PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,
Great to be back at school and to be able to see all of the children’s and teachers’ smiles. I hope that everyone had a relaxing break and enjoyed the Easter holidays.
Yesterday Eve McGrath and Blair Lyons (student leaders) laid a wreath on our behalf during the ANZAC Day Dawn Service. In Warrnambool RSL secretary Mick Little’s address he focussed HMAS Warrnambool, a minesweeper engaged during and after WW11. Sadly four of its crew lost their lives in 1947, 2 years after the war had ended, in a mine clearing operation.
He concluded:
“This highlights the dangers faced in peacetime not just by the navy but by all members of Australia’s Defence Force. The crew would have worn a sailor’s cap with a HMAS Warrnambool telly band around it. They did not just represent the Royal Australian Navy, they also represented our town and will always be part of our community, forever. ANZAC day is a day of remembrance. We must never forget the men from the HMAS Warrnambool and we must never forget the sacrifices of all of the Australian Defence Force personnel make to keep our nation safe, whether in times of war or in times of peace.
Lest We Forget
Assembly
Assembly returns this Friday at 2:40pm. Room F4 will be leading an ANZAC reflection. Student Leaders will finally be presented with their badges for 2022. All parents are welcome to attend.
Uniform
A reminder that during terms two and three children are to wear their winter uniform. Hats are still to be worn until the end of this month.
COVID Update
The Victorian Government has announced some important changes to COVIDSafe measures for schools that will apply from the start of Term 2.
Face masks
From 11:59 pm Friday 22 April, face masks, while recommended, are not required in any school setting. This means students in grades 3 to 6, staff and visitors in primary schools are no longer required to wear face masks. Any student or staff member who wishes to wear a mask may do so, including those who are medically at risk.
Screening requirements
Students who have tested positive for COVID-19, and have completed their 7-day isolation period, now do not need to undertake rapid antigen test (RAT) screening for 12 weeks after their release from isolation. This was previously 8 weeks.
Household contacts
Students who are household contacts of a COVID-19 case are not required to quarantine. They may return to school as long as they undertake rapid antigen tests (RAT) 5 times during their 7-day period. They are required to notify the school that they are a household contact.
Students aged 8 years and above who are household contacts are required to wear face masks when indoors at school unless they have a valid exemption.
If a student household contact returns a positive RAT result, they must isolate for 7 days.
Vaccination requirements for visitors to schools
Parents, carers and other adult visitors (not performing work) are no longer required to show evidence of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
RAT screening program reminder
The testing recommendations will remain the same this Term for students and staff with to test at home twice a week. RATs were sent home at the end of last term. Should you have not received yours please contact our office.
Notification of Positive Cases at School
Parents and carers will be notified of positive cases in their child/children’s classroom. This change means that most families will not receive a daily update.
Thank you for your ongoing support in keeping our school safe and open.