Welcome to Term 3

Great to see everyone back at school. The beginning of the term always brings a sense of optimism and hope with the teachers and children. I hope that everyone had an enjoyable break from the routine of school and that children were able to relax and recharge. I am aware that some of our families have faced some recent trauma and our thoughts and prayers are with them. 

This term our school is focussing on science culminating in Science Week from 22nd -26th August. Stay tuned for more details. 

Many thanks to our whole community who gave so generously last term to our community appeal. These goods were sent to Emma House, Food Share and Bethany Community Support.  

Joanna Doman, from Emma House wrote “Your donation not only assists the women and children who access this service, but the gesture itself validates our work, and we thank you for that also.”

Primary Performers

Congratulations to all of the St Joseph’s Primary Performers who participated in Annie at the end of last term. A group of our students went along to watch and support their friends. On their return I asked how they enjoyed it and a rating out of 5 stars.  “Infinity!” Was one response.  Well done to everyone involved. 

Pictured below: Roisin Hansford, Charlie Bellman, Amelia Austin, Finn Davis, Cara Carlin, Aila Kamath, Maya Furphy, Paddy Quinn, Sophia Furphy, Ella Carlin and Lucinda Bishop.

Cyber Safety Parent and Child Night

Years 4, 5 & 6, 7pm Tuesday 19th July

The Warrnambool police are working with our Year 4, 5 and 6 students on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th of July regarding cyber safety. A part of this program is a parent and child session next Tuesday evening at 7pm. I cannot stress enough how important it is that children and parents hear and discuss the same information. To this end I urge all families to attend this important evening. 

Circuit Breaker Long Weekend

Please find correspondence in this newsletter titled Communication from DOBCEL from Tom Sexton, Executive Director of Catholic Education Ballarat outlining the long weekend on Friday 12th and Monday 15th August. Please note that this weekend falls after our school closure day Monday 8th August giving families two long weekends in a row.   

Retirement of Father Laurie O’Toole

On behalf of our school community we wish Fr Laurie O’Toole well for his retirement and thank him for his contribution to our community over such a long career. 

With Fr Laurie’s retirement the OLHC community has joined the Star of the Sea, South West Coast Parish.  

Father George Hogarty joins Fr John Corrigan and Fr John Fitzgerald temporarily in leading our parish community. 

Updated Covid Protocols

Rapid Antigen Testing 

There is no longer compulsion for twice weekly testing. 

Staff and students must be tested with a RAT kit when symptomatic or when testing daily as a close contact over the 7 day quarantine period.  

RAT kits are available at the school office and can be sent home in your child’s school bag on request. 

We expect more kits to be delivered in the coming weeks. 

Vaccination Mandate

The new COVID regulations have lifted the mandate for all employees and volunteers to be vaccinated. This means there will be no requirement for adults entering the school to declare their vaccination status.

Transport 

Parents/carers who are positive cases are able to leave isolation if other arrangements cannot be made to transport someone they live with to and/or from school. 

The person leaving self-isolation must travel directly to and from the location, making no stops, unless there is an emergency or as required by law. 

They must remain in the vehicle at all times, unless it is reasonably necessary to leave the vehicle to deliver the person to and from school. They must wear a face covering at all times while transporting and delivering the child.

Reporting a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 

If staff or 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 their school by phone, email or by choosing the Covid option on PAM; 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. 

Students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19, have completed their 7-day isolation period and are subsequently asymptomatic do not need to undertake surveillance testing for eight weeks. Staff must report a positive result to their school on the day they received a positive test result.

Close Contacts

A close contact (a person who has spent more than four hours with someone who has COVID 19 inside a house, accommodation or care facility) is no longer required to quarantine, as long as they follow the additional safety measures:

• Notify the school if returning within the 7 day period.
• Undertake RAT testing on school days within the 7 day period (unless the 12 week exemption applies)
• Wear a mask indoors if an adult or a student Yr 3-6.
• Not visit hospitals or care facilities.
• Avoid contact with people at higher risk of infection.
• If symptomatic, take a RAT or PCR test.

Masks

The wearing of masks continues to be a recommended practice which will still be required in certain circumstances including bus travel or a period of high levels of prolonged transmission.

Any staff of students who are in Year 3 and above who are identified as household contacts must wear a mask indoors unless they have a valid exemption.   

Regards
Matthew O'Brien, Principal