Principal's Report
School Closures
Further to my recent updates, I would like to communicate additional information in light of recent events and in response to advice I have received from the Department of Education and Training (DET). Firstly in relation to school closures, today I received the following information:
- Further to my update last night, the Premier has this morning declared a state of emergency for Victoria. I will provide more information to you about what that means for education in my daily update later today. In the meantime, please find below an important statement from the Victorian Chief Health Officer regarding the importance of our schools remaining open for now. To assist in your communication of this to parents and your school communities, you can share the statement with them.
Importantly, we are advanced in our planning in the event that there are school closures. Teachers will still be providing a meaningful program for students who will be required to use their time at home to complete work, study, learn etc. At this time no Victorian Government school has a reported case of corona virus, nor has any school been closed or is in the process of being closed.
Camps and Excursions
As I communicated late last night, all camps and excursions (except for KIOSC) planned for the remainder of term 1 and term 2 have been cancelled. It is important to note that incursions and school based events will continue as normal.
Unfortunately as a result, these significant events will not proceed:
- All interschool sport
- Year 8 Challenge week
- Production Camp
- Presentation Ball
- Year 12 Formal
- Student conferences (parent teacher interviews)
- Knox schools expo (Thurs 19th March)
Information in relation to refunds or credits for these events will be communicated in coming days.
In particular, we regret having to make a decision to cancel the Presentation Ball, but given the uncertain environment and the close physical contact required for rehearsals we believe the best course of action would be for that event to not proceed. Please note we have not made a final decision about whether the Year 11 Central (NT) trip will proceed as of yet, but will communicate a decision as soon as we do.
Student Illness
I would like to strongly advise all parents to keep students who are not well at home. It is not appropriate for students who have flu/cold like symptoms to be at school. It places students and staff at increased risk and puts enormous pressure on school resources. Moreover, it puts students attending school who are not well in an uncomfortable position with their peers. Parents should contact school immediately, if any student or family member of a student receives a positive diagnosis for COVID-19. Similarly, if a student or family member of a student has been tested, then they must not return until a negative test has been confirmed. By keeping your unwell child home, you will support the wellbeing of the college community and more specifically the vulnerable members of the broader community who are most at risk.
Student Hygiene Practices
Please be reassured that our college is vigilantly working to have ongoing provision of soap in our toilets. Teachers will be asking students in classes to wash their hands throughout the day, which is normal practice. All teachers will be instructing students in correct hand and respiratory hygiene practices in line with the advice provided by the Department of Health and Human Services. Further information can be found at https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus, along with the attachments to this message. Posters have been displayed around the school that encourage such hygienic practices. Please discuss these practices with your children. To assist the college it is recommended you provide your child with a small container of hand sanitizer to carry in their pocket and use throughout the school day (after toileting and before eating).
As you would understand, this situation is evolving rapidly and I would encourage you to regularly engage with Compass for further information. In particular I would encourage you to download the Compass app to receive notifications if you have not already done so.
I have provided further resources attached for your information.
Kevin Murphy
Principal