The Second Sunday of Advent   ************************************************************

CHILD SAFETY

Drop Off and Pick Up Times: This week, I met with Traffic Police, and representatives from the Wellington Shire Council in an effort to discuss the safety of our children and all other pedestrians, cyclists and road users around the school, in particular Raglan St, where we continue to have a number of issues around parking and in particular, double parking.

Our current understanding is that cars can only remain parked for 2 minutes during the designated times displayed on signage to “Drop off” or “Pick up” their children within the allocated “Drop off, pick up zone”. This zone runs parallel to the school fenceline. When parked, parents/drivers cannot leave their cars unattended.

At the end of the day, children will be reminded to move swiftly to their cars. The recommendation is that parents arrive no earlier than 3.15pm if planning to park along the fenceline for “Pick ups”. Please remind children of arrangements for the end of the day. Parents can park for longer periods of time on the other side of Raglan St. Further to this, signage along Guthridge Parade allows for 15min parking. This is an option that is being explored for Raglan St. 

Police have recommended to the Shire that old signage be updated and replicated so that it is clearly visible and drivers are aware of their obligations. We support this recommendation. Police are keen to hold further meetings with the Shire and school to address the traffic issues along Raglan St to ensure the safety of our children and their families. Together with Shire officers, police will aim to patrol parking and traffic more regularly to remind drivers of their responsibilities and to keep children safe.

School Visitors-Current guidelines: Parents, Guardians and Carers and Other Visitors Attending Schools

Visitors to school grounds must comply with vaccination requirements, density limits, face mask requirements, QR code check-ins and practise respiratory etiquette and good hand hygiene.

The following applies:

The density limit of 1 person per 4 square metres should be applied to any spaces and activities being attended by parent/guardians/carers and other visitors. The density limit applies to all persons in the space, including students.

Outdoor events attended by parents, guardians, carers and other visitors can be held with up to 500 people, with a density quotient of one person per two square metres applied. The density limit applies to all persons in the space, including students.

To support contact tracing, schools must keep a record of all visitors, including contractors, parents, guardians and carers who enter school buildings and use the Victorian Government QR Code Service. All visitors and parents must check-in using the QR code system even if they are visiting for less than 15 minutes.

Please know that parents, guardians and carers who enter school buildings must be fully vaccinated or have a valid medical exception with the following limited exceptions:

• when attending to administer medical treatment to their own child when the treatment cannot be administered by the school
• when attending to collect their child who is unwell and cannot leave the school building unaccompanied by their parent/carer
• when attending for a momentary period that does not involve any sustained contact with staff or students, for example, to collect a completed art project or similar.

All adults, including parents, guardians and carers attending any school event or activity including, but not limited to assemblies, tours, graduations, transition days or whole of school events are required to be fully vaccinated and show evidence of vaccination

UPCOMING EVENTS

Junior Athletics:

This will take place on Friday December 10th, 2021. Families will be able to attend, however, all those attending onsite need to sign in scanning the QR code provided and will need to be fully vaccinated and show evidence of vaccination. Masks need to be worn if entering school buildings for any reason.

Graduation:

Year 6 will celebrate their Graduation on Tuesday, December 14th, 2021.This event will take place outside and families will be able to arrive for a picnic at 5.30 pm on the school grounds. Fr Peter will celebrate Mass at 6.30pm, with the Graduation ceremony to follow. Again, all those attending will need to sign in using a QR code. All visitors need to be fully vaccinated to attend.

Parent Teacher Interviews:

Families wishing to discuss their child’s report have the opportunity to attend Parent/Teacher Interviews scheduled for Wednesday December 15th, 2021. These interviews are optional.  Details regarding how to register online will be shared with you early next week. Parents attending interviews will need to sign in, be fully vaccinated and wear a face mask inside school buildings.

Unfortunately, we will not be having an End of year Concert this year and it is our intention to hold a family picnic early in Term One for families. 

Classes for 2022

Teachers are currently working on class lists for 2022. Teachers will be announced next week and we will hold a Transition morning on Monday December 13th, 2021, starting at 9.15 am. 

Year 6 Camp

Our Year 6 students have returned from camp and have enjoyed some beautiful weather for their outdoor activities. We have included some photos in this week’s newsletter.

Enjoy your weekend, 

Anita and staff