Dear Families,

Issue Highlights

Please find below a summary of this weeks issue:

Today is Footy Dress Up Day! Who do you think is going to win the Grand Final?
School holidays begin tomorrow. We are awaiting information from the government about whether students will return to school onsite in Term 4.
Students aged 12 years and above are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Attached is a letter to parents/carers from the DET Deputy Secretary for Schools and Regional Services, Dr David Howes, about the vaccine roll out.
Vaccine and Mental Health webinar for students on Tuesday 14th September from 6pm to 7pm. Registration is via this link.
Last week was eSMART Week to ensure our students are Cyber Safe, Respectful Online and Digitally Responsible.
Foodbank Victoria will be at St Albans Secondary College on Thursday 23rd September 2021 between 11.00am -1.00pm to support families who require food support.
If you are concerned about your own or your family's wellbeing, please contact one of the community supports and services available to you and your child, these include Parent Line: 13 22 89 & Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800.
There's plenty of free, low-cost and virtual events and family attractions to choose from to entertain the whole family over the school holidays (see below).
Showcase of students' learning from across the school in Primary, Secondary and Senior Secondary.
Allied Health and Wellbeing information to support you and your child.
Community news including from Jackson OSHC provider TheirCare.

School Holidays Begin Today

Well, this was definitely not the Term 3 any of us we expecting. It has been very unpredictable and exhausting for the whole community as we continue to navigate this pandemic. Thanks to the incredible efforts of our community, Victoria is due to hit our 70 per cent first dose vaccination target today. With this milestone, new freedoms can take effect. Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has recommended some modest easing to restrictions from 11.59pm Friday, 17th September in lockdown areas of metropolitan Melbourne – expanding outdoor social interaction, exercise, the distance you can travel from home and more.

Click Here for the Premier's Statement

Click Here for a Table of Restrictions

The schools holidays begin today for two weeks. We are awaiting information from the government about whether students will return to school onsite in Term 4. I will let families know when I get official information from DET. The school receives this after the media and following Premier's press conferences.

Vaccinations - Age 12+

As part of the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, all Victorian school students aged 12 years and above are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Students with a specified underlying medical condition or disability, including NDIS participants, are eligible for vaccination. You should speak to your child’s doctor or regular health professional prior to their appointment if you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and your child’s health.

The Victorian Government aims to vaccinate all final year students by the time they sit their end-of-year assessments (VCAL). Final year students are therefore urged to immediately make an appointment to receive a vaccine by following the instructions under the heading ‘How to book an appointment’ below.

The state vaccination centres have recently had their capacity increased to support Victoria’s drive to administer 1 million doses of the vaccine by 19th September.

Students will be supported in every way possible to be vaccinated before the assessments begin.

Students completing their final year are particularly asked to book an appointment as soon as possible to support the safe conduct of examinations. As their parent/guardian, I encourage you to help them to book and if needed, support them to attend their appointment.

Students can book their own appointment and consent to vaccination themselves if the health professional assesses them to be a mature minor. To book an appointment, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au or contact the Coronavirus hotline by phoning 1800 675 398.

To find a vaccination centre and opening times, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

From 30 August, people aged 12-39 can get their COVID-19 vaccine at a doctor’s clinic, pharmacy or community health service through the Australian Government Eligibility Checker. You can book your appointment online or by calling the vaccine provider nearest to you.

More information Translated advice about the vaccines is available on the coronavirus.vic.gov.au. For more information about eligibility, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au or use the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker. In Vietnamese: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vietnamese.

Click below to view a letter to parents/carers from the DET Deputy Secretary for Schools and Regional Services - Dr David Howes.

Vietnamese Letter:

Vaccine and Mental Health Webinar

Vaccine and Mental Health webinar for students on Tuesday 14th September

The Victorian Department of Health is hosting a live webinar for young people to provide information on COVID-19 vaccines and how to support their mental health. The free webinar is on Tuesday 14 September, from 6pm to 7pm. Registration is via this link.

Topics will include:

vaccine development and safety
accessing and consenting to a vaccination
how to book an appointment
supporting your mental health
question and answer session with the panel.

This event will be held via Microsoft Teams Live. For access information visit Attend a live event in Teams.

For further assistance, contact:

the Department of Health Coronavirus hotline: 1800 675 398
the National coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine helpline: 1800 020 080.

For current public exposure sites please visit: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites. If you have been to any of the locations below during the specified times:

Follow the specific advice listed for that exposure site
Contact DoH by completing the self-reporting form to leave your details, or call 1300 651 160.
See where to get tested

eSMART Week

Last week our students took part in activities and celebrations for National eSmart Week. This year we celebrated ‘Responsible Action’. By taking responsible action, we can demonstrate how we all keep kids safe online and offline. This has never been more important with our children's increased screen-time and access to the internet. We know this causes many issues for our families at home and at school. Many of the issues we face are because children have access to social media and apps which are not age-appropriate. This creates a real safety concern for our students. Many apps and games have a minimum age requirement under their terms and conditions, for example: ages 13+ years (facebook, instagram, TikTok) and 16+ years (WhatsApp, Zoom). For information to support you at home, please visit: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

Food Support for Families

Foodbank Victoria will be at St Albans Secondary College during the school holidays to support families who require food support.

A COVID safe drive through will be operating in the staff car park at the College. You will be able to drive in and collect a food hamper of fresh food and pantry items. Please ensure you wear a mask and complete the QR code registration as required.

Date: Thursday 23rd September 2021

Time: 11.00am -1.00pm

Address: 289 Main Road East St Albans

Pick up area: Drive into the staff carpark. Volunteers will advise you where to collect.

Your Wellbeing Matters

The ongoing lockdown is having a widespread impact on many people's wellbeing and mental health. If you are concerned about your or your family's wellbeing, please contact one of the community supports and services available to you and your child, these include:

Parent Line: call 13 22 89, chat online or visit https://parentline.com.au/

Kids Helpline: call 1800 55 1800, chat online or visit https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Lifeline: call 13 11 14, chat/text or visit https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Beyond Blue: call 1300 22 4636 or visit https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/

Headspace: visit https://headspace.org.au/schools/headspace-in-schools/

R U OK? visit https://www.ruok.org.au/

Things to do these school holidays

Entertain the whole family over the school holidays with these kid-friendly events and activities. There's plenty of free, low-cost and virtual events and family attractions to choose from.

Download Holiday Activity Grid Below:

I hope that with the state reaching the 70% vaccination milestone that restrictions continue to ease over the 2-week holidays; and in turn this means that you are able to get out of the house as a family and engage in some of the suggested activities above. My fingers are crossed that we are able to be back onsite together again in Term 4.

As always, thank you for your ongoing support and engagement with us to ensure that your child is able to continue their education whilst learning from home. We couldn't do this without this home-school partnership. I think we all deserve a well earned break.

Take care and stay safe.

Anthony

Allied Health Department News

ALLIED HEALTH