Principal's News

I would like an abundance of peace.

I would like full vessels of charity.

I would like rich treasures of mercy.

I would like cheeerfulness to preside over all.

St Brigid of Kildare

Dear Parents and Friends,

WELCOME BACK WELCOME BACK …….. 

At last, we can finally all be back together at school, like it should be! We are so excited to have all our children back onsite on Monday 1st November!!

We decided a few weeks ago to reschedule the school closure day which we normally have on the Monday before Melbourne Cup Day because of (at the time) the staggered return to school and now of course we are all back. I also understand it is the first weekend we have of freedom to travel a bit more, so if you have a break planned that is ok too - everyone’s wellbeing is important. 

What the easing of restrictions means for us and what we can do:

• Parents can come onsite but not in the buildings to drop off and pick up their children(No QR required). If your child is happy to come in alone that is the preferred option
• If parents need to come into the school buildings - QR code and showing of vaccination certificate is required and you must enter via the Albert Street entrance
• Camps
• Incursions
• Excursions
• Assemblies and Liturgies - outdoors if possible (parents can attend but must QR code in and show vaccination certificates)
• Liturgies that will be conducted at St Mary of the Cross will have to comply with Church regulations

Restrictions that will continue to apply at school from Monday 1st November

• Face Masks  - are mandatory for Years 3- 6 Indoors only
• Face Masks are mandatory for staff and parents indoors only
• Face Masks are recommended for Foundation to Year 2
• Parent movement in the school grounds and buildings limited. You can come onto the school grounds but not enter the school buildings
• If parents need to come into the school building they must come via the school office, check in with the QR code and show your Digital Covid Certificate
• External visitors to schools will be very limited due to multiple site movements eg Speech Therapists, OT’s etc will not be able to come on site due to going to different sites in the one day. If you have appointments with these specialists the option is Telehealth.  Please see me for more information.

FACE MASKS FOR CHILDREN

Parents must supply Face Masks. 

HOW WE ARE FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BEING AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE:

• Mandatory vaccinations for our school staff and regular contractors. We have to sight, record and keep all staffs Covid Vaccinations Certificates
• Ventilation - doors and windows will remain open during school time to allow fresh air flow into the indoor space. All our classes either via doors or windows have access to fresh air.
• We will be receiving the Air Purifiers from the Victorian Government, but at this stage I have had no indication when the delivery will be. The purifiers will be placed first in rooms that have not access to fresh air eg sick bay, planning room, calm room (behind Belinda Wendt’s office) and then into classrooms depending how many we receive.
• We have floor markings to denote density limits for the foyer, staff room and other spaces that are open to gathering.
• We have all signage up for density limits and QR codes spaced around the school
• We are limiting the mixing of students and staff while the children are inside - eg We will not engage in buddy activities at this stage.
• Reminding students and staff of physical distancing especially when inside. However, density limits do not apply to children in the classrooms
• The use of both Chute and Barclay street gates for students to enter the school grounds. A-K surname via Chute, L-Z via Barclay street
• Practising good hand hygiene - hands are sanitised as they go into class in the morning, before fruit snack, before recess and lunch and at the end of the day.
• Tables  are wiped down at recess, lunch and at the end of the day
• The school is cleaned thoroughly at the end of the day and our high touch areas are wiped at the end of the day (as per the guidelines)

One of the most important ways to keep our school community safe is to make sure you keep your child/ren home when they are unwell. If your child comes to school and presents at the office with the symptoms we have to watch out for we will ring you to come and pick up your child asap.

The symptoms to watch out for are:

 • loss or change in sense of smell or taste 

• fever 

• chills or sweats 

• cough 

• sore throat 

• shortness of breath 

• runny nose

Colour Run - Friday 12th November

Our Colour Run is in 2 weeks and we are looking forward to having a fun day!  There is more information from the Parents and Friends in the newsletter! Check out what you have to do to colour me a rainbow!!

CAMP 

I am very excited to let you all know that our 5/6 camp and Year 4 camp are going ahead. I am sure your children will come home very excited about this.  Permission notes and other requirements for the Year 5/6 camp will be coming out via Operoo today. Many thanks to Arch and Ange for all the phone calls they have made everytime a new announcement has been made to change our camp dates and getting in first to bet the other schools!!

SACRAMENTS

Now that our restrictions have been lifted the Year 3 Reconciliation and the Year 6 Confirmation sacraments can go ahead. We will give you further information once we have meet with Father Andrew to discuss the Covid regulations for the Church.  Jodie will be in contact soon.

WORLD TEACHERS DAY

Tomorrow is World Teachers Day, so please make the time to message, greet or say thank you for the wonderful work our Teachers and support staff do here at St Brigid's.

This term is going to be a very busy term, with the last 6 weeks filling up very quickly. Please continue to read the newsletter and Skoolbag for any updates.

Take care and stay safe.

Yours in partnership.

Wendy Sullivan