Principal's Message
Easing of Restrictions
We are all enjoying the easing of restrictions and we are so pleased to welcome parents and carers back into the school grounds. Please remember to:
- Wear a face mask when you are on the school grounds
- Adhere to social distancing
- Reduce congestion by using the different access gates
- Minimise congregating in the school grounds
- Limit time in the school grounds to no more than 10 minutes.
Please note that parents and carers should not enter the school buildings or classrooms without an appointment. If you have an appointment, it is essential that you first come to the office to log into Compass so that we have a record of you being here. This is in accordance with our COVID safe plan.
You are welcome to come to the school office if you need to. Please note that we are limited to having two people in the foyer area at any one time so please wait outside if need be.
2021 School Captains
I am pleased to announce that our 2021 School Captains are Gracie, Hugh F, Soraya and Zaydn. Congratulations to these students who will spend some time with this year’s School Captains Nick, Nihdi, Rohan and Rose as a part of the handover process.
Year 6 Graduation
Our Year 6 students have been working hard to prepare their Graduation movie which will be premiered during a special school event on the 9th of December. This movie will be sent home to families who can organise their own watch parties with family and friends. The easing of restrictions means that we can now hold a family picnic in the school grounds on the evening of the 9th of December. We are so grateful that we can come together to celebrate this important milestone. Thank you to the Year 6 teachers, Ms Seng, Ms Hamilton and Ms Paterson, students and parents from the Graduation Committee for planning a memorable event for our well-deserving Year 6 students.
Well done to Anna and Rohan for sharing their excitement about their Graduations with Channel 7 News of Friday.
Banyule Gift Appeal
Thank you to everyone who donated to the 2021 Banyule Gift Appeal. Your generosity will make a difference to many children and their families who are experiencing financial hardship. It’s not too late if you would still like to bring a gift to the office or make a cash donation via this link:
Road Safety
The safety of your children is our biggest priority. Children should exit the car from the door closest to the footpath and use the school crossing. We also remind you to drive carefully around school during drop off and pick up time. Thank you for your support.
Further information about road safety for children can be accessed from this link to the TAC website.
Health and Wellbeing
Here is the latest advice from DET regarding managing coronavirus symptoms.
Stay home when unwell
The most important action school communities can take to reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19), is to ensure that any unwell staff and students remain at home and get tested, even with the mildest of symptoms.
Students with underlying conditions (such as hay fever or asthma)
If a student has persistent symptoms due to an underlying condition such as hay fever or asthma, the student should still be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) if they develop symptoms that are different to or worse than their usual symptoms.
Parents/carers should also consider getting a medical certificate from the child’s treating GP to confirm that it is safe for them to attend school with persistent symptoms that may overlap with some of the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) such as cough or runny nose.
Young children with persistent mild symptoms
Younger children (in grades Prep to 2) who have had a negative coronavirus (COVID-19) test that was taken after they developed symptoms, the decision about return to school should be made in conjunction with the child’s treating GP. If the GP is satisfied the child has recovered from their acute illness, is otherwise well, and does not need a repeat coronavirus (COVID-19) test, the child can return even if they are not completely free of symptoms. Any worsening of symptoms will require review and repeat coronavirus (COVID-19) testing, if considered appropriate by the doctor.
Students with a negative coronavirus (COVID-19) test whose symptoms have completely resolved do not need a medical certificate to return to the school.
For further information for schools and to distribute to families see: Managing illness in schools and early childhood services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
And here is some extra information from Hilda
Managing hay fever and asthma can be tricky in hay fever season which is October to December.
Here are some things you can try to help prevent or manage your child's hay fever and or asthma.
- Develop an asthma hay fever plan with your child's doctor, these can be downloaded from the ASCIA, asthma or school website or blank forms can be sent home
- Follow the pollen count via https://www.melbournepollen.com.au/
- Avoid or limit outside exposure when possible on high and extreme pollen count days
- When appropriate for your child, use nasal sprays and antihistamine ideally before your child gets symptoms
- Prevention is also important for asthma; many children use preventative puffers to manage their asthma in this tricky season.
Please advise us if your child is prone to hay fever or asthma.
We must follow the DET requirement that parents and carers must provide asthma plans signed by your child's doctor and puffers and small spacers for children who experience asthma.
Please contact the school if you need any support with these requirements.
Justine Mackey