St Anthony's School

Important COVID-related announcements

Active, engaged students achieve the best results through ‘Student Voice’ 

Please take the time to complete our Remote and Online Learning Survey

We sent you the link via dojo this week. It is available in Arabic and Vietnamese.

The purpose of this survey is to gather feedback regarding learning and teaching during the St. Anthony's Remote Online Learning. This feedback will be vital if we are required to undertake future remote online learning models. We appreciate your support and honest feedback in order to provide quality learning programs during this challenging time.If you require help filling out this survey or it to be translated into another language, please call the school and we will be more than happy to assist.Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey.

https://forms.gle/fjTZC1xTH1Ras3DRA

 

Information regarding returning to School in Term 3

As you are aware, the coronavirus situation in Victoria has evolved rapidly over the past few days.

The Catholic Education Commission Victoria is waiting for updated health advice before issuing a School Operations Guide for Term 3 or providing new guidance on camps and excursions.

An updated School Operations Guide for Term 3 will be provided when possible. However, until such time, existing arrangements will remain in place.

 

Please note that in Term 3 drop off procedures will remain the same.  

Term 3 pick up times have changed to allow for more learning time.

Please note that children cannot be just dropped off in the car park before 8.20am. You need to stay with your child if you choose to arrive earlier than 8.20am. There must be a teacher on duty in the car park to welcome your child. Our gates do not open until 8.20am.

 

Drop off

8.20-8.30- P-2 drop off only including older siblings

8.30-8.45 3-6 drop off time

 

Pick up

3.10-3.20 P-2 pick up only including older siblings

3.20-3.30 3-6 pick up only

 

Late arrival

If you arrive to school after 9am you MUST walk your child into the office and sign them in. Children cannot sign themselves in. 

 

Thank you for your great cooperation once again.

 

Advice on Students Returning in Term 3

All students in the year levels returning to onsite learning are expected to attend school. Schools are not expected to provide a home-based learning program for students in these year levels, where parents elect to keep these students at home, except where this is based on medical advice. St Anthony’s, along with every school in the state is not in the position where we can continue both remote learning and onsite learning. As a result St Anthony’s will be onsite learning only. 

 

This has implications for families who elect to keep their child home. It is unfair in these circumstances to be putting added workload pressures on teachers by requesting additional work. Please do not request work if you have chosen to keep your child at home. Children will still have access to the class Google Site, Google Classroom, Dojo, reading Eggs and other learning platforms that your child uses. Unfortunately we are not in a position to be uploading all work that is supplied to onsite students.  

 

School Health and Safety Measures 

St Anthony’s has adopted best practice guidelines with a variety of strategies to support physical distancing and good hygiene practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and minimising adults onsite. Some of these measures are: 

  • pick up and drop off changes - see above
  • signage to remind staff, students and families of the need for changed behaviours
  • students sanitise/wash every time they enter a new learning area and before eating
  • extended and increased cleaning arrangements - see below
  • changes to water fountain usage
  • sanitizers and soap dispensers supplied for every room
  • teachers reinforcement of  good hand washing techniques
  • changes to office entry procedures for access and deliveries
  • recommendation to install and activate COVID Safe app
  • classroom supplies are not shared where possible
  • additional First Aid area set up for any children presenting with cold like symptoms
  • disposable pillow cases and bedding for regular first aid room

Extended and Increased Cleaning Arrangements

The Victorian Government has announced additional funds for Catholic schools to support enhanced cleaning measures to facilitate the return to onsite learning. We have implemented the Catholic Education Melbourne enhanced school cleaning guidelines to inform the scope of enhanced cleaning works at St Anthony's to reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Some of the key arrangements include multiple daily cleaning and disinfecting of

  • high-touch surfaces including chairs, desks and tables
  • entry/exit high-touch surfaces and stairwell rails
  • bathrooms including fixtures
  • play equipment
  • main entrance high-touch surfaces
  • as well as reactive cleaning support to the school

Pick up and Drop Off Changes 

 

All student drop off and pick up will be through on the following methods

 

Walking:

  • You may always park away from the school and allow your child to walk to/from the school without assistance
  • walk to/from home

School bus:

The school bus is running as normal.

 

By Car:

ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BE DROPPED OFF AT 

1.ALFRED ST (KISS AND GO) AND ENTER VIA THE BACK GATE OR 

2.FRONT CARPARK (KISS AND GO) AT THE NEW DESIGNATED DROP AND GO POINT (MARKED WITH FLAGS AND CONES).  

ALL STUDENTS WILL BE WALKING AROUND THE HALL FROM THE PEDESTRIAN GATE NEXT TO THE LARGE STAFF CAR ENTRY GATE AND THROUGH TO THE 3 DESIGNATED ENTRY GATES. THEY WILL NOT BE WALKING NEAR THE CHURCH WORKS IN THE MORNING.

3. THERE IS NO PARKING IN THE FRONT CAR PARK DUE TO CHURCH WORKS AND ADVICE FROM CHIEF HEALTH OFFICER THAT PARENTS NOT GATHER AND CONGREGATE IN CAR PARKS. PREP PARENTS ONLY ARE ALLOWED TO PARK AND WALK THEIR CHILD TO THE ENTRY GATE. WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO USE ALFRED ST RATHER THAN THE FRONT CAR PARK DUE TO CHURCH WORKS.

STAGGERED DROP OFF PROCEDURES

  • All Prep-2 students (this includes P-2 students with brothers and sisters in 3-6) should be dropped off between 8.20-8.30am at either designated drop off point.
  • All 3-6 students (without younger P-2 brothers or sisters) should be dropped off between 8.30-8.45am at either designated drop off point.

ONCE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN DROPPED OFF THEY WILL ENTER VIA THE FOLLOWING WELL LABELLED GATES AND BE ASSISTED BY STAFF ON DUTY. SANITIZER STATIONS WILL BE SET UP AT GATES, STAFF ON GATE DUTY WILL USE THE NOZZLE DISPENSER TO APPLY TO ALL STUDENTS HANDS AS THEY ENTER. THESE NEED TO BE USED AT ALL ENTRY GATES. NO PARENTS/ADULTS PERMITTED BEYOND THE GATES.

o P-2 Large gate between admin building and Staff Centre entering quad (look for 

the sign).

o 3-4 Small gate following painted footsteps into quad (look for the sign). 

o 5-6 Large gate adjoining bus shelter into adventure playground (look for the sign).

STAGGERED PICK UP PROCEDURES

PLEASE FOLLOW THE SAME PROCEDURES FOR ALFRED ST OR FRONT CAR PARK AS ABOVE

  1. All Prep-2 students (this includes P-2 students with brothers and sisters in 3-6) should be picked up  between 3.10-3.20pm at either designated pick up point. Before 3:00pm, there will be an announcement asking older siblings to pick up younger siblings and move to the area where they will assemble to be picked up.
  2. All 3-6 students (without younger P-2 brothers or sisters) should be picked up  between 3.20-3.30pm at either designated drop off point.

After school care will be ready at 2.45pm for children to arrive at 3.00pm. 

Implications for Drop Off and Pick Up

  • Several staff members will be on duty to direct both areas
  • Gates and classroom doors will open at 8:20am
  • Gates will reopen at 3:00pm
  • No child is to be dropped at the school before 8:20am
  • No parent is to congregate near any gate entrances except by appointment
  • Students will be divided into two groups and taken to one of the two gates at pickup
  • Students attending Aftercare  will be collected by Aftercare staff
  • Parents to remain with cars in pick up zones
  • Ensure your child has a coat / umbrella to protect them from rain

Please allow for patience in the car park and back gate as we reintroduce the 3-6 children back. So far with all P-2 parents the process has worked beautifully. We thank you.

 

Wellbeing

As we prepare for a return to onsite learning, St Anthony’s is aware that returning to the classroom may be challenging for some students and trigger anxiety. In the report Leaving the bubble: Helping anxious kids prepare for a return to the classroom by Peter Hanlon, he draws on the expertise of Dannielle Miller to highlight how developing a plan on how to tackle difficult situations once back at school can foster a sense of control and calm. Leading clinical psychologist Andrew Fuller outlines his seven priorities for a smooth transition back to school-based learning.

 

Should you be concerned about your child’s wellbeing during this transition we encourage you to contact your child’s teacher and discuss your concerns. This will allow the school to establish plans to support and monitor your child’s transition back to school. The wellbeing team is always there to support our families. The Community Hubs leaders are also here to support our families. Lisa and Deb are available at school from Monday-Friday.

 

Communication and Email

With limited access to the school site, communication with the classroom teachers or other staff may become difficult. If you need to speak with school staff either contact the office and leave a message, contact them via Dojo  or email the staff member directly. Please ensure the email is sent within working hours. Phone calls and Google meets are available for more detailed meetings.

Key contacts 

All IT support:  ewarrener@sanoblepark.catholic.edu.au

General office enquiries:  office@sanoblepark.catholic.edu.au or 95460044

Counseling Support: jgow@sanoblepark.catholic.edu.au

Principal: prowley@sanoblepark.cathlic.edu.au

 

Water Bottles

Students are to bring their own water bottle for use at school as drinking fountains are no longer available. Students will have opportunities to refill water bottles.

 

Winter Uniform and Sports Uniform

Please remember that all students must arrive at school in their correct school uniform. On 4 days per week this means full school winter uniform (see policy and photos in last week’s newsletter), and 1 day per week on the allocated sports day this means school sports uniform (track pants and runners). The uniform shop is not open for adults at present so please order what you need through the office.

 

Return of devices

Please ensure that your chromebook and charger are returned to the school before the end of Term 2. These will be signed back in at the front office.

 

Access to the School Grounds

Parents must enter the school grounds only when essential. As a result there will be no volunteer helpers or parents on the school grounds without permission. Access to the property is granted through the school office only.  At this stage all onsite events have been cancelled or postponed until further notice. The school is exploring ways to continue our sense of community through other means. If you do have to be onsite, please minimise your time and practise physical distancing.

Pastoral letter from the Bishops of Victoria

 

The Bishops of Victoria have released a pastoral letter with information regarding the reopening of churches in Victoria.

 

Student Absences

All absences must be reported to the office through one of three ways only:

If your child is sick (runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever) - please do not send them to school

As a school community we have much to be proud of, having shown great resilience, adaptability, strength and kindness in the way in which we have responded to COVID-19 in recent months. These attributes will be important as we transition back to being together onsite and, in the months ahead. For many this will be the first time that they have seen their friends in months. We understand the importance of gifting time, of providing gentle guidance and of listening intently to the voices of our students in these coming weeks, as they begin to comprehend and clarify the changes in their world. This will continue to be an evolutionary process for us all, parent, teacher, and student alike. What matters most, is that we share the challenges and triumphs of this experience together, united in our common purpose.

 

I look forward to seeing more faces at school over the coming weeks as we return to ‘normal’, and thank you, our parents, for your belief in our school, its purpose, and its steadfast commitment to the right of every child and person to flourish and be known.

Regards

Patrika Rowley

Principal