Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers

The week before last was the first full week back at school for our senior students. On that Friday we celebrated Book Week. As one of our 3 /4 teachers commented after school, it was a wonderful way to finish the first week back. Despite howling gale force winds, being stuck inside all day and the whole school meeting online, there was a sense of commerady and fun across the school. Students from each class paraded past class laptop cameras and shared what/who they were dressed as for the day. Levels participated in activities related to some of the shortlisted books for awards. There was weaving, role playing and friendship bracelets being made. It was great to see everyone so relaxed and having fun (students and staff!). Thank you to all the parents who helped the students organise costumes. I know this can be a time consuming, challenging task but I can tell you it was worth it to see their happy faces!

We hope next year we are able to share this event with parents and friends face to face!

Over the past few and coming weeks the Grade 6 students will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at the parish church in small groups. This event has been postponed since early second term. Although the students have missed receiving the sacrament in a large group the Masses have been lovely, intimate and reverent celebrations. Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, the children receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel (right judgement), fortitude (courage), knowledge, piety (reverence), and wonder/awe of the Lord and we pray that these gifts will be utilised and developed as they continue to grow and face new challenges in the years ahead. Thanks to the parents, parish and school staff who helped prepare the students for this event. The First Holy Communion Mass will be held on Saturday December 4 at 6.30pm.

We have welcomed the easing of many restrictions as of last week. We were able to have a face-to- face whole school assembly yesterday which was terrific. It is still mandatory for all adults and Grades 3-6 students to wear face masks indoors and I ask parents for assistance in ensuring their children in these grades bring a mask to school. For Prep- 2 students face masks are optional but recommended. Density quotients, enhanced hygiene and cleaning continue.  

For your information please note the following information on Close Contacts:

COVID-19 close contacts

There is a high chance that people who have been close to someone with COVID-19 will get the virus and spread it to other people.

Close contacts can be:

• someone who has had face-to-face contact or spent time in a closed space with someone who has COVID-19 while they were infectious.
• someone who has been in an outbreak or other setting where there is a higher risk of transmission of COVID-19.

The Victorian Chief Health Officer or delegate may also identify someone as a primary close contact based on knowledge of a case or outbreak.

Close contact with someone can happen in many ways, such as:

• living in the same household or similar setting (for example, a boarding school or hostel)
• being indoors together, including in a car, lift or public transport
• being at a public exposure site at a similar time
• direct contact with the body fluids or laboratory specimens of a person with COVID-19.

Close contacts are notified directly by DH regarding requirements for quarantine and testing.

Students and staff who have been identified as a primary close contact (PCC) are not able to attend the school until their isolation period, as advised by DH, has concluded.

If the student is attending school and DH advises that they are a PCC, they must be sent home. The school is not required to close.

Joanne Coldebella

Acting Principal