Engagement and Wellbeing
Continuing to Keep Our Community Safe
As we enter a new COVID19-normal term, we thought it would be important to remind everyone of the safety measures that are in place to support the health and wellbeing of all of our students and staff while onsite at both campuses.
As was explained in previous newsletters, we will be continuing with the following strategies this term:
- Providing updates relating to COVID19 throughout our newsletter and Compass messaging portal.
- School grounds will remain limited to essential school operations staff and students only, with those outside of this category required to call the school office at our Buninyong campus or school phone at our Scotsburn campus for any inquiries. Visitors will be managed in a way that ensures the safety of our students and staff.
- Unwell students and staff are to remain home and are advised to seek medical advice relating to their illness. We will continue to send home unwell students for the most minor symptoms and again reiterate the importance of everyone continuing to do the right thing by not coming onsite if unwell.
- Access to sanitiser for all students and staff is available and will be applied upon entry to classrooms, before and after eating, after toileting, before heading out and returning from breaks. Additional sanitiser is also available for use at each of our playgrounds.
- Visual displays on hygiene are present in all classrooms and staff will be constantly educating students about appropriate safety precautions to keep everyone safe.
- Additional cleaning throughout the school day by onsite cleaners will remain in effect, focussing on high-contact touch points around the school.
- Continuing the strategic and limited use of shared equipment will also remain in place.
- Ensuring students are using drink bottles throughout the school day and keeping our bubble taps out of action.
- Staggering the collection of students at the end of the day to ensure families are not accidentally or intentionally congregating. (See below for class dismissal times)
- Continuing broadcasts to reduce large gatherings.
- Working with bus companies to ensure appropriate physical distancing and hygiene is in place.
- If you, your child, or a family member develops symptoms of a fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of smell or taste, you should get tested at a coronavirus (COVID-19) testing facility and stay home.
If you would like health information from the Department of Health and Human Services, you can visit
Additional to the above, we have ordered more durable signage for display around both campuses. Signage will remind everyone of physical distancing guidelines, limited access to the site (particularly not coming on site if unwell) and who to contact for inquiries.
Please also note that the Victorian Chief Health Officer has confirmed that the use of face masks or coverings by adults or children is not recommended in schools at this time. As has always been the case, students who wish to wear face masks in school and in going to and from school may do so.
Again, we would like to thank everyone for the great support that has been given in helping us keep our community safe. By doing such a great job, we can stop the spread and ensure our community has the best chance of maintaining some normality through all of this.
Continuing Friday Broadcasts - 2:10pm
As mentioned above, our community broadcasts will continue for Term 3. We aim to start each broadcast at 2:10pm on Friday and encourage all of our community to join us for key messages from our staff and the sharing of learning from our students.
These broadcasts will again be run through Cisco Webex Meetings and links and login information will be sent out on the day for everyone to access.
Talking to your child about coronavirus (COVID-19)
We are aware that many families are wondering what to say to their children when they ask those tricky questions about COVID. The Department of Education and Training has developed a document in conjunction with psychologists to support families with responding to their children in a safe and reassuring manner. The resource is available at:
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/Pages/talkingtoyourchildaboutcoronavirus.aspx
We encourage all of our community to take a careful read of the information and should questions arise, take the time to support your child in understanding and reassuring them.
Railing Works
Over the break, our railing works on pathways leading down from the Administration building were completed. These railings continue to support all people with mobility issues on some of our steepest paths in the school and also ensures that foot traffic travels in an orderly manner down to the basketball court (emergency assembly point) and staff car park.
