COVID-19 Updates at Aquinas College

As our state continues to address the dangers of COVID-19 and each school is required to implement clear statewide restrictions and precautionary measures, we would like to remind you of some very important obligations you have as students of the College.

• You must not attend the College if you have any COVID-19 symptoms
• You must have with you a mask each day you attend the College
• You must wear a mask whenever required when travelling to and from school
• It is recommended to wear a mask when you are unable to socially distance
• You may be required to be tested for the virus under medical advice before returning to the College

We believe that these measures are in place to protect all members of our community and I stress to you the importance of seeking advice from any of us should you have any concerns or questions. 

Nap Rodezno Deputy Principal

Please note, this is a constantly changing situation in Victoria and we await instruction from the State Government and MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools). Refer to this page for the latest updates. 

IMPORTANT: If your child is sick, or displaying any of the COVID-19 symptoms, we ask that your child stays home and is checked by a medical practitioner before returning to school.

As directed by the Victorian Chief Health Officer, face masks are no longer mandatory in all indoor spaces in the broader community. Masks are still required in limited indoor settings, such as public transport, commercial passenger vehicles and large retail settings.

At Aquinas College, this means that face masks are no longer mandatory in all indoor spaces for staff and students.

Requirements for the use of masks are outlined below. Visitors and parents must also observe this guidance.

• Face masks are recommended, but not mandatory, for use by staff, students and visitors when physical distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained.
• Students must always carry a face mask – unless they have a lawful exemption.
• Students must wear a face mask when on public transport and school buses – unless they have a lawful exemption.

Nap Rodezno Deputy Principal

Please note, this is a constantly changing situation in Victoria and we await instruction from the State Government and MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools). Refer to this page for the latest updates. 

IMPORTANT: If your child is sick, or displaying any of the COVID-19 symptoms, we ask that your child stays home and is checked by a medical practitioner before returning to school.

Welcome back from the Snap Lockdown. The State Government has made recent announcements regarding the return to school for all students and staff and we look forward to welcoming students back to the College on Thursday 18th February.

In order to maintain safety and adhere to the regulations, the following conditions apply:

• Where possible, students should maintain social distance.
• Students must carry a mask with them at all times.
• Masks are compulsory in all classes and when inside classrooms.
• Masks must be worn when unable to socially distance or as instructed by staff, unless there is a lawful reason not to.  
• All visitors must wear masks both indoors and outdoors when unable to socially distance.
• Masks are mandatory to be worn in all public places, including public transport.
• Follow all safety rules as they are communicated by the school

We look forward to seeing the students and hope that we can resume face to face learning in a safe environment.

Nap Rodezno Deputy Principal

In accordance with the directive from the Victorian Government today, the College will be closed from Monday 15th February to Wednesday 17th February for onsite learning. We expect to resume our normal onsite learning program on Thursday 18th February.

Our Continuing Learning Plan will be effective for online learning from Monday morning and we are expecting all students to check in to each of their timetable classes and meet their teacher to receive instructions. Our teachers are well placed to provide guidance and appropriate learning tasks to be undertaken at home. 

Students will be emailed details of our Continuing Learning Plan and new students will receive assistance in helping them to become familiar with Google Meet if necessary.

I understand that this may mean uncertainty, but it is a relatively brief disruption and we are well placed to maintain continuity in the learning program. As a united community we are doing all we can to mitigate the impact of these changes on our students, and to minimise the impact of this disruption on your child’s learning program.

Thank you for your support in ensuring that students are online and prepared for their first pastoral class on Monday morning. The students have started the year with a great sense of purpose and enthusiasm and we are confident that we can maintain this momentum with our Continuing Learning Plan.

Continuing Learning Plan - Daily Plan for Students

Children of Essential Workers and Vulnerable Students

For those families of essential workers and vulnerable students, supervision will be provided onsite. The request for this supervision must be approved by the College Principal and requests emailed to registrar@aquinas.vic.edu.au. 

Requests will be monitored over the weekend and an email sent to approve the attendance of the student. The normal CovidSafe guidelines apply and students should not attend if showing COVID like symptoms and must wear a mask. Onsite supervision will be strictly from 8.30am - 3.45pm. We ask that these times are adhered to and that no child turn up without prior permission.

Thank you for your continued support.

Darren Atkinson
Principal

Celebrate Excellence @ Aquinas (Mon 15th Feb)

Unfortunately we will need to postpone this event and have put it on our calendar for March 1 with our College Mass and Assembly on March 2.

Please note, this is a constantly changing situation in Victoria and we await instruction from the State Government and MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools). Refer to this page for the latest updates. 

Please note, this is a constantly changing situation in Victoria and we await instruction from the State Government and MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools). Refer to this page for the latest updates. 

Mask requirements:

Due to the events in Victoria announced late on Wednesday evening (3/2/21) in relation to COVID-19, these new guidelines for schools apply immediately in accordance with the Victorian Government:

• All students must wear a fitted face mask when indoors at the College, unless there is a lawful reason not to.
• School staff are not required to wear face masks while teaching or caring, but those who wish to do so, can.  
• Staff must wear face masks in indoor areas of the College when not teaching or caring. 
• All visitors must wear masks when indoors. 

Year 9 Information Night changes:

This information night due to be held today (4th Feb) will no longer be held onsite at the College.

The information night will now be held virtually via Google Meet at 7.30pm.

Parents will receive an email from their child's Homeroom Teacher this afternoon with a link to the Google Meet. Please ensure you have Google available and you have received this link before 7.30pm tonight. If you have not received the link information, please email your child's Homeroom Teacher before 7.30pm.

Senior Years (10-12) Information Night:

This information night is due to be held on Monday 8th February at 7.30pm.

This event will now be held virtually and further details will be sent out via email before Monday.