Principal's Report
Welcome Back
Welcome back to Term 3. I trust that the break provided an opportunity to recharge after a busy end to Term 2 and, from the footage of congestion in our airports, it is clear that many took the opportunity to catch up on long-awaited travel to see family and friends. We finished the first semester with a flurry of activity with a wide range of co-curricular and extracurricular programs and I want to offer my thanks to the coordinators of these programs and the many staff who contributed to the success of this week.
Covid-19 Updates
As we enter the colder winter months we can see that the number of COVID-19 infections is increasing and we are advised to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions to help slow the spread of the virus.
RATs
RATs continue to be made available at the College, however there are changes to the mode of distribution:
- RATs will no longer be distributed to students via homeroom or mentor. Instead, students are encouraged to collect RATs from student reception as they are required and take them home to be administered under parent/guardian supervision. Parents/guardians can request RATs be provided by contacting student reception.
- It is recommended that rapid antigen tests are used by students and staff when symptomatic.
- Household contacts are required to test negative using a rapid antigen test on at least 5 out of 7 if they are attending or working at a school onsite.
- If staff students receive a positive test result at any time, they must report this through the Department of Health system (Rapid antigen tests | Coronavirus Victoria) or via the coronavirus hotline at 1800 675 398.
- Students (or their parents) must also report a positive result to the College by phone or written notification (deputyprincipal@aquinas.vic.edu.au); this is so the school can support them, record that they will be absent while in 7-day isolation, and let the rest of the school community know there has been a positive case onsite and that they should monitor for symptoms.
Masks
Current advice from the Victorian Government on the wearing of face masks is available here: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks. It states:
- Wearing a face mask can help protect you and those around you. Face masks stop droplets spreading when you talk, cough, sneeze and laugh, which lowers your chance of spreading or catching the virus. This information is especially important for those who are medically at risk.
- The advice also strongly recommends the wearing of face masks in indoor settings (noting that exceptions to the recommendation apply to teaching circumstances when clear enunciation or visibility of the mouth is essential).
- Household contacts attending school who are over 8 years of age are required to wear face masks indoors unless they have a valid exception.
- Everyone including students aged 8 years and above must wear a face mask when travelling on public transport, taxis or rideshare vehicles.
- Masks are available at student reception.
The most current advice is posted on our website: https://www.aquinas.vic.edu.au/latest-covid-19-update and will also email important updates to parents/guardians and, as appropriate, to students.
School Advisory Council Seminar
Our School Advisory Council will gather for our annual seminar next week and this year we will review the College masterplan under the direction of Mr Matt Dwyer, Director of Y2 Architecture. Given the disruption caused by COVID-19 and its impact on our community, it is timely that we reassess both our priorities and our capacity in terms of our next major capital development. The School Advisory Council is also taking a lead role in evaluating communication at the College as identified as a priority in our School Improvement Plan. The first step will be surveying our parents/guardians regarding the effectiveness of the current forms of communication that are employed at the College. Please look out for this survey over coming weeks and take the opportunity to provide feedback so that we can continue to improve. There will be further reminders closer to the date.
Commonwealth Games
Our best wishes to Anthony Jordan (Year 11) who has been selected in the Australian Team for the Commonwealth Games, to be held in Birmingham, UK. Anthony will be competing on August 2nd in the T45-T47 100m event.
Darren Atkinson
Principal