Dear Parents

It’s hard to believe we are back again in Remote Schooling. This unfortunately is our reality at the moment. We currently live in a very unpredictable world where it is hard to plan for next week, let alone the future. What would have been a busy weekend in my household filled with sporting events and family outings, turned into a very quiet, flat weekend. I don’t know how your children are coping with another lockdown, but I know that mine are struggling. The questions are coming that I don’t have answers to. Dad, why are we locked down again? Why is it happening in Victoria again? Why us? How long will it be for this time? I hate COVID dad. As a parent it’s hard to watch them struggling with something that is out of our control. All we can do is be there for them and let them know that it’s ok to be upset, annoyed and frustrated with what is going on. They need to know that it's affecting everyone and that their friends are most likely feeling the same as them. It’s also about trying to find a positive while being locked down, even if this means playing the PlayStation for longer or walking to the local café for a take away milkshake. They need to know that it won’t be forever and we will get that holiday, or day trip one day. It is important that we continue to plan for the future despite the setbacks and disappointments as that ‘one day’ will eventually come and when it does, it will be wonderful! 

Essential Workers:
This time around tougher restrictions have been placed on who can access onsite learning with the introduction of the permit system. We cannot accept students onsite without receiving permits from parents and permits must clearly outline your permitted work as outlined from the Government list below (see link) https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/authorised-provider-and-authorised-worker-list-0 Whilst we understand Remote Learning is difficult for everybody, as a school we must stick to the Government regulations and no exemptions can be granted. The school and families face fines for accepting or providing false information on permits.

Face Masks:
Whilst face masks are not mandatory for students who are attending onsite learning, the Victoria’s public health team are strongly recommending that primary school aged children, when they are not at home, also wear a mask as an extra precaution against the virus. Of the current 494 cases in Victoria 112 of them are children under the age of 10. It is the parent’s responsibility to provide face masks for children if you wish for them to wear one.

Fee Concession:
There is an Interim Amendment to School Fee Assistance whereby we can temporarily Authorise a Concession for Term 3, 2021. Financial hardship due to the COVID 19 pandemic may result from a range of issues that have impacted significantly on a family’s ability to pay standard school fees and levies. Any family experiencing genuine financial hardship are encouraged to talk to myself or Lauren in the office about the possibility of a fee concession.

The following, Extra Curricular, school events have been postponed due to the current lockdown restrictions, we will advise of new dates (if possible) in due course;

• School Photos
• Father’s Day Stall and Breakfast

All other school activities scheduled for after the current lockdown ends will be decided upon once we know what restrictions will be in place.