Latest News
Return to Classroom Learning
18 Sep 2020
From Monday 5 October, all students at St Thomas’ will return to face-to-face classroom learning and will be expected to attend school as normal.
We look forward to seeing our students and wish all our families a relaxing and safe break.
Return to Classroom Learning
17 Sep 2020
Phased Return to Classroom Learning
Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,
The Victorian State Government eased restrictions in regional Victoria on
Wednesday 16th September 2020 from 11.59 pm. Regional Victoria has now progressed to the Third Step of the roadmap for reopening.
As a result, all students at St Thomas’ will continue with Remote Schooling arrangements (with current exemptions for on-site remote schooling continuing) until the end of Term 3, i.e. Friday, September 18th 2020 (tomorrow).
Please know that the day will finish at 2.15pm for onsite students. Buses will depart at this time.
Term 4 Arrangements
From Monday 5 October, all students at St Thomas’ will return to face-to-face classroom learning and will be expected to attend school as normal.
Where parents, guardians or carers choose to keep children home instead of returning them to classroom learning, St Thomas’ will no longer be required to provide a Remote Schooling Program. However, St Thomas’ will endeavour to provide an extended absence work program and your child will be marked as absent from school.
Health and Safety Requirements
If your child is experiencing signs or symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), they must not attend school until their symptoms resolve and appropriate medical advice is obtained. This includes those showing even mild symptoms of COVID-19.
The symptoms to watch out for are:
- fever
- chills or sweats
- cough
- sore throat
- shortness of breath
- runny nose
- loss of sense of smell.
In certain circumstances headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also be considered.
Upon arrival to school or during the school day, if your child becomes or is unwell, you will be contacted and required to come and collect your child.
If students who are being tested for COVID-19 have siblings who attend a school managed and operated by the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited (DOSCEL), then the siblings should also remain at home until a negative test result is provided for the student awaiting a test result.
If students are unwell for an extended period of time, they will be supported in their learning by the school.
Where a student is unwell and absent from school, parents and carers will not need to provide a medical certificate for their child to return to school.
In addition, all students will continue to receive a temperature check every morning before attending school, with a non-contact infrared forehead thermometer.
Primary school students are not required to wear a face covering irrespective of the student’s age. However, individual families can make their own decisions regarding their children wearing a face covering whilst attending primary school.
Parents, guardians and carers are encouraged to inform their child(ren) that school staff will be using face coverings and reinforce with their child(ren) the need to keep 1.5 metres apart from other people, to wash and dry hands thoroughly and regularly, and cough and sneeze into a tissue or their elbow.
School Arrangements
St Thomas’ will continue to implement the following control measures:
- designating drop-off/pick-up points for parents
- promoting age-appropriate hygiene practices for all students
- reminding all students and staff to wash their hands with soap and water or when this is not possible, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser on arrival at school and regularly throughout the day
- reinforcing with students the following hygiene practices:
- cough and/or sneeze into their elbows or a tissue
- place used tissues straight into the bin
- avoid touching eyes, noses or mouths
- not to share food or drink
- not to drink from water fountains or bubblers directly
- extending school cleaning programs during the school day, including cleaning school playground equipment after use
- limiting the number of visitors attending the school, including parents.
The main risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the school environment is between adults. The following measures continue until further notice for parents, guardians and carers:
- practise physical distancing and avoid long periods of time in close contact with other adults
- use the telephone or email to contact staff rather than visiting the school
- do not enter the school grounds except when essential and the time on-site should be minimised
- adhere to the school’s pick and drop off requirements for students.
Country Bus arrangements
1.Tomorrow, Friday September 18th , all buses will depart on hour earlier than normal 2.15pm, due to it being the last day of term
2.Term 4 Week 1: Buses will continue to take students to their respective schools there will be NO SHUTTLES/McMillan Park
3.Term 4 Week 2 – Until the end of the year, all buses will go back to their normal timetables. Shuttle/McMillan Park will resume.
I appreciate that the transition to classroom learning will be a challenging time for all and I thank all our parents, guardians, carers and the wider school community for their continued hard work and support.
If you require clarification in relation to the updated Term 4 arrangements return to classroom learning or additional support, please contact Anita Little or Allison Arnup on 51441332.
Wishing you all a well deserved rest and holiday.
Yours sincerely,
Anita Little
Principal
On-Site Remote Schooling Student Attendance
11 Sep 2020
Forms for Onsite School Intentions for next week (14th - 18th September) must be completed for your child to attend school.
Please complete the form at:
SCHOOL FEES INFORMATION
11 Sep 2020
If your financial circumstances have been affected during the current restrictions please contact us to discuss concession options for Term 3. Applications will close next Wednesday 17th September. You may still apply even if you have paid your Term 3 instalment.
Please email: cjohnson@sttsale.catholic.edu.au OR alittle@sttsale.catholic.edu.au
On-Site Remote Schooling Student Attendance
10 Sep 2020
Forms for Onsite School Intentions for next week (14th - 18th September) must be completed for your child to attend school.
Please complete the form at:
On-Site Remote Schooling Student Attendance
09 Sep 2020
Forms for Onsite School Intentions for next week (14th - 18th September) must be completed for your child to attend school.
Please complete the form at:
SCHOOL CAMPS 2020
09 Sep 2020
9th September 2020
Dear Parents and Families,
Please know that we have been communicating with camp providers and unfortunately, the school camps scheduled for our students this year, 2020, will not take place due to the current context surrounding COVID 19.
Our camp providers understand the circumstances that impact school groups, recognising what they can provide in terms of activities may be limited and also, the availability to visit particular venues listed in the itinerary may not be possible. Our tour providers for Canberra, and the proprietors of Gelantipy and Rumbug have been very obliging and look forward to our students visiting their venues next year.
All families will receive a letter detailing rebates for Camp and Activity Levies.
Regards
Anita Little
Principal
Phased Return to Classroom Learning
08 Sep 2020
Phased Return to Classroom Learning
Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers
The Victorian State Government has announced that Victorian school students will begin a phased return to classroom learning in Term 4, 2020.
This means that all students at St Thomas’ will continue with the Remote Schooling arrangements (with current exemptions for on-site remote schooling continuing) for the remainder of Term 3, 2020.
Term 4 Arrangements
Decisions relating to the return of face to face classroom learning will be based on the advice of Victoria’s Chief Health Officer and may be subject to change as set out in the Steps for schools in Victoria’s roadmap for reopening – How we work in regional Victoria.
5th to 9th October 2020 (Week One)
It is anticipated that following the conclusion of Term 3 school holidays, Remote Schooling will continue for the first week of Term 4, 2020 (Monday 5 October to Friday 9 October 2020). This will give the Victorian Government and the Chief Health Officer time to monitor and review the daily average number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in regional Victoria.
From 12th October 2020
Subject to public health advice, from Monday 12 October 2020, all students at St Thomas’ will return to face to face classroom learning and will be expected to attend school as normal.
Health and Safety
The School will continue to ensure that the health and safety of students, staff and the wider school community remains the highest priority with physical distancing measures and hand and respiratory hygiene practises remaining in place for all staff and students. The School will also ensure that increased cleaning remains in place.
In addition, all students will continue to receive a temperature check every morning before attending school, with a non-contact infrared forehead thermometer.
In accordance with requirements from the Victorian Government, primary school students are not required to wear a face covering irrespective of the students age. However, individual families can make their own decisions regarding their children wearing a face covering whilst attending primary school.
Parents, guardians and carers are encouraged to inform their child(ren) that school staff will be using face coverings and reinforce with their child(ren) the need to keep 1.5 metres apart from other people, to wash and dry hands thoroughly and regularly, and cough and sneeze into a tissue or their elbow.
Students who are unwell must not attend school until their symptoms resolve and appropriate medical advice is obtained. This includes those showing even mild symptoms of COVID-19.
The symptoms to watch out for are:
- fever
- chills or sweats
- cough
- sore throat
- shortness of breath
- runny nose
- loss of sense of smell
In certain circumstances headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also be considered.
The School will continue to implement the current drop off and pick up arrangements to limit the number of students and families congregating on or near school grounds at the beginning and conclusion of the school day. Details will be forwarded to families next week.
Our highest priority has been and continues to be the health and well-being of students, staff and families. This could not have been achieved without your on-going dedication, support and understanding as we all navigate our way through Remote Schooling and a return to classroom learning. On behalf of the entire staff of St Thomas’, I offer you our sincere thanks.
If you require clarification in relation to the phased return to classroom learning or additional support, please contact St Thomas’. Anita Little (principal@sttsale.catholic.edu.au) or Allison Arnup (aarnup@sttsale.catholic.edu.au)
Yours sincerely
Anita Little
Principal