by Rosina Fotia, Principal

Welcome to Term 2! I trust that everyone has had a restful Easter period and is enjoying the beautiful autumn weather we are currently experiencing in Melbourne. This term promises to be very busy and includes events such as: NAPLAN, Work Experience, Open Night, Examination periods.

Learning Focus

The College will continue to keep its focus on Literacy and Numeracy across the whole school. The key emphasis for Professional Learning during this term will be moderation of Common Assessment Tasks in preparation for semester reports. The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) - is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. All students in these year levels are expected to participate in tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. This year, again, these assessments will be completed online.

ANZAC Day

Aimee Norris, College Captain, was the College representative at the Lilydale Dawn Service held on ANZAC Day. The service was attended by many dignitaries and Aimee was able to lay a wreath on behalf of the College community. Thank you Aimee.

COVIDSafe Measures

The Victorian Government has announced some important changes to COVIDSafe measures for schools that will apply from the start of Term 2.

Face Masks:

From 11:59 pm Friday 22 April, face masks, while recommended, are not required in any school setting. Any student or staff member who wishes to wear a mask may do so, including those who are medically at risk.

Screening requirements:

Students who have tested positive for COVID-19, and have completed their 7-day isolation period, now do not need to undertake rapid antigen test (RAT) screening for 12 weeks after their release from isolation. This was previously 8 weeks.

Household contacts:

• Students who are household contacts of a COVID-19 case are not required to quarantine. They may return to school as long as they undertake rapid antigen tests (RAT) 5 times during their 7-day period. They are required to notify the school that they are a household contact.
• Students aged 8 years and above who are household contacts are required to wear face masks when indoors at school unless they have a valid exemption.
• If a student household contact returns a positive RAT result, they must isolate for 7 days.

Vaccination requirements for visitors to schools:

Parents, carers and other adult visitors (not performing work) are no longer required to show evidence of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

RAT screening program reminder:

RATs will continue to be supplied for the first 4 weeks of Term 2 to support the early detection of COVID-19 in our school. The testing recommendations will remain the same this term for students and staff, with mainstream schools recommended to test at home twice a week.

As we approach winter and flu season, the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 and booster shots for students 16+ remains the best way to ensure protection for students and staff. If you have any concerns about getting your child vaccinated, please get in contact with your GP or another health professional who can answer your questions.

A Huge Congratulations...

to Amelie Theophanous-Maddison of Year 7, who competed in the School States Swimming Carnival and won the 50 metre Breaststroke event. Celebrations were had with the Gold Medal and a Maccas meal!

Encouraging School Attendance

Encouraging regular school attendance is one of the most powerful ways you can prepare your child for success—both in school and in life. When you make school attendance a priority, you help your child get better learning outcomes, develop healthy life habits, avoid dangerous behavior and have a better chance of graduating from high school and transitioning to further study, traineeships or full time employment.

When students are absent for fewer days, their results and reading skills often improve—even among those students who are struggling in school. Students who attend school regularly also feel more connected to their community and develop important social skills and friendships.

If you are having difficulty getting your child to school and would like some support, please do not hesitate to contact the relevant Sub-School Learning Leader on 9735 1133.

We look forward to a successful and positive second term to the school year.

Thank you for your ongoing support.