PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,
A Prayer for the Protection of Children in Our Community
God of Protection
Grant us the gift of listening, that we might hear the needs of our children.
Grant us the gift of right judgement, that we may be guided in our discernment and decisions.
Grant us the gift of courage, that we might always speak and act in the best interests of our children.
Grant us the gift of friendship, that we may always have the support of our community in our efforts to protect our students.
Amen.
The prayer in today's newsletter was especially written to mark the revised Child Safe Standards that have come into place across Victoria from 1st July. Whilst this prayer might spiritually centre us in the need for the protection of children, prayer and good intentions are only part of the work required by all schools, agencies, hospitals, clubs and organisations. Structures and procedures need to be present and visible for all families.
Our documentation has been updated and our staff have been made aware of these standards as have the School Advisory Council. The St Joseph's Primary School Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy is available on our school website.
Further to child safety and the safety of our community, I draw you attention to the letter from Department of Education Dr David Howes, Michelle Green, the chief executive of independent Schools Victoria and Jim Miles, the executive director of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria asking that all children 8 years and over wear masks from now until the end of winter.
We have a supply of masks at school for children and classes have been issued with boxes today. We also have packs of child sized masks available via CDFpay. I will be encouraging teachers to remind children to wear masks whilst inside.
Finally, and still focussing on child safety, this time in the virtual world, a reminder to those who have booked for the “Cyber Safety” child and parent session with members of the Victoria police this evening at 7pm in the hall (wear a jacket). This session complements the student sessions conducted this week at school. In talking to John and Brook from Victoria Police they stressed the crucial role that parents have in supporting their children in staying safe online.
Staffing
Michelle McIntyre Hand returned from leave yesterday. Michelle will work with teams of students to accelerate their maths progress and teach across the school.
Kristian Thompson also returned yesterday. Kristian has returned 3 days per week and will also work with teams of students to accelerate their maths progress and teach across the school.
We welcome Michelle and Kristian back to St Joseph’s.
Cross Country
Last Thursday Ethan Alexander, Lucy Howland, Molly McNeil and Lottie Wilkinson headed to Yarra Glen to compete in the State Cross Country titles. Congratulations to these children who made it all the way to this elite event. We are proud of them and their efforts. Well done!
Reduction of Testing and Isolation Exemption Period.
The period of time when someone is considered a recently confirmed case and therefore exempt from testing and isolation requirements has been reduced from the previous 12 weeks to 4 weeks.
This means that staff and children who are household contacts of people with COVID-19 are not exempt from the testing and isolation requirements after 4 weeks of completing isolation with COVID-19. Previously, this period was 12 weeks.
Where a student or staff member who is a household contact wishes to attend school from 4 weeks after the end of an isolation period where they had tested positive to Covid, they must:
- take 5 rapid antigen tests (RATs) over 7 days and receive negative test results, and
- wear a face mask (if over 8 years old) in indoor spaces.
Families and staff will also have to report being a household contact to their school after this 4-week period.