Dear Parents,

It was wonderful to see the Year 5 and Year 6 students return to school on Friday and today we welcome back the Year 3 and Year 4 students. There was a sense of calm, gratitude and joy as students were reunited with friends and teachers. 

Staggered Return to School

Day and Date	Students Onsite	Students Learning from Home
Monday, 25th October	Foundation	Years One to Year Six
Tuesday, 26th October	Foundation  Year Three and Year Four	Years One, Year Two, Year Five and Year Six
Wednesday, 27th October	Foundation Year Three and Year Four	Years One, Year Two, Year Five and Year Six
Thursday, 28th October	Year One and Two Year Five and Year Six	Foundation, Year Three, Year Four
Friday, 29th October	Year One and Two Year Five and Year Six	Foundation and Year Three and Year Four
Monday, 1 November	Report Writing Day	School Closure Day
Tuesday 2nd November	Melbourne Cup	Public Holiday
Wednesday 3 November	All Students return to onsite learning

As we manage the safe return to school of students, it is important that parents also play a role in working with the school so that our entire community is aware of the ways we can reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Families can support the school  in normalising mask-wearing, particularly now that it is mandatory indoors for those in Year 3- Year 6, and recommended for those in Prep-  Year 2. Kids ask Dr Sarah about wearing masks

The most important action school communities can take to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, is to ensure that any unwell  student remains at home and gets tested, even with the mildest of symptoms. Everyone should consider their health before coming to school  and ensure that they are free from coronavirus symptoms and have not had contact in the past 14 days with a person confirmed to have coronavirus or a person suspected to have coronavirus.

Some Important Information for Parents from the DH Website:

• If your child is unwell - with even the mildest of COVID-like symptoms - they must stay home, get tested, and remain at home until test results are received. If your child has a positive result please notify the school asap.
•  If a parent has been identified as a primary close contact it is important that the school is notified, so we can manage the risk.
• MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools)  is working with DH and DET following their advice to support schools with the management of positive cases and to mitigate risk.
• If you live in the same house as a primary close contact, you aren’t required to isolate unless:
• You have COVID-19 symptoms. If you have symptoms, get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result.

In other circumstances you may be contacted directly with advice by the Department or a public health unit, or via your primary close contact

The primary close contact in your household should quarantine away from the other members of the household as much as possible. If the primary close contact in your household has symptoms, they need to get tested as soon as possible.  From the DH website.

     Sacraments

• Confirmation - Confirmation will be celebrated by Bishop Tony Ireland  on Saturday, 13 November at two Masses 1pm and 3pm. This date has been communicated to our Year Six families - Information re numbers allowed in the church is still to be confirmed. I will let you know as soon as possible.

• First Eucharist - Monday 22 November for 4GM and Wednesday 24 November for 4C. Both Masses will begin at 6pm.  Information re numbers allowed in the church is still to be confirmed. I will let you know as soon as possible.

Return to School on 3 November

• All students are expected to be in full summer uniform. A reminder that nail varnish and jewelry are not to be worn. Hats are now required to be worn outside.
• Drop off and pick up - All school  gates will be open from 8.40am and students will go straight to their classrooms. Afternoon pick up will be staggered with students whose surname is between A-L to be dismissed at 3.20, students from M-Z at 3.30.
• While the use of drinking fountains is not permitted, outdoor taps are available for students to refill water bottles.
• Please ensure all personal belongings are labelled with your child’s name
• The canteen will be available on Wednesday and Friday and lunch packs can be ordered online. No over the counter sales at this time. Please have orders in by 9pm the night before.
• The school will continue with hand sanitizer, ventilation, eating outdoors, minimal mixing of cohorts, staggered lunch and play breaks and regular cleaning of high touch areas.
• Please refer to Cath Kight’s Newsletter item re return of Devices.
• All students will need to return library books, pencil cases, home readers and workbooks.
• Parents are asked to ‘kiss and drop’ in the morning and only come onsite if necessary. Once onsite please come directly to the Office, QR code in and show proof of vaccination. 

World Teachers Day

On Friday 29 October, school communities across Victoria will celebrate the significant contribution that teachers make in shaping the lives of children and young people, their families and communities. I invite you to help recognise the incredible dedication that the St Paul’s teachers have shown during 2021 and applaud them for their continued work in providing the best outcomes for learners – regardless of whether teaching online or in the classroom. In recognition of your child’s teacher, could parents and children email or write a card of gratitude to be shared on Wednesday 3 November, when all students will be back onsite. A short note or a drawing from you or your child will be sure to make any teacher smile. Try thinking of something the teacher might have done recently to make it more personal.

My next communication will be on Monday 8 November. Thank you again for your continued support.

Best Wishes,

Catherine