Welcome back to term 4. The staff are looking forward to the students returning to onsite learning beginning week 3 of the term. Our staff are following all government and CECV guidelines in relation to receiving vaccinations and ensuring our learning spaces are well ventilated. I will continue to keep parents informed on the latest developments. Please make sure you check emails and Operoo regularly, as this is the main form of communication with parents.

Staged return to onsite learning- term 4

All dates are subject to public health advice.

From Monday 18 October	Year Foundation return to school  Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday	Years 1 & 2 return to school Thursday & Friday	Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 continue to learning from home
From Monday 25 October All students return part-time.	Year Foundation return to school  Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday	Years 1 & 2 return to school Thursday & Friday	Years 3 & 4 return to school Tuesday & Wednesday	Years 5 & 6 return to school Thursday & Friday
Friday 5 November	All years Foundation to year 6 return to school

Face masks in schools

As students return to onsite learning, schools will implement key measures to maintain the health and wellbeing of students and staff.

One of the most important and effective things we can do to help maintain onsite learning is to wear masks to help minimise COVID-19 transmission risk.

When worn properly, masks can play an important role in reducing the transmission risks of COVID-19 that could happen from common activities in school.

We know COVID-19 can be transmitted amongst children, and between children and adults. When teachers, staff, and students consistently and correctly wear a mask, they help protect themselves and others from COVID-19.

The following safety measures apply:

Secondary students (aged 12 and above) must wear a mask at all times both indoors and outdoors at school, unless a lawful exception applies. Students can remove masks when eating, drinking, or exercising. 

Face masks are required for students in Year 3 to Year 6 , only when indoors on school premises, unless an exception applies.  

Exceptions for all year levels include: 

Students with a physical or mental disability are not required to wear a face mask where their disability means it would not be suitable.

School staff must wear face masks while teaching wherever practicable, except here removal of a face mask is necessary for effective communication.

Year 1/2 Home Learning Packs can be picked from the school hall on Monday the 18th October between 7:30 - 9:30am

Term 4 Events

I am currently working through a number of options for important school events this term. It seems fair to say that some events will not go ahead and others will be modified to ensure we follow government guidelines.

I will publish more information as soon as possible.

School Closure Days- Term 4

Monday 1 November ( Tuesday 2 November Melbourne Cup Day - Public Holiday)

Friday 26 November

Power Outage

Our energy provider has informed us that our electricity will be off all day on Tuesday 19 October. The school will still be open for Foundation students and students of authorised workers. We will implement “old school” teaching strategies and avail of outdoor learning spaces on this day. If parents need to contact the school on this day, you can call the school emergency mobile number 0439 067 790. You will still be able to email the office@scmoorabbin.catholic.edu.au as we will have access to charged laptop computers. 

Curriculum Term Outlines- Term 4

Teachers will email parents the curriculum term outline for term 4 by the end of this week. This document gives an outline of the curriculum for this term. You can also locate a copy of this document on the newsletter parent portal on the left hand side -Curriculum Term Outlines.

New Uniform Items

PSW have now confirmed the new school uniform items. These items are:

• New zip jacket to replace sports windcheater
• Navy tracksuit pants
• Navy jumper
• New navy lightweight sports shorts, skirt and top
• Navy school hat
• Navy lightweight school bag

Transition to new uniform 

The transition period will begin in term 4 2021. At this stage we will aim for all students wearing the new school uniform items at the beginning of the 2023 school year. 

As of term 4 the following new items will be available to purchase from PSW.

• New navy lightweight sports shorts or skort

Anna from PSW is working with suppliers on other items and will let me know as soon as they become available.

Discounted Uniform Stock 

We have a number of end of line uniform items that will be available for a discounted price from the school office. These items are:

• Maroon school hat
• Maroon rugby top
• Pale blue polo top

PSW will deliver these items to the school sometime this week. Please call Laura in the office to make a time to purchase items.

New Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools-Concessional Fee Policy

Families who hold a Health Care Card (HCC) are eligible for concessional school fees. A copy of this policy can be found  on our newsletter parent portal on the left hand side under MACS Policies. If you would like further details, please contact Laura Bailey, our office manager. We encourage all eligible families to take advantage of this government funding.

2022 Foundation Transition Program

Our 2022 Foundation Transition Program dates have been rescheduled for November. We are hoping to welcome our new foundation students onsite on the following dates. Our Parent Information Session will most likely take place online.

Wednesday 19 November- 9:15-11:15am

Wednesday 24 November- 12:00-2:00pm

Wednesday 1 December- 7:00- 8:00pm- Parent Information Session

Thank You

Thank you to the Parents and Friends committee who wrote beautiful thank you cards for each staff member.

The staff appreciate your praise and recognition of the work they do. 

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – 

School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS): 

Throughout each year, we pause to listen to our students, families and staff to gauge how our learning community is travelling. This feedback is invaluable to our progress as effective school communities and is backed by evidence-based research and best practices. 

Surveys will be sent out to families this week.

A significant and formal way in which we engage and gather data is through MACSSIS, the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys. 

In 2021, students, families and staff are invited to participate in MACSSIS via our secure and purpose-built online platform. The online platform is where our school leaders will access the summary reports that visualise the results of the student, family and staff surveys.