Acting Principal
Mr Chris Grimmer
Acting Principal
Mr Chris Grimmer
With the slight easing of restrictions in Regional Victoria over recent weeks we are able to undertake some of the activities that have been impossible throughout the COVID lockdown.
Term 4 will continue to be a challenging time for schools, with a staggered return to face-to-face learning and the potential for continued disruptions (hopefully not). However, term 4 is also a critical time for the re-engagement of students, the re-establishment of school routines, and undertaking the steps necessary to prepare for and complete successful transitions into 2021.
This means refocusing our efforts on a set of common and core priorities: the most important things our school system must deliver over the remainder of this year and into 2021.
In every school’s 2021 Annual Implementation Plan there will be a specific 2021 Priorities Goal with three Key Improvement Strategies, one for each priority area. All schools will be required to complete planning against the three KIS related to the 2021 Priorities.
The three priority areas for 2021 at Merbein P-10 College are:
This year Merbein P-10 College council had allocated two student free days but unfortunately due to COVID-19 we have had to cancel our presenters and not proceed with the days. As a result the following new dates have been allocated for our student free days in Term 4.
Due to road works in Channel Road/Park Street access to the college will be impacted for several weeks. Parking and student drop off in Park Street should be avoided and buses will not be able to drop off and pick up from the normal bus stop in Park Street. Mr Morgan has informed students of the changes via Compass, and families should be aware that buses will be stopping on Commercial Street in the morning and afternoon until the road works are completed. Unfortunately this work was planned for September but was delayed, so at this stage it will impact the college until around mid-November. Please remember that U Turns should not be carried out at the front of the school in Commercial Street, as this increases the chance of accidents and injury to students.
A reminder to families that next Tuesday 3rd November is a public holiday in Victoria for the Melbourne Cup. No students or staff will be onsite that day.
Grass pollen season occurs between October and December. Parents are reminded of an increased risk of seasonal asthma, hay fever and epidemic thunderstorm asthma during this time.
Epidemic thunderstorm asthma events are triggered by an uncommon combination of high grass pollen levels and a certain type of thunderstorm, resulting in large numbers of people developing asthma symptoms over a short period of time.
People with a history of asthma, undiagnosed asthma or hay fever are at an increased risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma during this time. Having both hay fever and asthma that are poorly managed increases the risk further.
More than ever before, this year it’s important for staff and students to manage any hay fever or asthma symptoms, as these conditions can produce symptoms that are similar to coronavirus (COVID-19) such as runny nose, cough or shortness of breath.
Don’t assume symptoms are due to hay fever or asthma.
If your child is experiencing symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss or change of sense of smell or taste, that are different in any way to their usual hay fever or asthma symptoms, they should self-isolate immediately and test for coronavirus (COVID-19).
The best way to reduce and prevent symptoms of asthma or hay fever and reduce unnecessary absences from school is to follow an up-to-date asthma action plan or hay fever treatment plan. Please ensure your child’s plan is up to date and a copy supplied to the college.