Newsletter Thursday 19^th May 2022

Good afternoon Parents/carers and guardians,

We have certainly seen and felt the chilly mornings this past week and on the bright side, I continue to marvel at the wonderful things Autumn gives us as the leaves fall from the trees and share the delicious colours of this season. As funny as it sounds at this time of the year, we have just renewed our Sun Smart membership and we will soon see new signs in our carpark. The suns UV rays can never be underestimated and it will be in August of this year that once again we will become vigilant in monitoring these things.

It is well into the second term of my Acting Principal role and as I reflect on the past few months, I can’t help to feel so privileged as I walk around the school and talk to the students. I am so pleased at the many students that greet me as I move around and ask how I am and to wish me a good day. The absolute joy as I do morning duty with Mr Beswick on The Avenue as the children hop out of the cars with big smiles and hi-fives, ready to greet the day. It is the simple things that make this job easier for me. There are many challenges I have faced and will continue to do so, however the smiles on the faces of those we care about the most and why we got into the job, is why we do it.

Congratulations to all of the students at both St Clare’s and St Patrick’s who made their First Eucharist in the past 2 weeks. Tomorrow morning, the grade 4s (as well as some students from grade 5) will be gathering for a whole year level mass to conclude the celebrations in receiving this Holy Sacrament. Thanks to the grade 4 teachers and Noleen Chalmers, our Religious Education Leader, for preparing the children so well.

Thanks to those parents who have already completed the Insight SRC survey either online or the paper version. Taking the time to do this means that the school gets the appropriate and necessary feedback to help us improve the way we operate at St Patrick’s. All families chosen to complete this survey has been done so randomly. If you were a family chosen to complete a survey, please do so by the end of this week. Thank you.

Thanks also to the parents who have responded to the 3 words task that we are using to help create our new Mission and Vision Statement. I have been delighted by the many wonderful responses coming through.

Take care and God Bless

Meg

HELP NEEDED- Can you help a family at St Patrick’s

I have a family who have reached out needing assistance to get their 2 children dropped home each afternoon after school. The students are in grade 3 and grade 6. They live in Jacaranda Way, Pakenham which is only a 4 minute drive from the school. If you are able to help, please contact the school office on 5943 9000 or email office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au

Changes to Rapid Antigen Test Surveillance Program

From Monday 23 May 2022, there will no longer be a recommendation for students to undertake twice weekly RATs on school days.

However, RATs will continue to be distributed to families as they have been throughout this school year for the remainder of this Term.

Please see below for further information.

Sick Students

This past week we have noticed a big increase in the volume of students we are sending home that are unwell. I ask all parents to NOT send their child/ren to school if they are sick with a runny nose, sore throat or a cough. Apart from these being Covid symptons, we are finding that parents are dropping off children and then having to collect them from school within the hour. The last 2 years in lockdown will see their immune systems not likely to cope with the common cold as it once did. Please be considerate when making these decisions.

The Avenue Exit

I have spoken to both the Cardinia Council and the Police about the irresponsible and dangerous driving behaviours I am seeing from parents as they exit THE AVENUE car park. In the next week, parents will see a new and very clear NO RIGHT TURN sign.  I ask all parents/carers and guardians to please do the right thing and obey the sign and turn left in the mornings and afternoons. I will continue to be patrolling our busiest times in the car park to ensure parents are doing the right thing. I thank you for your co operation in this matter.

Staff Updates

As mentioned last week, I am still currently in the process of engaging a teacher for grade 4GD for the remainder of the year. You will be aware that staff shortages are very common at this time, but particularly so in the teaching industry. In the meanwhile, Mrs Angharad Doran and Miss Katherine Mirabella will continue in the role.

Parents for school board

I am currently looking for new members to be part of the school board. We meet twice a term and during the colder months, the meetings are done online so we do not need to come out on the cold and wet nights. I would be very keen to involve new families to the school on the board. In terms of ‘workload’, there is not much to be done as the board is separate from the P and F committee. The board acts as an advisory service to myself on school initiatives. If you are interested, please contact the school office at 5943 9000 or email office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au

St Francis Xavier year 7 enrolments 2023-TALK AND TOUR WITH HEAD OF CAMPUS

Any parents wishing to begin the process of enrolling their child/ren for Year 7 at St Francis Xavier next year, may be interested in one of their Head of Campus Talk and Tour dates. Families can register on their website. See below for details.

St Francis Xavier will also be holding specific tours (with translators for Chin speakers and people from South Sudanese languages) for our community and dates will be sent to you when they are confirmed.

Head of Campus Talk & Tour Dates 9.30 to 11.00am

21 June, 26 July, 6 September, 11 October, 8 November.

Covid Update

VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS PERFORMING WORK AT A SCHOOL

Any visitor or volunteer performing work at a school must be fully vaccinated (boosted) (with three (3) doses) with an approved COVID-19 vaccine or have a valid exception to attend on-site for the purpose of working.

• Visitors or volunteers working on school sites include, but are not limited to:
• Parent and Friends Committee members
• School Advisory Committee members
• Volunteers performing volunteer work at the school (for example, parent helpers and those participating in a school working bee outside of school time)
• Volunteers attending school camps or excursions
• Schools must collect, record and hold vaccination information for all workers, including visitors or volunteers performing work at a school whether inside or outside

This term, the covid mask mandate for teachers and students in years 3-6 has been scrapped. However if you would still prefer your child to wear a mask whilst in the classroom, that is not a problem. The school still has plenty of masks on hand. The latest Covid information is listed below so please read carefully.

WATCH FOR SYMPTOMS

If your child is unwell, even with mild COVID-19 symptoms, you must keep your child at home until their symptoms resolve and get your child tested with a PCR test (nose and throat swab) or complete a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT).

If symptoms continue, your child should stay home and take another RAT or PCR test in 24 hours. If that test is also negative, your child may return to school if another diagnosis is confirmed (such as an underlying health condition or medication).

Checklist for COVID contacts

Checklist for COVID contacts

VACCINATIONS 

All students and their families are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.  Children aged 5 to 11 can now get vaccinated. Parents, guardians and carers are encouraged to book their child in for a vaccination at the first available opportunity.

Changes to Rapid Antigen Test Surveillance Program

From Monday 23 May 2022, there will no longer be a recommendation for students to undertake twice weekly RATs on school days.

However, RATs will continue to be distributed to families as they have been throughout this school year for the remainder of this Term.

The ongoing supply of RATs to families in our school will ensure that parents, guardians and carers will have them should they need them if their child(ren) is a household or household-like contact or if their child(ren) has COVID-19 symptoms.

Students who are identified as household or household-like contacts will continue to be required to adhere to additional safety measures, including wearing a face mask when outside of the home and receiving a negative result using a RAT on at least five (5) days out of the seven (7) day close contact period, to attend school.

Families must continue to notify the Department of Health and the school if their child(ren) returns a positive RAT result. Additionally, you should inform the school if any of your children are household or household-like contacts.

HOUSEHOLD AND HOUSEHOLD-LIKE CONTACTS

Household and household-like contacts are no longer required to quarantine but are required to undertake the following additional safety measures in the seven (7) days that would have been their quarantine period: 

• Notify the school if returning during their seven (7)-day period;
• Undertake daily rapid antigen testing five (5) times within the seven (7) days;
• Wear a face mask indoors (if aged eight (8) and above) unless a lawful exemption applies; and are not permitted to visit hospitals or care facilities unless an exemption applies.
• Household and household-like contacts are still permitted to participate in school activities, including camps and excursions, as long as they wear a mask when indoors (if aged eight (8) and above or have a valid exception) and complete five (5) rapid antigen tests within the seven (7)-day period that would have been their quarantine period.
• A household or household-like contact attending an off-site activity during this period must notify the school they are attending under these requirements.
• If a student, parent, guardian or carer cannot comply with the additional safety measures at any time, they must quarantine immediately for the remainder of their seven (7)-day household contact period to get tested on Day one (1) (or as soon as possible) and on Day six (6) of their household contact period and not attend school until a negative Day six (6) test result is received.

COVID-19 POSITIVE CASES

If your child has no symptoms and there is a positive COVID-19 case in their household, class, year level or other grouping, your child can continue to attend school in line with Victorian Department of Health advice.

Staff and students who receive a positive RAT result must register it on the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form available on the Coronavirus Victoria website https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/report as soon as possible.

Staff and students who receive a positive RAT or PCR test result must tell their school as soon as possible, and follow Victorian Department of Health advice.

Students who test positive to COVID-19 must isolate for seven (7) days and not attend school during that period.

Students who have recovered from COVID-19, are not required to get tested or isolate if they are re-exposed to a positive COVID-19 case within 12 weeks of ending their isolation period. If more than 12 weeks have passed since their isolation period concluded, students must follow the relevant testing and isolation advice depending on the type of contact they are.

Schools will regularly communicate to parents, guardians and carers about the presence and impact of COVID-19 in their school community. Parents, guardians and carers should expect to be provided with details of any impacted grade, year level or other grouping.

VENTILATION

The Victorian Government has provided air purifiers and new filters for all schools. Fresh air is the most effective form of ventilation to minimise the risk of transmission.

Schools are required to increase fresh air flow into indoor spaces (including shared spaces, staff areas and thoroughfares) whenever possible.

Using outdoor spaces will continue to be encouraged, where practicable.

FACE MASKS

Staff and students are no longer required to wear a face mask indoors or outdoors at school.

Everyone aged eight (8) years or over must wear a face mask when travelling to and from school, on public transport, taxis or ride share vehicles, unless a lawful exemption applies. This includes when travelling to and from activities, school camps and excursions on school buses or via public transport.

Visitors to primary schools are no longer required to wear a face mask indoors or outdoors at school.

Any students or staff members who wish to wear a face mask may do so, including those who are medically at-risk.

ACTIVITIES

COVID-19 will continue to be considered in all activity risk assessments. Guidance will be provided to schools on applying appropriate safeguards across a range of activities, including school camps and excursions.

Parents, guardians and carers will be made aware of the risk of exposure and will need to provide their permission for their child’s participation in extra-curricular, out of school hours or off-site activities.

VISITORS

Visitors on school sites should be kept to a minimum to support essential school activities or student needs.

Visitors will be required to comply with COVIDSafe measures, including physical distancing requirements and practise respiratory etiquette and good hand hygiene.

The use of Service Victoria QR codes for electronic record-keeping is no longer required in school settings.

Parents, guardians, carers and other adult visitors are no longer required to show evidence of two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine if not performing work or volunteering at the school. 4 April 2022

VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS PERFORMING WORK AT A SCHOOL

Any visitor or volunteer performing work at a school must be fully vaccinated (boosted) (with three (3) doses) with an approved COVID-19 vaccine or have a valid exception to attend on-site for the purpose of working.

Visitors or volunteers working on school sites include, but are not limited to:

• Parent and Friends Committee members
• School Advisory Committee members
• Volunteers performing volunteer work at the school (for example, parent helpers and those participating in a school working bee outside of school time)
• Volunteers attending school camps or excursions
• Schools must collect, record and hold vaccination information for all workers, including visitors or volunteers performing work at a school whether inside or outside

KEEPING SCHOOLS OPEN 

Parents, guardians and carers are asked to respect the rules at their child’s school to help keep the community safe.

Schools will do everything they can to maintain continuity of face-to-face learning including the increased use of casual staff.

Schools will continue to make localised staffing decisions to ensure appropriate supervision can be maintained.

Schools will not be able to guarantee particular staff for any cohort and students may not have their regular teacher for a class.

LEARNING FROM HOME

We will continue to monitor the situation and where face-to-face learning is not possible, learning from home options will be supported for short periods.

Students who are required to isolate or quarantine will be provided with learning materials to support their continued learning. Schools are not expected to provide a full remote learning program in these circumstances.