Principal
Mr Chris Grimmer

Remote & Flexible Learning - 'The New Normal'

Thank you once again to all those families who supported their children through our most recent lockdown. We came out of lockdown as quickly as we went in, which was a pleasant surprise! However, it reinforced the need for us all to be prepared for snap lockdowns such as the last two we have endured this term. Students of all ages need access to a reliable device and internet connection at home, as this allows them to stay connected with their peers, their teachers, and their learning. Photocopied sheets do not replicate the learning tasks that are prepared by teachers and they do not allow for feedback to be provided. I would strongly encourage all families to assess what devices they have available and look to source something to support their child throughout these lockdown periods. The device does not have to be the latest model, with second-hand devices still valuable and worth investigating. I understand the cost of these items can be very challenging for many families; however, it needs to be seen as a long-term investment in your child’s learning. During the pandemic this investment will become more and more valuable.

Essential Visitors only Onsite

Unfortunately COVID restrictions mean that only essential visitors are permitted to come onto the school site, or attend school events at this point in time.

Please ensure you only enter the front reception area, or phone the office if you need to speak to someone at the school. Any visitors need to wear a mask and sign in by QR code. Events such as Athletics Carnivals or Inter-School Sport are permitted to be held, as long as they involve students and essential staff only. We really appreciate your support and understanding regarding these current restrictions, as they at least enable our children to take part in events that would otherwise be cancelled. Hopefully the current restrictions will ease in the coming weeks and we can return to 'normal' arrangements soon.

Building Project Progress

Despite the major disruptions caused by the pandemic, planning for our upcoming building project has continued and is on schedule for works to begin in early 2022. Detailed planning is still taking place and I meet on a fortnightly basis with the project management team. The two images below are only early concept drawings, but they provide an idea of the exciting new buildings that will form a major part of the building project. The first shows the new entrance to the administration area and the second, the new science block, which will be built at the Park Street end of the college.

Important Reminder - Masks must be provided by families for Secondary Students

As directed by the Victorian Chief Health Officer, from 11.59pm Thursday 15 July:

School staff and secondary school students aged 12 or older must always wear a face mask at school, including when attending an Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) program, unless a lawful exception applies.
Children under 12 years of age and students at primary school are not required to wear face masks when at school, or when attending an OHSC program.
For communication purposes, teachers and education support staff are not required to wear face masks while teaching, but those who wish to do so, can. It is recommended that face masks be worn while teaching wherever practicable.

Face masks are mandatory for all school staff and school students aged 12 or older when travelling to and from school on public transport and when in taxis or ride share vehicles.

There are a number of lawful reasons for not wearing a face mask, including for staff and students who are unable to wear a face mask due to the nature of their disability. This includes students or staff who have a medical condition, such as a breathing problem, a serious skin condition on the face, or a mental health condition.

A face mask must cover the nose and mouth. Face shields, scarves or bandanas do not meet these requirements.

It is vital, given the local cases of COVID-19, that ALL SECONDARY STUDENTS, UNLESS EXEMPT, BRING AND WEAR MASKS TO SCHOOL EACH DAY. We have some masks still available for emergency purposes, however families will be contacted if their child is continually presenting at school without a mask (and not exempt). This is a law, not a school rule, so please ensure you help keep us all safe by reinforcing this with your secondary student. This is a difficult time for us all, so let's keep working together to create the most positive environment possible for students and staff.

Cross Border Permits

There has also been announcement to re-introduce cross border permits for border communities, the statement from the press release is below:

Residents of the cross-border community local government areas will now be required to obtain a permit to cross between Victoria and NSW from 6pm, Friday 13 August. We know the changes to border rules have been a challenge for border residents, but the permit will improve our ability to track who is entering Victoria from NSW and make it easier to rapidly get information to contact tracers and to monitor for compliance. The reasons Cross Border Community Area residents can cross the Victorian-NSW border still include:

Necessary goods and services, including medical care
Care or other compassionate reasons
Work (whether paid or voluntary, including for charitable or religious purposes)
Education (including childcare or early childhood services)
Receiving a COVID-19 vaccination
Organised/community sport and exercise connected to or organised by a club or facility.

Residents will be able to apply for a permit from Thursday afternoon at the Service Victoria website, service.vic.gov.au and via the Service Victoria app.

The link to Vic permits can be found here however it is not currently updated and may not be ready until tomorrow: https://www.service.vic.gov.au/services/border-permit/home