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Dear Parents,
Last week’s return to face-to-face learning was a fantastic milestone for children, families and schools. Everyone at St Paul’s has been working hard to ensure that our school is as safe as it can be for students and staff.
However, after the weekend we have had many cases reported across most year levels. Daily emails will continue to be sent.
If your child is in P-2 and is isolating at home, a pack will be delivered to you today. This will include worksheets and reading material.
Students in Yr 3-6 will be able to access home learning via google classroom.
Class Newsletters will also be going home today with an outline of the curriculum for Term 1.
Covid Safe Procedures in place
These include improving classroom ventilation with air purifiers, the use of regular rapid antigen testing, mask wearing and physical distancing.
Thank you to parents and carers for supporting your children with these steps – they are not always easy, but are essential to help keep our schools safe and open, and to avoid the disruptions of home learning.
Helping your child to get vaccinated is one of the most important steps we can all take to give children direct protection against COVID-19.
Almost 97% of all 12 to 18 year olds have now had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and more than 93% are fully vaccinated.
This is a phenomenal rate of protection for our older students, who couldn’t have done it without the support of their families. We now want to see as many of our primary school students achieve that same level of protection.
For those who haven’t yet done so, you are invited to book your child’s vaccination as soon as possible.
COVID-19 vaccines have been tested and shown to be safe and effective in protecting against serious illness and reducing the likelihood of COVID-19 spreading.
High rates of vaccination also mean there is less chance of school closures – meaning more time for face-to-face learning, more time for fun activities and more time for children to be with their friends.
How it works
Vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 are delivered at two appointments, eight weeks apart.
The time between the first and second doses can be shortened to three weeks for children at higher risk of severe COVID-19, such as children with underlying medical conditions.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has advised that this includes children with:
- Down syndrome
- cerebral palsy
- muscular dystrophy
- severe disability that requires frequent assistance with daily living, which includes some autistic children and children with rare genetic disorders
- heart disease and chronic lung disease, including those regularly hospitalised for asthma
- cancer and survivors of childhood cancer.
How to book an appointment
There are lots of convenient options to get your child vaccinated, including statewide vaccination clinics, your local GP or pharmacy, and pop-up clinics at some primary schools.
You can book your appointment in a few different ways, including:
- online: coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine
- by phone: 1800 675 398 (Coronavirus Hotline)
- in person: talk to your local pharmacy, GP or a family-friendly vaccination centre.
Need help?
Call the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398 for booking or vaccination questions.
Need a translation?
Refer to the information about COVID-19 vaccines in languages other than English.
What to bring to the vaccine appointment
For information on what to bring to a vaccine appointment, please visit the Checklist: before your COVID-19 vaccination.
These resources can help you and your child prepare for the vaccination:
- Needle phobia – The Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC)
- Tips to help a child afraid of needles and stop it becoming a phobia – ABC Everyday
- COVID-19 vaccination social scripts – Amaze (autism resource)
- The ABCs of COVID vaccines – Sesame Street
- ATAGI advice on the safety of the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Extra support for children with disability or special requirements
Dedicated vaccination centres (pop-up clinics) are available to parents and carers who need help for their child to get vaccinated. For more information, refer to the Vaccine information for people with a disability or special requirements.
Thank you again for your support in ensuring children and schools are as safe as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Catherine