BHCS NEWSLETTER

General Information (1 of 2) 

ABSENTEEISM DUE TO FLU AND COVID

The School is currently experiencing high volumes of student and staff absenteeism due to COVID-19 and Influenza. 

 

We know that this has placed a tremendous pressure on our entire school community as everyone grapples with illness and the impact this is causing. The School is doing what it can to mitigate these circumstances to ensure the education of our students can continue.

 

We do ask, however, that families please partner with us in keeping their child home if they are unwell, or have any cold and flu symptoms. This will help to minimise the unnecessary spread of illness. 

 

Although students may be testing negative on RATs for COVID-19, some students have consequently been diagnosed with the flu. If your child is sick or if you have formed the belief that your child may be unwell, we ask that you please keep your child home.

COVID-19 INFORMATION 

We know that the changing landscape for COVID-19 guidelines is continuing to provide challenges for everyone.  Below are the guidelines as they currently stand.

 

Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)

RATs will continue to be distributed for the remainder of Term 2, but from Monday 23 May 2022, students will no longer be recommended to undertake twice-weekly RATs.

RATs will, however, continue to be required for students who are household contacts (5 negative tests over a 7-day period) or who have symptoms, in order to attend school.

The ongoing supply of RATs to families in our school will ensure that parents and carers will have them should they need them if their child is a household contact or has symptoms.

 

If your child tests positive:

  • Your child will need to remain home for 7 Days.
  • Notify the school of their child’s positive COVID test via covid@bhcs.vic.edu.au
  • Notify the Department of Health via https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/report 
  • Students/Parents are requested to email teachers if they are well enough to complete school work during isolation.
  • Remember to advise us if your child has any siblings.

If your child is a household contact of a positive case you no longer need to isolate, however:

  • Parents/carers must notify the school that their child/ren are household contacts by emailing covid@bhcs.vic.edu.au
  • Students must take 5 x RATs over the 7 days of the household contacts isolation.
  • Students must wear a mask when indoors and on the bus (unless a valid exemption applies or your child is in Prep to Year 2).
  • Parents/carers should monitor for symptoms and keep their child home if unwell or has the slightest of symptoms.
  • Ensure the student commences isolation immediately if they test positive.
  • Students who are household contacts who present with symptoms while at school will be sent home.

You can collect a free pack of five rapid antigen tests at testing centres.

 

If your child has previously tested positive for COVID:

  • They are exempt from further isolation requirements for 12 weeks after their positive diagnosis.
  • If, during this 12-week period, symptoms do develop, your child should take a rapid antigen test and remain at home until symptoms resolve.

Parents/carers visiting the school for meetings:

  • Parents, carers, and other adult visitors are no longer required to show evidence of a COVID-19 vaccination if visiting for meetings or attending school events.
  • Parents, carers or other adult visitors who are ‘volunteering’ or acting as guest speakers are captured by the current vaccine mandates that apply to schools and must be fully vaccinated in order to assist in this capacity.

Face Masks:

  • Students who are household contacts must wear masks at all times while indoors while they are attending school.
  • Students must continue wearing masks on all school buses, on public transport, and when on excursions, or in rideshare vehicles, as per government COVID requirements.
  • Staff and students who want to continue wearing face masks are able to do so, including those who are medically at risk.

RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS

Available for collection from Student Services everyday between 9:30am and 4pm.

This window is a busy space and it is likely that wait times will occur. Students are asked to factor this in when collecting, ensuring that collection will not impact on class attendance.

WE ARE HIRING 

A few opportunities to join our enthusiastic team here at BHCS have been placed on our website!  We're currently looking for:

·        Finance & Payroll Officer

·        Learning Assistant (Senior School)

·        Uniform Shop Assistant

If you, or someone you know, are interested in knowing more about these positions, read more by visiting https://www.bhcs.vic.edu.au/careers

All enquiries about these positions should be directed to applications@bhcs.vic.edu.au

 

NEW CALEDONIA LANGUAGE TRIP

We are happy to announce the return of our New Caledonia language trip for our Year 7-11 students who are currently enrolled in the French program (and are continuing next year).

 

If you are interested, we would like to invite you to join us on Wednesday, 15th June at 7 pm in the restaurant for an Info Night aimed at presenting and explaining this trip to you. 

 

Our plan is to be able to go to New Caledonia in the period between 26th June and 3rd July 2023, which coincides with the first week of our winter break next year. 

 

Emmily Goodman from GE Tours will be presenting the trip and answering questions regarding flights, activities included, accommodation, and costs. 

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

YEAR 5-12 ART CLUB

We are excited to launch our lunch time Art Club for students in Years 5-12. Every Tuesday for the first half of lunch in the DC Building. 

YEAR 7 ENROLMENTS 2024

If you have a child who is expected to start Year 7 in 2024 and have not yet submitted an application, please contact the Registrar, Jodie Davis, as soon as possible. Applications close at the end of May. 

Students who are currently enrolled in Year 5 at BHCS do not need to reapply for Year 7.

KINDER ENROLMENT 2023

If you have a child who is expected to start Kinder in 2023 and have not yet submitted an application, please contact the Registrar, Jodie Davis, as soon as possible. Applications close at the end of Term 2 

Students currently enrolled in the 3 year old program do not need to reapply.