From the Principal's Desk
Welcome back!
It's finally great to have all our children back on site for what is their first full week since 6th August.
No doubt there will need to be some adjustments for children and families as they reacquaint themselves with school routines. We would hope that by the end of this week all children will be arriving to school on time so as to set them up for success for the school day.
Our regular school timetable is now operational with all programs running as per normal. We ask you to please take note of the reinstated Diary Dates page of the Newsletter to keep track of all school events moving forward.
Visitors and Verification of Vaccination Status
As we return to school I need to make you all aware of our Visitors and Verification of Vaccination Status (that's a bit of a mouthful) processes especially for parents and carers attending our school site.
Firstly, the use of our Service Victoria QR codes for electronic record-keeping is now mandatory in all schools to enable the effective contact tracing of any COVID-19 cases. All visitors including parents and carers are required to check in with a QR code when entering any school building. Therefore if you need to enter the office or any classroom you MUST first check-in via the Service Victoria QR codes available at entry.
In addition, visitors including parents and carers who enter school buildings must also have had at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by 29 November 2021 or have a valid medical exception with the following limited exceptions:
- when attending to administer medical treatment to their own child when the treatment cannot be administered by the school
- when attending to collect their child who is unwell and cannot leave the school building unaccompanied by their parent/carer
- when attending for a momentary period that does not involve any sustained contact with staff or students, for example, to collect a completed art project or similar.
Visitors including parents and carers attending any event or activity inside a school building for example: school tours, PSG meetings, Parent Teacher Interviews, graduation ceremony, kindergarten transition etc are required to show evidence of vaccination. In most cases this is simply done via Qr Code check in through the ZService Victoria app.
So... For now will continue to observe the 'Stop, Kiss and Drop' signs placed outside each learning area and families will not be permitted in classrooms, unless an appointment has been made with the class teacher.
The Office will be open yet all visitors including parents and carers will need to check-in in via the QR Code and be prepared to show evidence of vaccination.
Year Prep 2022 Transition
Last week we conducted the first of our Year Prep 2022 Transition Sessions and it was wonderful to finally meet and welcome all our new families to our community.
This time there were no technical glitches and it was a nice time for families to meet each other while their children spent time in the Year Prep Learning Area.
The remaining dates of the program are as follows:
- Session 2: Friday 19th November 2:00pm - 3:15pm
- Session 3: Wednesday 1st December 2:00pm -3:15pm
Full details have been communicated to families.
Sacraments
Please see below our revised Sacrament Schedule:
First Communion,
- Year 4 Students: Sunday 14th November @ 11:00am
- Year 3 Students: Sunday 14th November @ 2:00pm
First Reconciliation:
- Year 2 Tuesday 23rd November @ 6:30pm
School Tours
As School Tours can now resume, I ask that you pass this information on to any families who are yet to determine a school for their children enrolling in 2022.
2022 Planning
Over the next few weeks staff will commence planning for 2022. Some will be attending Professional Learning experiences and year level planning sessions will be held. Any changes of timetables will be communicated to you.
CRT Shortage
At present all schools are experiencing a shortage of Casual Relief Teachers (CRTs) due to vaccination requirements and the fact that many need to quarantine at times due to being caught up as primary close contacts. We ask for your patience and understanding should we be affected by this.
SunSmart: Hats
As we return to school don't forget that in accordance with our SunSmart policy, all children are required to wear their school hat during Term 4 whenever outside.
Have a wonderful week
God Bless
Anthony Hyde
(Principal)