Principals Message
Parent Consent for Excursions, Camps and Adventure Activities
As we commence Term 4 2022, and have began the term with a number of planned excursions, camps and curriculum based activities is it a timely reminder to our parents, carers and the community the importance of gaining consent.
For all of these type of events, we utlise Compass to communicate to the school community all the daily operational requirements that may impact your child. With each excursion, camp or activity, a formal letter is sent home with the details of the event along with a consent slip to be returned in a prompt and timely manner. Along with this note, a secondary platform for giving consent for your child can be accessed electronically via the Compass App. Please come and speak to our administration staff if you are having difficulty accessing either of these platforms.
Our current experience regarding student consent for excursions, camps and activities is that a large proportion of students have not been given consent by their parent or carer and often our administration team have a backlog of phone calls on the monring of an event. This can and has led to some students not being able to participate in curriculum base activities due to a consent form not being returned by the due date. We feel that this is not best practice and is a result of us all getting 'back into routine' regarding extra curricular activities.
We seek your assistance in providing consent for your child in a timely manner, please view the due dates and perhaps pop them into your personal calendar as a reminder!
If you have any queries regarding how to provide consent or information about an event your child is participating in please don't hestitate to contact administration.
For more information regarding consent please see the DET Excursions Policy.
COVID-19 DET School Operations - NEW UPDATES from 13th October 2022
COVIDSafe measures have changed but all Victorian government schools are required to continue to implement important practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Schools must continue to take the important steps of ensuring air purifiers are in use, external ventilation is maximised, good personal hygiene is encouraged and face masks continue to be made available for staff, students and visitors who wish to wear them.
It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff when symptomatic. The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians should report their RAT result to the Department of Health online, or by calling 1800 675 398.
Students (or their parents) should also report a positive result to their school, either through the COVID Test portal or by phone or written notification. In the event you require further RAT tests, please come and see administration to collect a box for your child from the supply we have in stock at the school.
A ‘suspected’ case means a person who displays any COVID-19 symptoms who has not yet tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member, student or visitor who is symptomatic should be recommended to undergo testing for COVID-19. Parents of students who are symptomatic should be asked to collect their child from school and to keep them home until they are no longer symptomatic.
Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask should be supported to do so, and schools should continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.
The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home.
Additionally, the Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for at least 7 days after a positive test when they need to leave home. Current advice from the Victorian government is available at Face masks.
Monday 31st October 2022 - Student Attendance
Traditionally on the Monday before the Melbourne Cup holiday very few students attend school as families take the opportunity to have some family and holiday time before the rush of Christmas. The school’s experience in the past is that less than 10% of students attend. This makes it impossible to conduct a normal school day as too many students miss important lessons.
To avoid additional disruption to the regular school program any staff that have accrued Professional Practice Days or Time-In-Lieu have been asked to take their leave on this day, Monday 31st October, when most students are expected to be absent.
Any students that attend on Monday 31 October will be supervised by a skeleton staff and casual relief teachers (if available).
To assist in our planning for this day, the school would like students to indicate their attendance by completing and returning the tear off slip that has been sent home this week, by Monday 24th October 2022.