Deputy Principal's News

Dear Parents and Carers,

Tomorrow marks the 40th day of Remote Learning during this lockdown. Whilst this is not a milestone we wanted to achieve, it has provided students with the opportunity to develop a skill set for learning online. As a matter of fact, it has provided us all with the opportunity to further develop how we use digital technologies to communicate and learn.

Whilst there are many positives in being able to navigate online platforms, it is an opportune and timely reminder that we need to be vigilant in the way that we and our children use technology, so as we maintain a high level of cybersafety. Whilst at school, we do have filters which allow us as much as possible to provide a safe online learning environment. As children develop their technological skill set, it is also pertinent that they continue to develop their ability to stay safe online. Attached please find a link to the Parent resources section of the eSafety Commissioner website. The attached screenshot provides families with tips on how to have conversations to stay safe online.

Reference: ttps://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/resources#information-sheets

School Closure Days

On Friday the staff met online for a successful planning day. Our next planning day is scheduled for Friday, 3rd of December. A reminder that on Monday, 1st November, (Melbourne Cup Long Weekend), there will be no school for students. This will be a report writing day for staff.

These events have also been updated on the St James Parent calendar.

Return to School (Staggered Starts)

On Monday we look forward to welcoming back to school our Prep students, followed by a staggered start time for other levels. Please find below the information shared with all families Tuesday, 11th October regarding our return to school protocols.

All metropolitan students will have a staggered return to onsite learning, beginning on Monday 18th October. In accordance with the Victorian State Government’s phased return to school plan. Please refer to the table below for the return to school dates for each year level and days of the week that your child's year level will be onsite.

Please note: Specialist classes will remain off site until all classes resume onsite learning.

Attendance

As school recommences, student attendance will be recorded as per the usual school year. Students who are medically vulnerable are asked to inform their teacher and the Principal as soon as possible. We require a letter from a GP explaining the condition of the student; this also applies for students living with a medically vulnerable person/family member. All other students are expected to be at school. Once onsite learning commences there will be no provisions for families choosing to keep their children at home unless a certificate is received. However, if a student/family/class is isolating, we will then of course communicate the process and what will occur. This will most likely involve signing into a google meet for the day as per remote learning or a student pack will be organised. Work will also be posted to Google classroom or Seesaw where possible. Please be aware that we are doing everything possible to ensure our COVID safe plan minimises risk to our community.

Masks

It is intended that students in Year 3 and above will be required to wear a fitted face mask while in the classroom or otherwise indoors at all Victorian schools. However, the public-health measure is also strongly recommended for students in Prep through to Year 2 but is not compulsory. https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/covid-19-chief-health-officer-update#update-mask-wearing-advice

Masks are to be supplied by the students. We will have additional masks specifically for students if they have forgotten theirs.

Drop off and Pick up

We are required to maintain physical distancing as much as possible in our classrooms, between staff and students. Therefore we ask that you respect our requests to minimise contact and continue with social distancing during drop off and pick ups.

In order to achieve this we would like you to read the following information and familiarise yourself and your children with our drop off and pick up procedures that will be in place until the end of Term 4. If you are able, we highly recommend that you take your child on a trip to St James to show them where drop off and pick up will be taking place. Prepare your child for the fact that you will not be accompanying them into the school but their teacher will be there to greet them. Parents will be asked to assist their children out of the car but then must move on quickly in order to allow cars to drop and go.

If you have multiple children at the school please drop them all at the same time as the youngest child’s drop off time and pick them up at the youngest child's finish time.

The drop off and pick up points are in place regardless of whether you drive, ride or walk to school.

Further Information:

The doors and gates to the school will be locked prior to the first drop off of 8.45am. OSHClub will be open for anyone requiring pre and after school care. If your child is booked into OSH you will need to call OSHClub and a member of their team will come out to collect your child.
There is to be no parents onsite or mingling during drop off or pick up.
If a student comes to school and is deemed unwell, parents will be notified and they must collect their child as soon as possible.
Students who have existing medical plans are advised to have these updated to reflect COVID-19 instructions from their GP.
If your child will be absent the school is to be notified as per the normal procedure.
iPads/Chromebooks will remain at school from the 5th of November. Prior to this, they will need to be brought to and from school each day the students attend.
Students must bring their own drink bottle; students are not to use the communal kitchen for anything other than filling drink bottles. There is to be no sharing of food as per our usual practice.
There will be NOlunch orders for the remainder of the term. There will be NO sharing of food.
Specialist classes will continue to be run remotely on the days that your children are not onsite until all students return to face to face.
Students who have been in attendance for supervision will continue to be supervised by either specialist staff or a member of the leadership team plus additional learning support staff.
Classes will be scheduled outside where possible and classroom windows will be open. Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately.
Unfortunately the following activities have had to be cancelled: Year 4 camp, Zoo snooze and swimming lessons/carnival. The staff have been working hard to work on varying options to ensure the students still have some form of camp “incursion”.
Further information in regards to Grandparents day will be shared by classroom teachers asap.
Please ensure you contact the school as soon as possible if you or your child are deemed a close contact.
No sports equipment is to be brought from home.

Cleaning and Air Conditioning;

We are quite lucky in the fact that we have an almost brand new system in place. A CO2 audit was conducted on the 7th October by a regulator in which the air conditioning units and all measurements within classrooms were taken and comply with the ranges that are recommended. A second audit will be conducted once children return.

Enhanced school cleaning guidelines have been negotiated and will be implemented according to Health Authority guidelines.

All classrooms will require their own antibacterial spray, wipes, paper towel and hand sanitiser. These are to be used as needed during the day however, desks and chairs will be cleaned down after school by cleaners. There will be progressive cleaning throughout the day specifically on high touch surfaces.
Specialist classes will take place in the classroom except for PE to minimise student movement.
Sports equipment for recess and lunch will be moved to a tub in each classroom. All equipment will be labelled with year levels and will be disinfected after each use.

Thank-you for your time, patience and understanding as we transition back to onsite learning.

Brendan Flanagan Mrs Georgia McNamara Carmelina Corio

Principal Student Wellbeing Leader Deputy Principal

Please find below some friendly reminders.

Summer Uniforms

A reminder that all students should be wearing their summer uniforms to school in Term 4. Wearing of the school navy legionnaire's cap or wide-brimmed hat is compulsory during terms 1, mid -late term 3,and term 4.

Please refer to the following website, should you need to purchase uniform items https://nichollsschoolwear.com.au/

School Photos

Due to current government restrictions, the date for The Year 6 Graduation Photo and Student Leadership Photos had been postponed until further notice.

A new date will be scheduled based on government restrictions and CECV School Operations Guide.

COVID-19 Safety at School

At St James we have put a number of strategies in place to reduce the risk of transmission. No one strategy is 100% effective.

Here are just some of the ways we are doing to keep our Students, School community and Staff safe and well.

In light of current restrictions and inline with our School COVID Safety we ask that you respect and follow the following guidelines.

A few reminders regarding students who attend onsite during Remote Learning 2.0

Please ensure that they bring their assigned device (iPad or Chromebook) which has been labelled by the school. If students are attending each day, they need to ensure that devices go home each night and are brought back charged. Devices should not be left at school, in the event that the school is closed and we are unable to enter the building.

Students require their own set of headphones for Google Meets etc.
A daily Student Covid-19 Declaration Form will need to be completed and brought to school each morning.

Parents and Carers who have enrolled their child/ren in onsite supervision, please ensure that you fill in the Operoo shared with you.

Service Victoria QR Code and Face Masks

We kindly ask that all parents, carers and contractors and volunteers check-in using the Service Vic QR code displayed and wear a mask when entering the school building.

Thank you.

Self Isolating during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Can we kindly ask that if you or your family are required to self isolate during these times, that you inform the school via info@stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au so that we can offer any assistance possible.

Thank you!

Social Distancing

Thank you to all parents and carers who are helping the community to stay safe and healthy by keeping 1.5m apart at drop off and pick up times.