Principal's Report
Welcome to Term 4
Welcome back to Term 4. I trust that you have enjoyed your break over the last couple of weeks and have found some opportunity to relax and enjoy some sunshine.
We now have a clearer understanding of the proposed roadmap to return to onsite learning for all students over the coming weeks. VCE/VCAL and Year 7 students will recommence on-site learning next week and students in Years 8 -10 are expected to resume in a couple of weeks.
Roadmap to return to onsite learning in Term 4
Week 2 - October 12
- Year 11 and 12 students and Year 10 students enrolled in a VCE or VCAL program return to full-time on-site schooling.
- Year 7 students return to full-time on-site schooling.
- Remote and flexible learning continues for all students in Years 8 to 10, other than for children of permitted workers and vulnerable students (including St Mary’s students who choose to learn onsite).
Week 4 - October 26
- Return of students in Years 8 to 10.
- Oct 29 - last official day for Year 12
Returning to Onsite Learning
While many students have been eagerly awaiting the return to onsite learning and the opportunity to reconnect with their teachers and friends face to face once again, there is understandably some who will feel some trepidation and uncertainty after learning remotely for so long. Dr Michael Carr-Gregg provides advice to parents in regards to discussion of the concerns about the transition back to school with your young people: https://schooltv.me/wellbeing_...
Student Attendance
All students are expected to attend onsite once their year level has returned to onsite learning. Exceptions may exist for medically vulnerable students. It is recommended that parents/carers of students with complex medical needs seek advice from the student’s medical practitioner to support decision making about whether onsite education is suitable and work with the relevant Year Level Leaders at the College in regards to a plan. Once a year level cohort has returned to onsite learning, the current online remote learning program (Continuing Learning Plan) will cease for that year level
COVID-Safe Practices
Resources will be provided to students over the coming days and weeks to remind them of the expectations regarding behaviours that will assist in minimising the risk of COVIID-19 infection. The key messages that will continue to be emphasised are
- Stay home if unwell.
- Get tested immediately if any of the following symptoms appear: fever above 37.5 degrees Celsius, night sweats, chills, acute respiratory infection (such as cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), loss of smell, and/or loss of taste.
- Maintain good hand and cough hygiene.
- Do not share food or drink and use a water bottle (drink fountains are not allowed to be used).
- Do not share other utensils.
- Maintain social distancing as much as possible.
- Wear a fitted mask at all times.
- Minimise time at lockers by carrying essentials in a small bag during the day.
- Parents/guardians must remain in cars during drop-off and pick-up times. Only adults who have an essential role will be permitted to enter College premises.
The Deputy Chief Health Officer has advised that daily temperature testing is not required while the levels of community transmission is so low, so we will be discontinuing this practice.
General Achievement Test (GAT)
On Wednesday, all students studying a Unit 3/4 subject were required to sit the General Achievement Test. This is a huge undertaking even in a non COVID-19 year, but the extra health precautions required this year added an additional layer of complexity. Thanks to the Senior School leadership team whose thorough planning made for such a smooth process and to our Senior students who continue to apply themselves so diligently to their studies this year. Thank you also to the many non-teaching staff who assisted in supervision this year amongst a small band of our regular invigilators.
Darren Atkinson
Principal