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COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Thank you
This is a very challenging time for our world and we can at times like this see normally rational people behave in irrational ways. By this I mean people becoming aggressive both physically and in their communications. This has not been the case at St Peter’s. I would like to thank every member of our school community for your patience and understanding as we all come to terms with what this outbreak has meant for our children and their programs. I would also like to thank every family who has been in contact with me either via email or phone for the polite, controlled way you have sought information or clarification. In a very challenging time everyone has been incredibly respectful.
Update
I continue to seek information from all the relevant authorities and will keep you informed via emails.
- Gatherings over 500 people - In line with advice I have received regarding large gatherings over the weekend we will not be holding any whole school assemblies or liturgies. Assemblies and liturgies will continue but will take place at levels P-2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6.
- Parent Teacher Interviews - We will continue to plan for our parent Teacher Interviews scheduled for Thursday, 16th April. If need be they can be postponed closer to the day.
- Closure of Schools - There is still no advice regarding the potential closure of schools. Over the weekend further joint advice has come to me from The Department of Education and Training (DET) and the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria (CECV) which would support the steps we have begun to put in place should school closures eventuate.
- Holiday Travel Protocols If you are travelling overseas during the holidays please note the following.
RETURNING FROM OVERSEAS- SELF ISOLATION
From midnight on Sunday the 15th of March all travellers returning from overseas are required to self isolate for 14 days. This is compulsory and all St Peter's families are obliged to follow this direction.
PRIVILEGE OF PRINCIPALSHIP
WEETBIX TRYATHLON
On Sunday, 8th March a number of our students competed in the Weetbix Tryathlon at St Kilda. I headed down with Tito to have a look and it was wonderful to see so many young people having a go. This was not a school event but in registering students indicated which school they attended. As a result of the number of students from St Peter's who entered we received a donation of $500 worth of stationery which will be spread across the school. Congratulations to everyone involved.
BUILDING REFURBISHMENT
The refurbishment of our Senior Building has begun today. This $1,150,000 project is the result of a $1,000,000 State Government grant and a $150,000 school contribution. This is an exciting time that will result in upgraded facilities for our Year 4, 5 and 6 students as well as an upgraded Art Room. This will be a project in three stages with different classes being relocated in the school for periods of time. Parents and guardians of affected classes will be informed as the changes impact on their classes. The whole project should take 8 months with classes impacted for approximately 8 weeks at a time.
LOST PROPERTY
New Location
With the senior school refurbishment lost property will now be kept in a tub in the e-learning centre.
Unnamed Lost Property
The unnamed uniform that was mentioned in our last newsletter has now been handed to the P&F Used Uniform Shop. Please see details of the St. Peter's Used Uniform Shop further down in my section.
Check Uniform at Home
I would like all families to please check all the windcheaters they have at home and make sure the name on it belongs to your child. If not please have your child bring it to school and place it in the tub in the e-learning centre.
END OF TERM ONE
The last day of school for students at St Peter's will be Wednesday, 25th of March with school finishing at 3:25pm.
RETURN FOR TERM TWO
The first day of school for students at St Peter’s will be Tuesday, 14th April.
OLSH COLLEGE BENTLEIGH 'COME & SEE MORNING'
On the 3rd of March 2020, the year five girls went to OLSH to see what it was like. We did lots of fun activities at OLSH Secondary College.
The first activity we did was sport. At the start we played a game called yucky and yummy. Then we played little games in groups of 8 like shooting (a.k.a knock out), balancing beam, bean bag throwing, high jump, long jump and hula hoops.
The next thing we did was dancing. The Year 10 dance students put us into groups and we had to rehearse a routine. Firstly the girls taught us 6 different numbers such as 1.Elevation 2.turning, 3.Falling, 4.Travelling, 5.Stillness and 6.Gesture. Then we got to roll a 6 sided dice and whatever number it landed on we had to add it to our routine. After we did that we got to show the rest of the year fives our dances. It was great!
The next thing we did was eat snacks. We got to see all the OLSH students, ex-St Peter’s students and some people even got to see their siblings.
The last thing we did was make meditation rocks. Before we painted the rock we did a draft and thought about what colors to mix when we paint the rock .Then we got glass paints and painted the rocks.Some designs were so amazing! We got to take them home.
Sadly we had to leave but we said a big thank you to OLSH and we left. Everyone had so much fun!!
Gabi and Cinzia 5GM
ST. JAMES COLLEGE BENTLEIGH EST 'COME & SEE MORNING'
On the 3rd of March 2020, the Year 5 boys went to Saint James. It was a short walk from St Peter’s so we got there pretty quick. As soon as we entered we were greeted by very nice staff. All the boys were split into 3 groups each doing a different activity. The different activities were science, woodwork and indoor sport.
My group went to science first with Mr Thomas. He showed the group what happens when you mix different chemicals and acids. He corroded metal, turned water into milk and made elephant's toothpaste. For safety he made us wear lab coats and safety goggles. It was really fun.
Next was woodwork with the year 10 boys where we got to make a box out of wood. We wore safety goggles just as an extra precaution. There are staff to help you if you need help making the box. You may clip your thumb sometimes with the hammer but overall it's really fun.
Last was sport with Mr Laska. As a warm up we played dodgeball and that was really fun. After that was a game of indoor soccer. Some people took it seriously by giving their team a name. I named my team Fax Machine.
Once it had finished we were allowed to get a ham and cheese sandwich, a juice box and a biscuit. After we finished we got a goodie bag with a St Bede’s ball in it.
The time there was really fun and exciting. You would be lucky to go to Saint James.
Ashton 5PH
Today, the fire brigade and the police came to school. Billy's mum is a police officer. They have a police dog. They use a police dog to catch very bad people who are doing the wrong thing. My favourite part was when they were lifting up the ladder. The fire truck was huge! The fire truck ladder could go up ten stories.
Alice 1GC
On Thursday the fire brigade and police came to St Peter's. The police officers taught us that the dog bites robbers that won't listen and we saw the huge fire engine. My favourite part was when the police siren was turned on. It was loud.
Amelie 1GC
ST. PETER'S USED UNIFORM SHOP
The St Peter's Used Uniform Shop is operated under the P&F Association, run by volunteers from the school community and provides families the opportunity to purchase second-hand school uniforms at reduced prices.
The Used Uniform Shop will accept donations of clothing only and will not sell items on consignment. The funds raised through the Used Uniform Shop will be provided to the P&F Association, as one of its ongoing fundraising activities.
The Used Uniform Shop is now accepting donations of clothing.
ST PETER'S USED UNIFORM SHOP - INFORMATION SHEET &
OPENING TIMES THIS TERM
FRIDAY, 20th MARCH - 9.00am - 10.00am
WEDNESDAY, 25th MARCH - 8.30am - 9.30am
1. All items of clothing to be sold through the St Peter's Used Uniform Shop must be
thoroughly laundered and cleaned, or drycleaned before donating them.
2. The St Peter's Used Uniform Shop reserves its right to not accept clothes that have not been laundered, that are dirty, stained, ripped or in non-saleable condition.
3. Any labels/names must be removed. If the name/phone number is written on to the label, it will be covered over with permanent marker prior to sale.
4. Clothing can be dropped off when the used Uniform Shop is open. Clothes cannot be left outside the Used Uniform Shop when it is closed. There is also a box at the front office where clothing can be dropped off outside the Used Uniform Shop hours.
5. Items that will not be sold through the Used Uniform Shop are – Tights/stockings, hats, socks, hair elastics, headbands, beanies, art smocks, shoes.
6. Items purchased from the Used Uniform Shop will be accepted as is. No refunds or exchanges will be given.
7. The Used Uniform Shop will be located in the Meeting Room, off the front carpark at the Casey end of the school.
8. Payment of items can be made by cash or EFT.
9. Any questions or if you would like further information, please call or SMS Vanessa Lawless 0438 559 538.
Please go to the links below to download the St. Peter's Used Uniform Shop Order Form and the Credit Card Authorisation Form.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/145Z3GnaKYFm0_5R1rC99L2mfVWYltr5W/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GWCF7TcWvxkx4RCqRA8pMYWAiy9-35w3/view?usp=sharing
ANZAC DAY MERCHANDISE
MESSAGE FROM GLEN EIRA CITY COUNCIL SCHOOL CROSSING TEAM
In order to promote safety around schools, VicRoads have produced some small cartoon like images for parents.
Please go to the links below:
General Road Safety Messages
School Crossing Specific
We are living in unprecedented times with the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) impacting our lives. The wellbeing of the children and staff in our three schools is paramount and we are receiving information and updates on a daily basis from The Departments of Health and Education as well as the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria (CECV). I would like to acknowledge the wonderful leadership that Michael Hanney, Catherine Tammesild and Lynda O’Donnell are providing in their school communities.
The Federated Leadership Team had an extraordinary meeting last Friday to discuss and plan for:
- Possible Closure of Schools – If this eventuates we are preparing ways in which we will provide some continuous learning for our students should we be instructed by the Chief Health Officer or the Department of Education or the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria that we have to close. I had discussions with OSHClub on Friday and was advised that if schools close they will also close and they will not be able to offer a program.
- Considering all advice from CECV the St Peter’s trip to Canberra and St Paul’s camp to Phillip Island this week, will go ahead with thorough contingency plans in place.
- Our advice, before the Prime Minister announced it Friday afternoon, was that large Public gatherings, that can be postponed, should be postponed. A letter went out Friday informing Year 3 parents that the Reconciliation Family Night scheduled for Wednesday night has been postponed.
- Parent Teacher Interviews are planned for St Catherine's this term and St Peter’s early next term - we will continue to monitor and make a decision closer to the date whether these will go ahead and in what format.
- Teachers are continuing to reinforce with their students safe hygiene practises.
On Friday afternoon we received advice from the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria (CECV) as to the protocols and actions that are required if a student or staff member has
- A confirmed case of COVID-19
- Or is a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
'Close contact' is defined by the Department of Health and Human Services (DI-IHS) as someone who has had at least 15 minutes of face-to-face contact with a confirmed case, or shared a closed space with someone for more than two hours with a confirmed case.
We are ready to enact these if the circumstance eventuates.
This information changes day by day (if not hour to hour) so we will continue to keep you informed of any developments.
It is important to talk to your children to provide them with information that is not alarmist or hysterical. This obviously depends on their age and level of understanding – here is a link to a Kid-friendly comic about COVID-19. It is an amercian comic but it may be useful.
There are 10 very practical ways to reduce the risk of COVID19 that DHHS has helpfully outlined in a simple poster. Click here to download poster.
Of these 10 steps, three stand out as being very practical (and easy) to implement.
1) The importance of - and using the correct hand washing technique.
2) No shaking hands is an easy - and effective - way to slow transmission.
3) The importance of good cough/sneeze hygiene. Coughing/sneezing into your elbow or a tissue (not covering your cough with your hands), getting rid of the tissue into a bin, and washing/sanitizing hands immediately after each cough/sneeze.
Michael Juliff
