Principal's Report
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World Teachers Day - October 29
Today we acknowledge the work of teachers and those who support our teachers, and thank them for the valuable role they play in the formation of our young people. Teaching is a vocation and those who are called to the profession feel a deep desire to nurture a love of learning in their students. Moreover, teachers offer pastoral care that creates an environment in which young people can hopefully flourish in the fullness of their being. On this World Teachers Day especially, I thank the teachers of 酴圖弝け for their commitment and adaptability over the last 20 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are indeed blessed to have a community of passionate and enthusiastic educators all working together towards a common goal.
Student Free Day - Monday, November 1st
Our calendar reserves the Monday before Melbourne Cup Day as a student free day to allow an opportunity for catch up for our teachers and support staff. Thank you for your amazing support of their endeavours this year to provide quality tuition in a blended learning environment. The College will be closed to all except those who are taking VCE Exams on Monday.
Welcome Back - Wednesday, November 3rd
We welcome all students back to onsite learning on Wednesday and hope that they are all looking forward to returning fulltime to their schooling face to face, albeit with important COVID Safe protocols that will need to continue to observe so that we can operate safely. Much of what students are reporting to have missed during our period of online learning is the interpersonal connections that they value with both their peers and their teachers and we know that they have been excited to see their friends again as part of the staggered return this week.
Year 12 Students
We wish our Year 12s (and Year 11s studying Unit 3/4) the very best as they commenced their exams this week, starting with English on Wednesday, 27th October. While English will have been the first exam for most students, there will be some who have already undertaken exams in performance and language subjects over recent days. The graduating class will receive their certificates at a Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, 18th November and gather for their Valedictory Dinner in the new year as large indoor functions become a possibility again.
Student Attendance
All students are expected to attend onsite once their year level has returned to onsite learning. Exceptions may exist for medically vulnerable students. It is recommended that parents/carers of students with complex medical needs seek advice from the students medical practitioner to support decision making about whether onsite education is suitable and work with the relevant level leaders at the College in regards to a plan. As all students will have returned to onsite learning, the current online remote learning program will cease.
COVID Safe Protocols
The key messages that will continue to be emphasised are:
- Stay home if unwell.
- Get tested immediately if any of the following symptoms appear: fever above 37.5 degrees Celsius, night sweats, chills, acute respiratory infection (such as cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), loss of smell, and/or loss of taste.
- Maintain good hand and cough hygiene.
- Do not share food or drink and use a water bottle (drink fountains are allowed to be used).
- Do not share other utensils.
- Maintain social distancing as much as possible.
- Wear a fitted mask at all times indoors.
- Minimise time at lockers.
- Parents/guardians should remain in cars during drop-off and pick-up times.
Vaccination
In accordance with the health directions, all staff, contractors and volunteers must have provided evidence of their vaccination status to the College by now to be given permission to work onsite. While it is not mandatory for students to be vaccinated to attend the College, it is highly recommended and we are strongly encouraging all eligible students to be vaccinated for their own safety and to support the safety of the community.
Responding to Positive COVID-19 Cases on a School Site
As we return onsite while still seeing cases of community transmission, COVID-19 exposure at school remains a possibility. The College will respond promptly as soon as we become aware that a student, parent, contractor or other member of the school community has tested positive to COVID-19 and was onsite within 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Or, if there are no symptoms, 48 hours before the positive test. The College will assess who may be a Primary Close Contact (PCC) based on the level of face mask compliance, the degree of mixing across classes and year levels, and the time spent together. The Department of Health will send an SMS to the PCCs advising them of their quarantine, testing and release dates. PCCs will be informed that if they are fully vaccinated (double dose), they should isolate for seven days and may be able to return to school after a Day 6 test, depending on local school arrangements. If the PCC students are unvaccinated, they will be required to isolate for 14 days and can return to school after a Day 13 test. Students will need to show evidence of their test and vaccination status when they return to school. Schools may need to close so that cleaning can take place, but it is expected that the school will be able to reopen the next day and will remain closed only as a last resort in response to complex circumstances.
ICON - Parent/Guardian Onboarding
All parents/guardians should have received an email explaining that a new process by which you will be given access to the Community Portal is being launched and this requires you to validate your details. Once we migrate to the ICON Finance and Administration system over the coming weeks, you will access the ICON ePortal to make changes to your own personal details, make school fees, other event payments and more. Should you have any questions please contact the College.
Illuminare 60th Birthday Special Edition
Congratulations to the production team, Mrs Janet Blackwell, Mrs Rebecca Presta and Ms Emily Scott, on the special edition of Illuminare celebrating 60 years of education at 酴圖弝け. This commemorative publication captures the spirit of the College by showcasing special aspects of each of the decades. It has only been possible thanks to the generous contribution of so many past and current students, staff and family members who have recalled memories of their time at the College. Special mention must go to Ms Anne Stebbing for her work to locate artefacts from our archives that help tell the Aquinas story. You can enjoy reading the special edition of Illuminare here.
Darren Atkinson
Principal