COMMUNITY
COVID-19 Announcement
I write to provide you with an update on Western Heights College's response and planning for a potential escalation of the COVID 19 situation. Currently, School Principal's in government schools are being updated daily (including over the weekend) by the Department of Education.
I understand that it may have been a weekend of high anxiety with some families caught up in the hysteria of panic buying of essential items in supermarkets, chemists etc. It important that we remain calm and measured to deal with the situation as we are updated.
We are absolutely committed to the health and well-being of everyone in our school community and will continue to send out notifications with updates for families, as Victoria’s situation is changing daily.
There are currently no confirmed cases of Corona virus infection within the Western Heights College community, and therefore we have no plans to close the school at this stage but the reality is that the potential of this occurring seems to be imminent. We will only close the school on the advice from Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, DHHS and the Department of Education, with whom we are in daily communication.
Our current priorities at Western Heights College are to:
- Educate our school community about preventative measures to minimise the risk of spreading any virus in our school community.
- Restructure some programs and events to minimise the risk of spreading a virus.
- Conduct planning should the need arise for us to close the school for a period of time and run classes remotely.
Prevention advice:
Everyone can protect against infections by practising good hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene;
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing with a tissue, or cough into your elbow.
- Dispose of the tissue into a bin and then wash your hands afterwards.
- Wash your hands regularly and before eating, using soap and running water for 20 seconds, drying hands thoroughly using paper towel or hand dryers.
If your child feels unwell or has any flu-like symptoms do not send them to school. Phone your doctor and have them tested for the COVID 19 virus. If you or a member of your family test positive to COVID 19 please notify the school immediately on 5277 1177.
Should a student become ill at school with symptoms consistent with coronavirus they should report immediately to school’s sick bay or reception area in the administration building. If they have been overseas recently or have been in contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus they will be isolated in a separate area and parents will be asked to collect them immediately.
Additional Information is available from the Department of Health and Human Services by following this link:
Program restructure:
In the coming days and weeks we will be making decisions about events such as the GSSSA sporting events, Year 12 Focus Days and Learning Conversations.
Any term 1 camps and excursions other than excursions/activities essential for normal timetabled classes or VCE classes will be cancelled.
Term 2 camps and excursions will continue pending updated risk assessments and advice from the authorities.
Any whole school assemblies will be postponed until further notice. For the remainder of term 1, students will engage in mentor meeting room activities where important information can be disseminated. Students and parents will also be advised to keep updated via compass.
Continuity of learning:
School closure will only occur based on the advice of, and in consultation with, health and education authorities.
Families will be immediately notified using our full range of communication platforms.
In the event of school closure, students will be expected to continue their learning at home with support of their teachers via COMPASS and google classrooms. Staff will also be working from home and keeping work uploaded on these platforms.
Students will be required to take all of their text books home and to access work through COMPASS.
Some students may have limited access to the Internet or have no access to computers. Please access the COMPASS app from your mobile phone in these cases and use the resources in the local library if appropriate. There may be opportunities to borrow digital devices from the school.
If your child is a VCE or VCAL student, we understand that students will be concerned about the impact of the school closing. It is important to note that no student will be disadvantaged as a result of a period of school closure. We are awaiting advice from the VCAA regarding assessment but this does not need to be a point of anxiety for senior students.
Should the school be required to close, more detailed information about access to learning will be distributed.
The health and well-being of all members of our school community is in the forefront of our minds as we deal with an unprecedented and changeable situation. We ask that you work cooperatively with us as we plan and prepare to support our staff to continue provision of high quality learning outcomes for all students. We will maintain regular communication as the situation evolves.
Fiona Taylor | Principal
Bell Park Football & Netball Club Juniors
Australian Air League Geelong enrolling for 2020
The Australian Air League youth group in Geelong is enrolling for 2020, and will meet at the Geelong Umpire Association Club Rooms at Kardinia Park. Junior boys and girls who wish to learn more are welcome to come along with their parents to discover what the Air League has to offer.
The Australian Air League is a national organisation for young people aged from 8 to 18 years who have an interest in aviation either as a career or as a hobby. It teaches leadership skills and provides a wide range of interesting and exciting activities such as camping and hiking, sport and physical recreation, building and flying model aircraft and ceremonial drill. Through classes and practical demonstration members learn the theory of aviation and a wide range of associated topics such as Meteorology, Navigation, Aero Engines and Aircraft Construction, as well as general interest subjects such as photography, field craft and community service.
With Squadrons in most states of Australia, the Air League has been serving the community in Australia since 1934. It is entirely self-funding and is staffed by volunteers who give their time to achieve its goals.
To learn more about the Australian Air League visit our website at https://www.airleague.com.au
For more information please contact:
Malcolm Angus (Geelong Sqn)
m. 0448 229 900
or
Greg O’Brien (Victoria State Office)
operations.vic@airleague.com.au
Vines Road Fish & Chips
Special thanks to Vines Road Fish and Chips who sponsor our EAL homework club every Wednesday.
Support those who support us :-)
Big Sisterhood
Big Sisterhood run inspirational female focused workshops and sessions in schools and communities using their personal stories combined with music and dance to promote confidence and self worth for young women.
Their mission is to engage and connect with young women and leave them feeling like self-assured and empowered people!
A session will be run on March 22nd at 2pm, open to the public and hoping to engage and bring the community together. This session will have several from Big Sisterhood there to chat to the girls about things like mental health, body image, social media, culture and all things relating to being a girl!
Please have a look at our website so you can watch our promo video and learn more about us, as we would love to create a relationship with your school moving forward.