ISSUE 29: 15th October 2021
Principal / Executive Leadership Team
Lord
May your love and light shine in and through me today
In a way that no mask can hide.
May my eyes dance with the laughter and joy
Replacing my hidden smile.
May my actions of care and concern
Speak louder than my muffled voice ever could.
May the generosity of my heart
Radiate out through who I am
And how I respond to the world around me
So that others may not see my mask
But your image shining out
Moving in and through me today.
Amen
Dear families,
Again, we thank you for your understanding and partnership during these uncertain times. We are blessed to have you supporting us in our Remote Learning efforts. We have had very few students at school this week and had parents collect students earlier which has meant that we have been able to minimise the amount of staff onsite. This has been much appreciated and is helping minimise risk in our community.
Please keep in your prayers our local Catholic primary schools St Paul’s Mildura and St Joseph’s Red Cliffs who have been impacted this week with COVID-19 cases in their school community. May God give everyone strength in our Sunraysia community who has been impacted by these difficult times.
Return to School
With the announcement today that we will be in lockdown for another week, and given that we are following Melbourne's Roadmap, this means new arrangements for the return to school for some year levels.
For the coming week Monday, 18th October to Friday, 22nd October the roadmap is as follows:
- Monday - Wednesday: Prep students attend school, Year One/Two students will participate in Remote Learning
- Thursday - Friday: Year One/Two students attend school, Prep students will participate in Remote Learning
- Years Three to Six continue remote learning all week.
If you are an essential worker or your child is deemed vulnerable and requires supervision we ask that you complete the form below by 4pm Sunday 17th October. We will not be able to accept late forms as we need to be able to confirm onsite staffing.
Once again, the school will require an Authorised Worker Permit form from your employer. This will be required for any new students attending onsite remote learning.
We strongly encourage families to keep their children at home to learn where possible.
We thank all of our families for your continued support with the weekly changes to this current situation.
Supporting Primary School Children Return to Onsite Learning
Do you have questions about the safety and logistics of a COVID-safe return to school? This webinar from the Royal Children’s Hospital looks at how we can support students returning to school from lockdown. The panel features experts in COVID-safe practices for children, mental health and educational development. To watch this video please click on the link below:
2022 Classroom Structure, Transition and Class Placement.
Over recent times significant planning has been undertaken in regards to our 2022 planning. Part of this has been making decisions around classroom structure, transition and class placement. An important note is attached outlining our formal processes.
Parents have the opportunity to contribute to this process via the Class Placement Survey which can be picked up from the front office and needs to be returned in a sealed envelope by Friday, 29th October. In regards to placement of students in classrooms. If parents have any classroom placement considerations for their child it will be very important that you read the note below.
In regards to our classroom structure our main change will be that our current Grade 4 group will be divided into only two groupings rather than three making all Year 5 and 6 groupings having 27 students. Across the week we will have 2-3 additional experienced part-time teachers available ensuring at all times for their classroom learning an extra teacher is available to support students in the senior unit.
Headphones for Remote Learning
Students who are attending onsite for remote learning need to have their own headphones. It is very disruptive to the rest of the learning in their classroom without the headphones. We will start calling parents if they don’t have them and requesting that they have them ASAP. Thanks for your cooperation.
Jumpers
As we are needing to keep doors open for ventilation we are noticing that some children are very cold in the classroom. We encourage children to dress for the morning weather conditions. Normally a jumper would suffice.
Year 6 Graduation Dinner
Thank you to our group of parents who met with our Grade 6 staff to begin planning for our Grade 6 Graduation Evening. This will occur on Wednesday 8th December from 6pm-9pm. Once again this event will be held at Willow and Ivie. Our committee will continue planning and details will be communicated as they come to hand.
2021 School Fees
Thank you to everyone who has paid their school fees. Reminder to the families who opted for payment by term or year that these accounts should have been paid in full by the end of Term 3.
2022 Fee Commitment Packs
As your children return to school we will be sending home the 2022 fee commitment packs. For those who are continuing remote learning, we invite you to come into the front office to collect these through the week. Please complete and return in the plastic pockets provided ASAP.
Student Teachers
Welcome to third year Latrobe University student teachers Katrina Land and Alexandra Pallot. Katrina will work in Bundaleer. Alexandra will work with Barramunga. This is a four week placement. Please make Katrina and Alexandra welcome.
Grade 5 School Camp
We did communicate that our Year 5 camp would be cancelled for the year. After cancelling our booking with Sovereign Hill they have informed us that they anticipate announcements in regards to camps on 5th November. If camps were able to occur they may be able to provide another opportunity for students to be able to attend the camp. If a date becomes available we will consult with parents to gauge the interest with consideration to the current COVID-19 climate. If there was strong support we would love the students to have this opportunity after a very difficult year.
School Advisory Council (SAC) Annual General Meeting (AGM)
On the evening of Wednesday 3rd November the SHPS School Advisory Council (SAC) Annual General Meetings (AGM) will take place at 6.00pm. We have vacancies for Parent Representatives on SAC, if you are interested in joining, please collect nomination forms from the front office and return them completed by Friday 29th October.
Please read the important information below in regards to how we can work as a community to minimise risks to members of our community as we return to school.
God bless!
Mark Gibson
Return to School Arrangements - Minimising Risk to Our Community
As students start returning to school we know that many students, parents and staff may feel anxious due to the current situation in Mildura. It is a certainty that Coronavirus will still be present in the community, but as a school, we all need to be fully committed to doing all we can to protect the safety and wellbeing of all in our community. Below we have some important points that we hope provides some reassurance to families:
Supporting Primary School Children Return to Onsite Learning
Do you have questions about the safety and logistics of a COVID-safe return to school? This webinar from the Royal Children’s Hospital looks at how we can support students returning to school from lockdown. The panel features experts in COVID-safe practices for children, mental health and educational development. To watch this video please click on the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/rchmelbourne/videos/587632852569674
Facemasks
Masks for students in Years 3 are now mandated in indoor settings, in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID as on-site learning recommences over the coming weeks. We have a limited supply of child-sized masks in each classroom. Please send your child with their own mask with their name clearly written on it. Masks are strongly recommended for students in Foundation – Year 2 in indoor settings, but will not be mandatory.
Face masks, along with other preventative measures, improve the safety of the school environment and contribute to reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission within the school community and the wider community. To be effective, a face mask must be worn correctly, covering the nose and mouth. Face shields, scarves or bandanas do not meet these requirements.
Staff and students who are unable to wear a face mask due to the nature of their disability, medical or mental health condition may be exempt from wearing a mask. Further details are available on the Victorian Government Coronavirus website:
www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks-when-wear-face-mask
We ask that those students from Year 3-6 who are exempt provide a letter to the school. It can be emailed to principal@shmildura.catholic.edu.au If the school has no evidence of medical reasons the school may request documentation from a doctor.
Parents Accessing School Grounds
Parents are able to enter the school grounds to drop off and collect students. It is a requirement that visitors wear masks and socially distance themselves from others, but we strongly advise against parents gathering outside classrooms for more than 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, parents will be required to check in via the QR codes provided outside each classroom door. When entering any school building the QR check in is a requirement.
Social Distancing
As a staff, we are very conscious of maintaining a physical distance of 1.5 metres between ourselves and other staff members or adults. Where practicable we also encourage this between adults and students and between students themselves. Seating has been arranged in confined spaces for staff and visitors to promote appropriate physical distancing. Larger meetings are held via Zoom amongst our staff. Some classes are being held outside and students are given opportunities to have breaks outside where appropriate.
Student Mental Health and Wellbeing
The mental health and wellbeing of students remains an important consideration. If you have any concerns in regards to your child please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s classroom teacher. Our Wellbeing Officer is also available for families or students to speak to if needed.
Illness/Monitoring of Symptoms
It is important that we all continue to monitor our own health and that of our children daily during this time. If you or your child develop any symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose or shortness of breath you should get tested and remain at home, even if symptoms are mild. Everyone should consider their health before they go to work or attend school.
Due to the current situation, the school will be extra cautious and if children present with any symptoms, parents will be contacted to collect their child. If covid symptoms are present, they must get tested. If symptoms do not go away and are due to allergy or other conditions we will ask that a medical certificate is supplied stating that the child is safe to attend school.
Illnesses or symptoms that are passed on amongst those in our school community can have an impact on staff and families. This may just be a cold but if passed on it can impact and cause distress to both families and staff as this may mean having to get tested, waiting for results and staying at home with students. With many parents currently working in important roles to help protect our community and many people anxious about the current situation, I think it is important that we take this cautious approach.
Ventilation
As a school, we are required to increase fresh air flow into indoor spaces whenever possible. Where possible we are keeping windows and doors open. Air conditioners are set to external air rather than recycling. Where fans are available they are being used. The Victorian Government is delivering air purifier units (model Samsung AX7500) for the school to use in high-risk areas.
Vaccinations
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect the community and slow the spread of COVID-19. All staff, contractors and visitors who work in our school are required to have the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 18th October 2021 or have evidence of an appointment within that week. All staff will be required to be fully vaccinated by 29th November unless a medical exemption applies. All staff are required to show evidence of their vaccination status.
It is important to know that when parent volunteers return to classrooms and are required to work in close proximity to students or staff that they will be required to follow the same vaccination requirements as staff. We are awaiting further advice, but this could also become a requirement when attending school events. We will communicate these requirements to families when they become clearer.
Hygiene and Cleaning
All staff, students and visitors to the school should undertake regular hand hygiene, particularly on arrival at school, before and after eating, after blowing their nose, coughing, sneezing or using the toilet. Staff are reminding students of this regularly. COVIDSafe routine cleaning arrangements continue to be in place; in particular regular cleaning and disinfecting of high touch surfaces, and the inclusion of some elements that were not included prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Medical Vulnerabilities
As per the advice of the Victorian Chief Health Officer, COVIDSafe measures have been put in place to ensure our school is safe for all children including those that are medically vulnerable. If a student has a higher risk for severe outcomes or complications of COVID-19 (for example, those with chronic medical conditions) advice from the child’s medical practitioner regarding onsite school attendance should be sought. In most cases, the presence of common conditions such as asthma or diabetes, should not preclude a student from attending face-to-face learning.
Supervision of Students
Please note that when school is open for on-site learning, remote learning will not be facilitated. Students who do not attend in-person will be supported as per the school’s normal procedures for students who are absent from school. We would encourage parents to talk to their child’s teacher who may be able to give suggestions for learning that could occur at home, but their priority will be with the students attending school.
Communication
If a student becomes a primary contact or is a confirmed COVID-19 case we would greatly appreciate if you could let the school know ASAP. This will allow the school to be proactive and not wait for confirmation from DHHS. This can sometimes take some time after a person is a confirmed case.
Sacred Heart will keep the school community up to date with the latest advice on school COVID requirements as directed by the Australian and Victorian governments.
I thank you for your support as we continue to work through the challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic as a school community.
Religious Education News
Sacramental News Update
Due to the extended lockdown we will confirm arrangements for the sacramental program as soon as possible.
Learning Diversity & Wellbeing News
Classroom teachers are currently in the process of transferring, reviewing and updating their students’ Personalised Learning Plans (PLPs) to a revised template. Upon this transfer, the PLP will be referred to as an Individualised Learning Plan (ILP). This change has come about due to our teachers’ having a Professional Learning Plan - also referred to as a PLP, thus lessening the confusion between the two acronyms in conversations held at school.
Hopefully we can resume interventions (MiniLit, articulation/pragmatics sessions with Lime Therapy, MacqLit, Reading Tutor, Toe By Toe and Boost groups) when we return to school. The consistency and continuity of these important sessions relies on our being back at school in an authentic environment.
Learning & Teaching News
Nothing to report this week.
General News
NSW Bus Students
Students who change address, school, campus location, or who have repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of term 4. This will ensure that schools can endorse applications and current entitlements are updated and remain valid. School Opal card holders will have the changes applied to their existing card.
Prep Unit News
Well done Prep students and parents on another week of remote learning! Keep up the fantastic work.
We look forward to our Prep student returning on Monday Tuesday and Wednesday next week!
Here are a few photos of our students with their binoculars or telescopes that they made to complete their materials hunt either at home or at school
Prep Unit Team Contact Details
- Unit Leader: Mrs Rebecca O'Callaghan
- Cooinda (Year Prep): Mrs Rebecca O'Callaghan
- Wahroonga (Year Prep): Miss Courtney Sheridan
Junior Unit News
Thank you for your dedication and persistence Junior Unit families. We are thrilled with the exceptional standard of work that our students are presenting and are looking forward to seeing you all again shortly.
We are endeavoring to find a suitable date to celebrate our Year 1 camp (Stay Back) and Year 2 camp (Sleep Over). As soon as these are set, we will communicate this with our families promptly.
All Junior Unit teachers have been reviewing the books students are accessing on the PMeCollection and Reading Eggs (Year 1 only) reading programs. These are fantastic literacy programs catering to each student. It is pleasing to see so many students accessing these.
We are looking forward to having our Year one and two children back at School on Thursday and Friday this week!
Junior Unit Team Contact Details
Click on the teacher's name if you wish to email them.
- Unit Leader: Mrs Katrina Groves
- Karinya (Year 1): Mrs Chris Carmichael
- Barramunga (Year 1): Mrs Katrina Groves (Monday-Thursday) & Mrs Wendy Collins (Friday)
- Bundaleer (Year 1): Mrs Maree Irvin (Tuesday-Friday) & Mrs Wendy Collins (Monday)
- Waminda (Year 2): Miss Georgina Hewitt
- Kyema (Year 2): Mrs Kim Taylor
Middle Unit News
Thank you for your ongoing support through these uncertain times. Well done to all students in the Middle Unit for their positive attitude and hard work! A reminder for students to be in their sport uniform and sitting in a quiet spot for our morning Zoom sessions. We also remind students to come back onto Zoom at 11:30 so that we can check in with how students are going and give any important messages. Students who are working from school are reminded they must have their own set of working headphones to use. Stay safe.
Middle Unit Team Contact Details
Click on the teacher's name if you wish to email them.
- Unit Leader: Miss Sophie Price
- Amaroo (Year 3): Mrs Xana Priestley
- Yongana (Year 3): Mrs Cathy Rowles
- Mootwingee (Year 3): Miss Sophie Price
- Minga (Year 4): Mrs Natalee Johnson
- Eumeralla (Year 4): Mrs Maria Beer
- Nangare (Year 4): Mrs Kerryn Weaver (Monday-Tuesday) & Mrs Emma Kotsiakos (Wednesday-Friday)
Senior Unit News
It has not been the start to Term 4 we had hoped for however, we would like to commend our senior students on their resilience, perseverance and work ethic during these uncertain times. We sincerely hope to see all of our students back in the classroom on Thursday & Friday.
Senior Unit Team Contact Details
Click on the teacher's name if you wish to email them.
- Unit Leader: Mrs Jo Campbell
- Myalla (Year 5): Mrs Sarah Beckwith
- Illawarra (Year 5): Miss Belinda Zappia
- Narooma (Year 6): Mrs Jo Campbell
- Dourim (Year 6): Mr Corey Barbary
Library News
Scholastic Book Club Issue #7 has been sent home to the children who have been onsite. Students who have not received one may view the online booklet at Scholastic Book Club Issue #7. Issue #7 will close on Friday October 22nd (online orders only).
Please note: this will be the final order for this year. If you wish to order as a GIFT please tick the “gift’ box on LOOP and when the order arrives at school you will be contacted to collect it from the office. All book club orders help our school earn Scholastic dollars to spend on books and resources.
Students are reminded to bring their library bags and books every day to school. Students in Years 3-6 are often asked to do silent reading during the day, and many say they don’t have any books or have finished the ones they have but left them at home. Library visits by classes during onsite, regular learning usually happens on set days, however in these more uncertain times, teachers may take their students to visit the library on any day, therefore it is important that library books are brought to school daily. During regular school time, the library is open at lunchtimes Tues - Fri and before school Tues - Thurs for children to return and borrow. Please also check at home for any library books that may be overdue. Once we return to a regular program at school, notes will be sent home for overdue books to come in.
Weekly Awards
No Awards this week.