Good afternoon parents/carers and guardians,

We have officially reached the half way point of Term 1 and the school routines are well and truly up and running. It is a good thought to know that school life appears to be back on track for the first time in two years. Whilst we still have the threat of Covid around us, I am pleased to announce that our Covid cases have remained very low for both students and staff and I congratulate all members of our community for their efforts in keeping us all safe. I look forward to the day that we can welcome parents back inside the classrooms and I would like to take the time to say a massive thanks to all our parent community for continuing to do the right thing!

As mentioned in an earlier newsletter, there is ongoing work and maintenance going on around the school and we are getting very excited about new building and refurbishments that will be happening later this year.

Staffing update

This week I have hired a new administration officer for our school office. Her name is Alexandra Taylor and she will begin with us on Monday. Please make her feel welcome when you pop into the school office. She will begin a handover with Cindy tomorrow.

Reminders for parents

Covid Restrictions

In our continuing efforts to keep both our students and staff safe, any visitors to the school office who are not vaccinated, must remain outside and the office staff will assist you there. I ask all parents/carers and guardians to please remain respectful and patient as we continue to work through these challenging times.

Mask Mandate for grade 3-6 and teachers to remain

This week the Victorian Government announced an easing of the mask mandate as of 11.59pm Friday the 25^th February. For primary schools however, this easing of rules only applies to our students in Foundation up to grade 2. For the junior level, it is still recommended that the students wear masks but that is a personal choice. For our students and staff in grades 3-6 however, masks will still be mandated until further notice. At this stage, it is likely to remain in place until the end of term 1.

Thanks for your understanding in this matter.

School Uniform

A uniform is meant to be worn with pride. It is especially important for our leaders of the school, our grade 6s, that the correct school uniform is adhered to.

Proper black school shoes need to be worn. Black runners are NOT acceptable nor are the wrong coloured socks and parents will be contacted if this continues to happen. If your child/ren are coming to school in clothes that are not our school uniform, communication must be made with the teachers.

Early Arrival

Students are continuing to arrive well before 8.30am and being left unsupervised. This is an enormous safety issue on many levels and I am asking parents to adhere to the 8.30 timeslot. If you have to come earlier, please do not leave your child unattended!

Family Learning Conversations

The Family Learning Conversations are being held next week on Tuesday the 1^st and Wednesday the 2^nd of March. Parents are to make their booking via PAM. See instructions below. These conversations are very important as this is an opportunity for you and the teachers to catch up and gain an insight as to how the beginning of the year has begun for your child.

Covid Update

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

If there is a positive case at school…

The school will NOT be required to close as a result of the positive case attending the school.

If your child is not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, they can continue to attend school, but you should monitor for symptoms.

Students who show symptoms of COVID-19 must get tested immediately using a rapid antigen test, or a PCR test if you can’t access a rapid antigen test. Students with COVID-19 symptoms must isolate and return a negative result before returning to school.

Students should continue with twice-weekly rapid antigen testing on school days.

Students who have recovered from COVID-19 do not need to participate in surveillance testing for 30 days after testing positive.

If your child receives a positive COVID-19 result, you must:

• quarantine your child for seven days
• advise the school about the positive result
• ensure that your child stays home until their symptoms have resolved and they are well
• ensure that everyone in your household who is a close contact isolates for seven (7) days from the date your child is tested for COVID-19.

Advice and further resources about what to do if your child tests positive to COVID-19 or you are a contact, are available on the following Coronavirus Victoria web pages or you can call the 24/7 Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398:

Checklist for COVID contacts

Checklist for COVID contacts

• Checklist for COVID contacts - coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist-contacts
• Checklist for COVID cases - coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist-cases

Reporting your child’s positive test

If your child was at school during their infectious period, you need to report the positive case to office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au or please phone the school office on 5943 9000.

If your child tested positive using a rapid antigen test you must also report your child’s positive test to the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form or call centre on 1800 675 398.

General advice and support

Advice and further resources about coronavirus, including what to do if you test positive or if you have been told you are a contact, are available on the coronavirus website www.coronavirus.cgov.au or you can call the 24/7 Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.

Other resources on the Coronavirus Victoria website include:

• information on symptoms - coronavirus.vic.gov.au/symptoms-and-risks
• how to get tested - coronavirus.vic.gov.au/taking-test-covid-19

Further information for languages other than English

For school information in languages other than English, call TIS National on 131 450. 

For translated written information about COVID-19 and health advice in languages other than English, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/translated-information-about-coronavirus-covid-19

Parents, guardians, carers and/or students can also call the Department of Education and Training COVID-19 hotline on 1800 338 663 and they will help interpret. 

Please be aware that we are unable to provide any information about students, family members or staff who may test positive to COVID-19. I would ask that all in our community continue to pray for those who are unwell with COVID-19 and respect their privacy.

The health, safety and wellbeing of the school community remains our highest priority. We are committed to continuing to communicate with you as promptly as possible and supporting you and your children during these challenging times.

If you have any questions about the arrangements, please contact office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au or call 5943 9000

Meg Escalante