PRINCIPAL

Back at work

I am delighted to be back at work - back home, after 7 months of sick leave.  My sincere thanks to Mr Black and all of the staff who stepped up into different roles and additional responsibilities whilst I was away.  Thank you also to the parents and students who I have bumped into over the past months who have passed on their well wishes, and also those who have welcomed me back since I have been back at work.

In the first week, I took the opportunity to make very clear to both students and staff my expectations of each from here on into the future.  These expectations are very simple:

Students:

• Make the most of the opportunities presented to you - don't waste your learning time
• If you need help, ask.  We can't read minds.
• Respect all people, property and rules/expectations
• You will be held accountable for your actions
• Nobody has the right to interfere in the learning of others
• Every day is a new day, a fresh start

Staff:

• Every student has the right to learn
• We need to know each students' strengths, areas to grow and data, so that we can provide the appropriate learning
• Cater for all students
• Respect all students, colleagues, rules and expectations
• Students need to be in the classroom as much as possible in order to learn
• Every day is a new day, a fresh start
• Communication with home needs to be clear and timely.

At our staff meeting, we talked about our memories of our own school days - who were our favourite teachers, who were the people we didn't get along with, and most importantly - why.  This was a very powerful conversation and got people thinking.

Staffing changes

We are in the process of completing some restaffing after changes at the end of the last term.  We farewelled Mrs Katie Clements, Mr Paul Bamford, Mr David Cleary and Mrs Kate Archibald.  However I am delighted to welcome back our Assistant Principal Mrs Kylie Morrish, who has returned part time after a long period of sick leave.  We also have moved Ms Alex Connor into the position of Acting Assistant Principal for the remainder of this year.

Remote Learning.

Here we go again, with Lockdown#5.  My thanks to all for the smooth transition to remote learning - by students, staff and families.  At time of writing I don't know any more than you do re how long this will last - there is a briefing meeting for all Principals on Tuesday afternoon, after which I hope to do more.  Until then, everybody makes the best of the situation.

Everything will start from Compass.  Work by teachers will be set in Compass, in the timetabled class each day.  Parents can see the work set for their child/ren by looking at their own Compass.  Instructions for any Webex sessions, or other links will all appear in Compass.  Follow the daily timetable in Compass each day and the work will be there.

Covid19 Restrictions

As we all know, there is a local case in Mildura, and numerous exposure sites have been named - both in and around Mildura and place along the highway between Melbourne and Mildura.  

To check for the latest list of exposure sites, go to:

https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-site#exposure-site-table

Please note this keeps being expanded upon. If you have visited these sites at the exposure times do not panic, stay calm and please follow this instructions from DHHS.

Tiers 1, 2, and 3 explained

• Tier 1 exposure sites: Anyone who has visited a Tier 1 exposure site during the times listed must immediately isolate, get a COVID-19 test, and quarantine for 14 days from the date of exposure. You should also contact the Department of Health on 1300 651 160.
• Tier 2 exposure sites: Anyone who has visited a Tier 2 exposure site during times listed should urgently get a COVID-19 test and isolate until they receive a negative result. You should also contact the Department of Health on 1300 651 160.  Continue to monitor for symptoms, get tested again if symptoms appear.
• Tier 3 exposure sites: Anyone who has visited a Tier 3 exposure site during times listed should monitor for symptoms. If symptoms develop, immediately get a COVID-19 test and isolate until you receive a negative result.

Close Contact information

https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/what-do-if-you-are-close-contact

There are two types of close contacts:

• Primary close contacts: someone who has had face-to-face contact or spent time in a closed space with someone who has COVID-19 while they were infectious.  Someone who has been in an outbreak or other setting where there is a higher risk of transmission of COVID-19.
• Secondary close contacts: someone who has had face-to-face contact with a primary close contact at least 24 hours after them being exposed to COVID-19.

The Victorian Chief Health Officer or Deputy Chief Health Officer may also identify someone as a primary or secondary close contact based on what is known about a particular case or outbreak.  Close contact with someone can happen in many ways, such as:

• living in the same household or similar setting (for example, a boarding school or hostel)
• being indoors together, including in a car, lift or public transport
• being at a public exposure site at a similar time
• direct contact with the body fluids or laboratory specimens of a person with COVID-19.If a person is identified as a primary or secondary close contact, the Department of Health will notify them as soon as possible.

Nobody who has attended a tier 1/2/3 site or has been contacted by the Department of Health are permitted to be on the school site.  If you or your child has been at an exposure site during the times listed on the Coronavirus site, you must inform the school, follow the instructions of the Department of Health and inform the school of test results when they are received.

I wish you all good health, safety and the educational and wellbeing support of the school during this challenging time.

Mr. David Browne

Principal