Covid-19 UpdateMarch 17, 2020.
Dear Parents, Families and Friends, Yesterday, I sent home a detailed letter explaining that like the rest of the nation our decisions are informed by the government advice on how best to respond to the COVID-19 situation. Whilst nothing has changed in terms of our management at this stage, I know many families are concerned. The current advice from Dr Brett Sutton, Chief Health Officer, that ‘pre-emptive school closures are not likely to be proportionate or effective as a public health intervention to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 at this time’. This advice has not changed since yesterday. It is important to note that there has been NO CASE of COVID-19 reported at our school or in our town at this stage. Therefore, based on the latest advice which I received at 3.11pm today, St. Patrick’s will remain open. We are continually reminding students about best hygiene practices and trust that this is being supported at home too. We have cancelled all outside school engagements as listed yesterday, including assemblies. Our staff are cleaning the desks daily and all classrooms are stocked with cleaning equipment, hand sanitiser and tissues. As a parent myself, I understand that families are worried during this time. I also believe that parents/guardians have a right to make decisions that they feel are in the best interests of their own children. Therefore, if you make the decision to keep your child home from school, please notify the office and you can email your child’s teacher for work if you would like them to continue studying at home. I must reiterate that the latest advice from the government is that schools will remain open, so keeping children at home is only a personal decision for families at this time, but one that I have asked our teachers to respect and work with. I have listed below some websites that you can explore to keep abreast of the situation as it develops. https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/health-services-and-general-practitioners-coronavirus-disease-covid-19 With Faith in Our Future Michelle Hogan Principal |
VolunteersDue to the unfolding situation with the COVID - 19 virus we have been directed that NO volunteers or class room helpers are able to enter the school / classrooms till further notice. Social DistancingPlease remember the social distancing policies
(Keep 1.5m distance between people) that are in place to prevent the spread of COVID - 19. Please do not gather unnecessarily in the school grounds,this includes at the back gate and outside the learning areas. We appreciate your understanding during these ever changing times |