General Advice

As a country, state and school community we are certainly moving into unchartered territory over the next few months. Obviously the wellbeing, safety and care of all students, staff and families is driving our programs, policies and decisions. Our approach is to be measured, cautious and pro-active. As a school, we are open but focused on high levels of care in a heightened ‘Watch and Act’ state of mind.

Earlier today the Chief Health Officer confirmed that ‘pre-emptive school closures are not likely to be proportionate or effective as a public health intervention to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 at this time’, Dr Brett Sutton. "Should evidence change in relation to school closures then advice to the sector, in collaboration with AHPPC, would of course change also", said Dr Sutton.

St Joseph’s will continue to follow advice from our governing authorities; these being the Catholic Education Commission Victoria (CECV), Commonwealth and State Government, Governor Fr. John Fitzgerald and importantly with the new coronavirus pandemic Australian and Victorian Health Authorities.

• Student school non-attendance; if specific issues of health arise (high-risk category or medical advice to self-isolate due to possible virus contact or exposure) it is imperative that parents/guardians inform the school. The coronavirus, like other infectious diseases reporting, is compulsory at St. Joseph’s. Written advice is needed for schools as is the norm for any absence; please include dates and reasons for absence.
• Essential educational specialist services working with families and students will continue to occur this week. 
• Volunteer help will be cancelled as a safety precaution.
• Parents dropping off items/messages continue but access only to our front office.
• No whole school gatherings (ie, Assembly & St. Joseph’s Day Mass). All will be on hold. The Junior School Sports will go ahead without spectators to comply with State government orders. (Care with gatherings of 500 people plus).
• Foundation parent/guardian after school collection. This support can continue to occur but we will ask that there is no entry into classrooms. If you need to catch up with your child’s teacher, please organise a normal meeting time.
• School Sport Victoria cancellations include; District Swimming in Horsham, this Friday 20th March and the District Athletics event for Wednesday 25th March, 2020.
• The issue of support for students if we are closed, or a student is not at school for reasons of community and individual safety is also high in our thinking. Early planning for this situation is underway. All online/small group/individual options are possible and further advice will follow in this area. In this area, we will also work with catholic education and other schools to ensure the best educational support we can provide.

School Fair Update

A very special thank you to all in our community for the many messages of support and offers of help in relation to the Fair postponement. While very disappointing the safety of all is our overriding value.

Due to the complex nature of this event, we have decided to move from postponement to cancellation and have rescheduled for 2021. All our service teams, suppliers and ride operators are locked in now for 2021. Their support with cancellation fees has been incredible and very supportive.  Significantly all our sponsors have committed to their support for 2020; this help is both valued and very much appreciated.

The Fair Raffles will continue with all tickets due back by this Friday and will be drawn at the Junior School Sports day next Thursday 26th March, 2020.  This includes the Major Raffle, the Smiggle Raffle and the Easter Egg Raffle.

All pre-purchased ride wrist-bands have been cancelled and payment will go back to parent's CDFPay account as a credit to be used for any upcoming purchases such as canteen orders, sacrament payments, mothers day stall, pizza days, etc.

As an alternative for this year’s fair, many of the works pre-completed will be able to be accessible at various other times or for other specific events. At this stage, we have a Mother, Father and Grandparent events later in the year. We also have the Hot Cross Bun fundraiser planned leading up to Easter. We thank Narelle and Nick Brown (School Family & Browns Bakery) for this support.

In times of disruption and uncertainty, routine, empathy and care are important. The letter I shared last week has some excellent advice for families in this area. One good bit of advice towards the end of the article I thought was to keep talking, be calm and clear but update your child as you learn more. Even though we don’t have all the answers together; in trust and with a ‘can-do spirit’ we will prosper, grow, learn and be safe.