Dear Parents and Families,

We are currently awaiting further clarification regarding restrictions to be implemented across the State of Victoria due to the Premier’s 1pm announcement regarding a COVID 19 lockdown. 

It is due to start after midnight for a period of five days. We believe these restrictions will impact schools across the State. We will communicate information to families as soon as it comes to hand regarding arrangements for next week.

We are of the understanding that schools will be closed next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. (February15th,16th &17th, 2021)

Letters regarding school arrangements are being sent home this afternoon. Children of essential workers can attend onsite, if arrangements cannot be made for them to be cared for at home. Families need to complete the Onsite Intentions form by 12 noon, Sunday, February 14th 2021 so that staffing arrangements can be made for next week.

Teachers have sent home writing and reading materials for the three allocated days.

Child Safety

Swimming Carnival 

We look forward to our swimming carnival next Friday and hope it will be able to continue and that spectators will be able to attend. We have been communicating with our Head Office and Aqua Energy and have made plans for spectators to attend, however, we now await further direction regarding school sporting events in this current climate. If we proceed, there will be specific guidelines in place to implement our own COVID Safety Management Plan and COVID Safety plans that exist for the Sale Pool. 

If we proceed, the following Covid Safe protocols will be in place at Aqua Energy to allow parent spectators to safely attend: 

• When arriving at the outdoor pool, parents are asked to enter via the main entrance gate located off Guthridge Parade. 
• Parents will need to sign in manually or by scanning the QR Code provided by Aqua Energy at the entrance gate. 
• There will be a designated seated area at the shallow end of the pool for all spectators. This area will be kept separate from St Thomas staff and students.
• Students will sit in their House Teams and will not be able to mingle with spectators. 
• As per current guidelines and Aqua Energy protocols, visiting spectators must maintain social distancing and carry a mask at all times. We encourage only one spectator per family.

We ask that all parents respect and adhere to St Thomas and Aqua Energy’s Covid Safe procedures. 

Permission slips and details regarding the Carnival have been sent home today in readiness for Friday, if the Carnival goes ahead. We will be calling for volunteers. All volunteers need to have their Working with Children Check, must have completed the Parent Volunteer Induction and will need to participate in a briefing regarding the Carnival and COVID Safe protocols, prior to the Carnival starting.

RE 

Next Wednesday, we celebrate Ash Wednesday. This date marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Within the Catholic Church, we prepare to celebrate Easter and reflect upon the events of Holy Week. It is a time for repentance, forgiveness and new beginnings. We recall the ways we have followed Christ, loving and serving others and the times we have chosen not to do so. We are called to have a change of heart and to rebuild and strengthen our relationship with God or maybe even, begin a relationship with Him. 

Unfortunately, Mass will not be taking place at school on this day.

School Information

 Just a reminder that information regarding the school will be distributed via the school newsletter, the School App and class bulletins. We are currently working towards setting up a new communications system and details will be shared with families very soon. 

The school does not have a facebook page. If unsure of matters regarding the school, please contact the school for clarification or check newsletters and Apps for events taking place.

Teachers will be available via email for matters pertaining to your child’s learning. Please know that teachers may not necessarily be able to view your emails during the day as they will be teaching or preparing for classes and therefore, cannot respond immediately. Responses may be via email or phone. Teachers are not expected to check or respond to emails after 5pm during the school week.

Details regarding operational or administrative matters are accessed via the school office. Please contact the office if there are changes to pick up or drop off arrangements or record them in your child’s school diary. Any information that needs to be forwarded to your child during the day is to come via the Office. 

Information regarding community events may be published via the school newsletter. Clarification of community events need to be made directly to the organisation involved.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend. 

Again, we will continue to communicate any information regarding Lockdown Arrangements as soon as it becomes available to us.

Anita and staff.