FlexiBuzz - 2020 Communication Subscription Reminder

As recently emailed home to families, we take this opportunity to remind families of the need to update the communication subscription groups within your FlexiBuzz app.

FlexiBuzz and email are the communication platforms that we use to communicate in the case of an emergency and many details about school life. CareMonkey is the app we use for permissions – e.g. excursions and camps.

We strongly recommend that you download the FlexiBuzz app if you haven’t already done so. Instructions on how to do this can be obtained via Reception should you not be able to locate them on your email.

Once you have a FlexiBuzz account and have subscribed to Belgrave Heights Christian School, you will need to update your communication groups annually. It is recommended that you subscribe to the ‘Whole School (K-12)’ and to the class that your child is in. Please ensure that you subscribe to the class with (2020) in the description and unsubscribe from the previous year’s groups.

Should you have any questions regarding subscribing to FlexiBuzz, please contact our Reception Team.

Yr 11 & 12 Welcome Evening

On Wednesday, 19 February we will be holding a 'Welcome to Years 11 & 12 Evening', for parents and students. This is an informative night where staff will outline the role of Homegroups, Assessment in VCE & VCAL and general information about how the final two years of secondary school run at BHCS.

You will also have the opportunity to experience a VCE class or two! It's also an excellent opportunity to meet and chat with staff. We will meet in the SLC at 7pm and expect to conclude soon after 8.30pm.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Vicky Fraanje, Head of VCE & VCAL on vfraanje@bhcs.vic.edu.au

Canteen Menu - Summer 2020

The School Canteen operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays each week. Please find attached the Canteen Menu.

A Canteen online ordering system is also available through FlexiSchools. Payments can be processed online via PayPal, Visa Card, Mastercard or Bank Transfer. This means less paper bags, cash, envelopes etc at school.

Ordering online is simple. Head to www.flexischools.com.au and click "Register". Once you register your email address, you will be sent further instructions via email. Please ensure that you read and are aware of all the Terms and Conditions when you register.

2019 Yearbook

If you would like to purchase an additional copy of the 2019 yearbook, you are welcome to do so (limited number available). Simply pop into Reception who will be able to assist you. Additional copies are $5.00 each and can be paid for by Cash or EFTPOS.

School Fire Track

The school would like to advise families that parking or pick up along any area of the fire track that runs through the school grounds is prohibited. The fire track exists to ensure emergency vehicles have access if needed, and for staff to get to staff parking areas before and after school. To ensure the safety of students in the school grounds, we therefore kindly request that families refrain from using this track.

A number of families have been incorrectly using the fire track next to the Restaurant (Trade Training Centre) and parking in staff car parking this week.

With students using this track to walk to the main car park it is essential that all school families cease using the staff parking areas immediately.

School Hats

A reminder that hats are a compulsory part of the school’s uniforms during Terms 1 & 4.

Personal Details

We would like to remind families that if your circumstances change in any way - this includes address, phone numbers, email address, custody arrangements and fee arrangements - please update your CareMonkey profiles and then contact the School as soon as possible. This will assist us in ensuring that the information we provide you is received and correct. Please feel free to email any updates to office@bhcs.vic.edu.au, so this can be passed on to the relevant departments.

Secondary School vaccinations/immunisations in 2020

The Secondary School Vaccine Program offers free vaccines to Year 7 and 10 students. These vaccines provide protection against:

- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) – one dose for year 7 students
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – two doses for year 7 students
- Meningococcal A,C,W,Y – one dose for year 10 students

Parents/guardians of year 7 and 10 students should look out for the vaccine consent card booklet coming home from school with your child. You need to read the information, complete and return the card regardless of whether your child is being vaccinated at school.

The Shire Ranges Council immunisation service may contact you about the Secondary School Vaccine Program. Schools are authorised to provide basic parent/guardian contact details to local councils for this purpose. Contact the school by 24 February, 2020 if you do not want your contact details given to the Shire Ranges Council immunisation service.

To learn more about the Secondary School Vaccine Program, the vaccines, the diseases they protect against, or how you can prepare your child for vaccination, go to betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Additionally, the Commonwealth government is funding vaccinations for all children under 20 years of age who missed any scheduled vaccines, including a catch up program for Meningococcal ACWY vaccine for adolescents aged 15-19 years of age who have not already received the vaccine in school. If students have missed vaccines, either in childhood or adolescence, and require catch-up vaccines, they should speak with their immunisation provider. (ie. local council or GP).

Pedestrian Walkways

To ensure the safety of our Students and Families, please only cross at one of the three pedestrian walkways when in the carpark grounds. We thank you for your cooperation.

PFA - Parents and Friends Association

Our PFA consists of parents and friends who seek to enhance our school community. We meet once per term for a conversation around how we can be involved and sharing ideas for growing community. We operate with a very casual style.

You can stay up to date with what is happening by joining our facebook group: BHCS PFA

Our first meeting for 2020 will be held on Friday, 21 February

Time: 9am

Location: Tree Tops Cafe ( school)

If you are new to BHCS, have children in Kinder or have been part of our school for years - you are all so very welcome to come and hear more! We'd love to meet you.

- Amanda Wight, PFA Coordinator

Community Connection

PARENTS OF PRAYER

Parents are welcome to join our 'POP' group for a time of prayer every Thursday morning from 9am. All are welcome to come and go as your morning allows, and of course Preschoolers are welcome. Watch our facebook groups: BHCS PFA for updates on venue for 2020.

If you have any questions or specific prayer requests, please email Amanda on pfa@bhcs.vic.edu.au

FRIDAY MORNING COFFEE

A casual coffee morning is a great way to catch up and get to know other parents. Every Friday, after drop-off time, in the Cafe.

Absentees

Families are reminded to contact the school if a child is going to be absent. As a school, we are legally required to make note of a student’s absence and the reason for their absence. You can inform the school of your child’s absence:

Submitting an absence via FlexiBuzz
Leaving a voicemail message by dialing 299 at any time during the welcome message or after hours message
Contacting Reception directly
Emailing the Office on office@bhcs.vic.edu.au
In the instance where contacting your child's homeroom teacher, please ensure you cc the office

In cases where the School does not appear to have received advice, families will be contacted to inquire about the child’s whereabouts.

Future Student Registrations

If you have a child who is due to commence in the following years we would recommend that you speak to the Registrar in regards to placing an application if you have not already done so:

Kinder: Entry for 2021 and 2022 (offers for 2021 will be made in August)
Prep: Entry for 2021 (Very Urgent) and 2022 (Applications will close December, 31 2020)
Year 7: Entry for 2022 (Applications will close April 30 2020)

Entry for 2023 (Applications will close April, 30 2021)

Upcoming School Events

KINDER & JUNIOR - FAMILY PICNIC