e-News

Term 1 - Week 3


Victorian Chief Health Officer message to schools and their communities

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome back the Victorian school community in 2021.  

Following an incredible effort by students, staff, teachers, parents and carers last year, Victorian schools are well placed to safely commence the new school year. 

Schools will return to a largely normal program of activities, including welcoming parents and other vital members of the school community back into their grounds.

Throughout the pandemic, Victorian schools have rapidly adapted and successfully implemented measures to reduce the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission in school environments. By embedding COVIDSafe principles in all its operations and reinforcing good behaviours throughout 2020, schools have created safe spaces, and are in a strong position to quickly respond to any coronavirus (COVID-19) risks that may emerge.

Given the current very low risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission in the community, continued high rates of testing, wastewater monitoring, and continued observance of health and safety measures in schools; those with medical vulnerabilities or their carers can feel reassured that they can safely return to working and learning on site.

While we have seen outbreaks emerge over the summer break, we have also witnessed our capacity to respond quickly to limit the impact of these outbreaks. Should community cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) increase again, I am confident that with COVIDSafe plans in place, alongside our ability to quickly identify and respond to cases – schools remain safe places for all staff and students. I also continue to be reassured by evidence that children are less impacted by the virus and are less likely to develop severe illness.

It is crucial, however, for everyone to remain vigilant – to stay home when unwell, get tested, perform regular hand hygiene, wear a mask when required and maintain physical distancing from others when practical. Schools should consider how they can continue to pursue strategies that contribute to reduced transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Schools and parents continue to have an important role to promote and ensure testing when a child or staff member has any symptoms, no matter how mild, and then stay home. Getting tested and staying home until results are known, remains critical to limiting community transmission.

Adj Clin Prof Brett Sutton
Victorian Chief Health Officer



From the Art Room

Well you may have noticed it is a bit barer in the front of the school.  Our weaving yarn bombing has been taken down.  I will now separate the circle weavings and return them to their makers.  It was a lot of fun doing this project and there are ideas for more ‘fence art’ for later in the year.

The Stitch Don’t Ditch competition is on at the moment.  It is about turning pre-loved clothing into fashion.  There is a primary school section which is turning pre-loved clothing into toys.  We would like to start the ball rolling for next year so have a request for any pre-loved clothing that cannot be reused.  So this is the clothing with holes, etc.  No underwear, of course and only fabrics that can be easily sewn so not too thick.  Please drop this off outside the art room (for students) or at the office (parents).  Thanking you in anticipation.

Helen Johnson

Art Teacher



Annual Privacy Reminder for our school community

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and the Schools’ Privacy Collection Notice.

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn.

We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use Microsoft 365/Google safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Microsoft 365/Google, please contact the school.

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. This information is also available in ten community languages:

  • Amharic
  • Arabic
  • Dari
  • Gujarati
  • Mandarin
  • Somali
  • Sudanese
  • Turkish
  • Urdu
  • Vietnamese





CSEF applications close on 28th June 2024

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides payments for eligible students to attend activities like:

  • school camps or trips
  • swimming and school-organised sports programs
  • outdoor education programs
  • excursions and incursions.

Click here for 2024 Application Form 

Financial Assistance - Information for Parents
Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fe Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s background and their outcomes.

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)

School camps provide children with inspiring experiences in the great outdoors. Excursions encourage a deeper understanding of how the world works while sports teach teamwork, discipline and leadership.  All are a part of a healthy curriculum.

CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.


If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

The annual CSEF amount per student is:

  • $150 for primary school students
  • $250 for secondary school students

How to Apply

New applicants should contact the school office to   obtain a CSEF application form or download from the website below.

If you applied for CSEF at your child's school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year unless there has been a change in your family circumstances. 

You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:

  • new student enrolments; your child has started or changed schools this year.
  • changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing this year.

Check with the school office if you are unsure.

More information

For more informtion about CSEF click here.

 

 

 



Protecting against mosquito-borne diseases

Warm and wet weather can result in greater numbers of mosquitoes and increased risk of illnesses from mosquito bites. While the overall risk is low, some mosquitoes carry diseases that make people sick.

The best protection against mosquito-borne illness is to avoid mosquito bites.

Families can protect against mosquito bites by: 

  • covering up as much as possible with long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing  
  • applying insect repellent that contains picaridin or DEET on exposed skin when leaving home 
  • limiting outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are active.

Families with any health concerns should see their doctor or phone NURSE-ON-CALL: 1300 606 024 (available 24 hours).

Free Japanese encephalitis vaccines

Japanese encephalitis virus is spread to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes and can cause a rare but potentially serious infection of the brain.

Free Japanese encephalitis vaccines are available to protect Victorians at higher risk of the virus. 

The Victorian Department of Health encourages eligible people who live or work in high-risk local government areas to get vaccinated.

For more information, including what is considered a high-risk area and eligibility for a free vaccine, refer to the Department of Health’s Japanese encephalitis webpage.

 

Find out more

For more information on protecting against mosquito-borne diseases, families can refer to the following Better Health Channel pages:


 



Every Day Counts

Every Day Counts!  Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child's education.  Students learn new things at school every day - missing school puts them behind.  School is better when your child is there.

We are a Happy Families School!

Our school is subscribed to the Happy Families School Membership! Owned and run by Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s leading parenting experts, the membership offers a wealth of parenting education and resources.

We will regularly share resources available through our membership with you, including Insight Articles and Webinars. You can also access your resources at any time using the below URL (unique to our school) and password.

URL & PASSWORD

https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/wps

PASSWORD: happywps

We recommend bookmarking this link. You should only need to put the password in once and the site will remember you.

The latest Insights articles are listed below:

Term 3 2024
The quest for independence and identity
Gettting along with siblings
Parenting with Influence, Not Control
The Power of Perspective
Stop, look and listen to your kids
Parenting on the same page

Term 2 2024
The best way to say 'No!' to your kids
Making Family Life Fun
Teaching children that mistakes are okay
Every Day Counts
Technology Giants and Our Kids
Family Goal Setting
Managing fatigue as a parent
The Power of Habit

View webinars     View Articles

INSIGHTS ARTICLES 

A new Insights article is released weekly during the term and we will include these with the school newsletter. Insights articles are written by Dr Justin Coulson and other leading experts and provide parenting education and support for a wide variety of traditional and contemporary parenting challenges. You can also access 300+ previous Insights articles on our school’s URL.

Each week Justin will be answering a question from the school community.  click here to watch video.

PARENT WEBINARS

You have access to 4 live webinars a year (one per term). We will announce upcoming webinar details in the Insights articles. You’ll have access to the recording via our school’s URL but as the webinars are live, we recommend you watch them in real time so that you can ask Dr Justin and / or the guest presenter any questions you may have.

We hope you enjoy the Insights and webinars!























Student Absence Form

If your child is going to be absent - please click here to submit an absence form.  Thank you