) or specialist.
Helen Lamers
College Nurse
Instrumental Music Recruitment Night
On 21 November, our instrumental music team will be providing an opportunity to learn more about the program. This event is open to all members of the Koonung community who would like to know more about the Instrumental Music Program and speak with instrumental staff and try out the instruments offered at Koonung.
If interested in this event, please refer to the Compass newsfeed.
Request from David Winter (Bread Street) to support those in need at Christmas
David Winter (Bread Street in Hamilton Street, Mont Albert North) is a strong supporter of Koonung and has assisted with many events here throughout the year. It is our time to support him! David, along with MASH Rotary, is selling mince pies and order forms are attached. Order and payment details are on the attachments. Your orders will be delivered to Koonung. David has also asked families to support his Christmas Appeal drive. Families are welcome to donate non perishable items to his Bread Street store in Hamilton Street, Mont Albert North.
