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Dear Parents,
I hope you and your families enjoyed a wonderful break over the Easter holidays.
There are 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.
Rapid antigen test 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
RATs will continue to be supplied for the first 4 weeks of Term 2 to support the early detection of COVID-19 in our school.
The testing recommendations will remain the same this Term for students and staff with:
- mainstream schools – recommended to test at home twice a week
- specialist schools – recommended to test 5 days a week at home due to the higher risk of severe illness for medically vulnerable children.
As we approach winter and flu season, the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 and booster shots for students 16+ remains the best way to ensure protection for students and staff.
If you have any concerns about getting your child vaccinated, please get in contact with your GP or another health professional who can answer your questions.
Thank you for your ongoing support in keeping our school safe.
Beginning of Term 2 Mass Celebrating the risen Christ
This Thursday, 28 April, parents and families are warmly welcomed to join us at 10am for our beginning of Term 2 Mass. It has been a long time since we have gathered as a school community to pray for God’s blessing on the students, families and staff. We hope you can join us to celebrate.
Congratulations to the Year 3 students who have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation over the past few weeks.
ANZAC Day 25 April
Anzac Day is always marked on 25 April because it is the anniversary of the Gallipoli landings during the First World War. Yesterday, 25 April, Australia and New Zealand commemorated Anzac Day. Today the students across the school spent time learning about the many servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives.
Rosemary grows wild on the peninsula of Gallipoli, so has a special significance for Australians and New Zealanders. The plant is a herb that was, in ancient times, said to improve memory and Greek scholars wore rosemary in their hair to help remember their studies. The association with memory has endured over time and as a result, people now wear it as a symbol of remembrance on Anzac Day.
Welcome Twilight Concert
On Wednesday 18 May, Andrew Chin (singer/songwriter) will be running a series of workshops with each class in preparation for a twilight Concert in the Amphitheater. Each class will perform a special song that they have learnt with Andrew during the day. Before the Concert, classrooms will be open for parents to come and see their child’s learning space and meet the teaching staff for 2022. This event was planned for last term but was postponed due to COVID restrictions. We hope you can keep the date free and come and join us for a fun evening.
Mothers Day Stall and Breakfast
A reminder that the Mother’s Day stall is next Thursday 5 May and the special breakfast hosted by the Dads will be held on Friday 6 May.
Mrs Saunders, the Visual Arts teacher, is inviting all mums or a special friend to attend their child’s Art class next week. The children will have a go at drawing a live portrait of their mothers or special friend in Art. We do understand that some of you may not be able to attend. If you're able to send a special friend or grandparent along that would be lovely. If no one is able to attend the class at all, feel free to pop into the Art room with your child at 8:30am any morning next week (besides Friday). If you have more than one session to attend because of siblings, feel free to come in any morning at 8:30am with all children. You do not need to bring anything on the day. It will be a very special and memorable experience.
Below are the following sessions:
Monday 2 May:
6HA- 9:15-10am
6B- 10:15-11am
3W 12.00-12:40pm
3B 1.00-1:40pm
Tuesday 3 May:
50- 9:15-10am
5K- 10:15-11am
1W 12.00-12:40pm
1M 1.00-1:40pm
Wednesday 4 May:
PREP KD 12.00pm-12:30pm
PREP B- 1.00pm-1:30pm
Thursday 5 May:
2MA 9:15-10am
2H 10:15-11am
Wednesday 11th May:
*PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF WEEK DUE TO CROSS COUNTRY
4GL 9:15-10am
4C 10:15-11am
If you have any queries please email: rsaunders@spbentleigh.
The Fete returns for 2022
Congratulations to Kaitlan Challis and Toni Anderson who have generously offered to take on the position of Fete Coordinators. Fete collection days have been planned and all the major roles have now been filled. What an amazing feat!
Opening of Junior Building
It is with great excitement that students in P-3 returned to school today to beautiful new learning spaces. The rooms look amazing and I can't wait to invite you for a tour.
I received a call from Nick Staikos to say that the new building will be officially opened this Friday at 10am. I am still preparing the ceremony but would like to extend an invitation to parents to attend. The event will include an outdoor Assembly in the Amphitheater, a tour of the new building and a ribbon cutting
Meditation
Parents are welcome to return to Meditation as of next week. It will be great to have you back!
Parents Support Website
Children’s and teens’ emotional wellbeing, especially in challenging times, is better when families get the right support! Now, all Victorian parents and carers have FREE access to support that helps children’s resilience and life skills.
START YOUR FREE PROGRAM TODAY www.triplep-parenting.net
