27 January, 2022

Commencement of Term 1, 2022 Arrangements

Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers

I have the wonderful privilege of taking up the position of Principal at your school in 2022. I am looking forward to meeting all of our students and families next week and would like to extend a warm welcome to all our current and new families to the 2022 school year at Lumen Christi Churchill.

Term 1, 2022 will commence for all for all students on Wednesday 2^nd February at 8:30am.  

As we continue to face challenges and changes to the way in which we live as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, every effort is being taken to ensure that our students are participating in face-to-face learning in a COVIDSafe way from the commencement of Term 1, 2022.   

I encourage all parents, guardians and carers to review the following information in relation to the COVIDSafe measures that will be implemented across all schools in the Diocese of Sale from the commencement of the 2022 school year to ensure that we protect our school communities and minimise disruption to face-to-face student learning.

Designated Drop off and Pick Up locations

At Lumen Christi, the drop off and pick up locations are the front and side gates. Unfortunately, parents, guardians, carers and other visitors are asked not to accompany their child past the gates or into their classrooms at this time. Instead, staff will assist our new and existing students to their correct classroom location or collection point. It is not the start to the school year we had hoped for, however these measures are in place to ensure the safety of our school community in an attempt to deter the spread of Covid-19 and in line with DOSCEL guidelines.

Foundation Students – Pick up and Drop off processes

The transition to Foundation (Prep) from Kindergarten can be both an exciting and challenging time for students and indeed parents, guardians and carers with many new experiences in a school environment.

Among those experiences, I understand that health and safety measures, such as the school drop off and pick up process may be challenging for some Foundation students without parents, guardians, carers or other visitors accompanying them into their classroom. Our Foundation students will be met at the school gate and assisted by members of staff, who will accompany them to their classroom.

I encourage parents, guardians and carers to discuss the arrangements with their child(ren), including that school staff will help guide students to their new classroom locations, prior to the commencement of the school day to assist with a positive transition into Foundation.

I also encourage contact be made with me directly if you wish to discuss any additional needs your child may require to assist with facilitating their transition to school at the start of the school year, if you have not already done so.

Unwell students

Students who are unwell must not attend school. Students who have any of the symptoms of COVID-19, however mild, are encouraged to seek medical advice and get tested.

Students who test positive to COVID-19 (with a PCR test (nose and throat swab) or a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)) must isolate for seven days and not attend school during that period.

If students are absent from school for an extended period of time, they will be supported in their learning by the school.

Face masks

In accordance with requirements from the Victorian Government, all staff and students in Grades 3 to 6 attending Lumen Christi are required to wear a face mask when indoors, including when travelling to and from school on public transport, taxis or ride share vehicles and when attending Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) programs, unless a lawful exemption applies.

It is strongly recommended that students in Foundation to Grade 2 wear a face mask indoors at school or when attending OSHC programs.

Parents, guardians and carers are required to supply their child(ren) with an appropriate face mask that covers the nose and mouth. Appropriate face masks include single use face masks (commonly called surgical masks). Face shields, scarves or bandanas do not meet the requirements of an acceptable face mask.

All visitors, including parents, guardians, carers and children in Grade 3 and above must wear a face mask in all indoor locations at the school, unless an exemption applies.

Rapid Antigen Testing

The Victorian Government has strongly recommended that all staff and students complete twice-weekly RAT at home prior to attending school for at least the first four weeks of
Term 1, 2022.

Tests will be provided to families at no cost. Parents, guardians and carers must advise the School if their child receives a positive RAT result and must register the positive result on the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form available on the Coronavirus Victoria website www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au as soon as possible.

Further information in relation to the collection of RAT kits will be made available to families once the School has received delivery of the RAT kits from the Victorian Government.

School Buses

All bus services are expected to operate as planned for the 2022 school year.

With a higher incidence of COVID-19 transmission within the community, there is the likelihood that bus services may be potentially cancelled, possibly at short notice.

Families will be provided as much notification as possible in the event that a cancellation to a bus service is required. At this time, work is underway with bus operators to ensure that contingency plans are in place to support student and families in this regard.

We look forward to welcoming our new and existing students into the classroom and working with you in supporting student learning and development in a healthy and safe working and learning environment during the 2022 school year.

If you require clarification in relation to the health and safety measures implemented at the school to limit the spread of COVID-19 or require additional support, please contact me directly via the school phone number (51 222 231) or via email at sdarby@churchill.catholic.edu.au

Yours sincerely

Sally Darby

Principal