Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

Phased Return to Classroom Learning

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 Michael’s Traralgon 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.

5 to 9 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 12 October 2020

Subject to public health advice, from Monday 12 October 2020, all students at St Michael’s 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.

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 Michael’s I offer you our sincere thanks.

If you require clarification in relation to the return to classroom learning or additional support, please contact the school via principal@stmtraralgon.catholic.edu.au.

Yours sincerely,

Jodie Ware
Principal