Dates
- Monday 3 April — Student Progress Interviews online (student free day)
- Tuesday 4 April — Student Progress Interviews onsite (from 4.00pm)
- Tuesday 4 April — Easter Mass (whole school)
- Thursday 6 April — End of Term 1 (2.30pm finish)
- Friday 7 April — Good Friday (College closed)
- Sunday 9 April — Easter Sunday
- Monday 10 April — Easter Monday (College closed)
- Friday 14 April — College Office closes 4.00pm
- Monday 24 April — College Closed *please read more about this date change in the 'From the Principal' article HERE
- Tuesday 25 April — Anzac Day public holiday (College Office closed)
- Wednesday 26 April — Start of Term 2 (College Office opens 8.00am)
Vaping
Dear parents
Vaping, or the use of electronic cigarettes, has become a concerning trend over the past few years. Today, I would like to spend a few minutes of your time to address this important issue that is affecting the health of our youth.
Despite the many warnings and regulations surrounding vaping, it continues to be a trend among teenagers and young adults. Many young people ignore the thought that they could become one of the statistics of those who have suffered harm from vaping.
It is essential to understand the harmful effects of vaping on your children's health. Vaping can lead to lung damage, heart disease, respiratory problems, and addiction to nicotine. These health issues can have long-lasting effects on their physical and mental wellbeing.
In addition to these physical and mental health risks, it is also important to understand the social and academic consequences of vaping. Research has shown that young people who vape are more likely to engage in risky behaviours, have lower academic performance, and suffer from social isolation. One piece of research you may be interested in reading can be found at this link: The Vaping Epidemic in Adolescents - PMC
As parents, it is crucial to talk to your children about the risks of vaping and the importance of making healthy choices. Encourage them to make informed decisions and seek help if they are struggling with addiction or other related issues. Even if you do not believe your child is vaping or in danger of taking up vaping, having a conversation about the dangers is important.
Last year the College shared some videos highlighting the dangers of vaping. Below are some links that may assist you in having a conversation with your child about vaping:
Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping
If you suspect that your child is vaping, it is important to address the issue immediately. Talk to them about the dangers of vaping, offer support and guidance, and seek medical attention if necessary.
Winter uniform is coming
As we move into the second term of the school year, I would like to remind you that with the change in weather comes the expectation that students will begin wearing the College winter uniform. This includes the appropriate blazers, ties, trousers, shirts, skirts, and footwear.
To avoid any unnecessary conversations about skirt length or missing items, I would like to ask for your help in ensuring that your child is meeting the College uniform expectations. Please take the time to review the Uniform Policy with your child and make sure that they have all the necessary items to comply with the policy. To view the Uniform Policy, please click HERE.
I understand that students may have outgrown some of their uniform items or that some items may have been misplaced, but it is important that we work together to make sure that students are dressed appropriately and represent the College well. Our Uniform Policy is designed to promote a sense of pride and unity among our students, and by adhering to it, we can create a positive learning environment.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. If you have any questions or concerns about the Uniform Policy, or need some assistance in replacing uniform items, please do not hesitate to contact me.
As the colder and wetter weather is now upon us, we would like to remind you that the College’s uniform supplier, Bob Stewart, has a spray jacket available for purchase. Investing in a spray jacket will not only protect your child from the elements, but also help to protect their blazers on wet days. We highly recommend this small investment for the benefit of your child's comfort and uniform appearance.
Hot cross bun sale
We are excited to share that the response to pre-orders for hot cross buns has been incredibly strong, demonstrating both a desire to help those in need and a love for delicious treats. We are thrilled to announce that we will be able to make a significant contribution to Project Compassion as a result of your generosity.
Unfortunately, to allow time to organise the purchase of the hot cross buns, orders have now closed. We would like to remind you that students who have placed pre-orders for hot cross buns can collect them on Wednesday 5 April. The SRC will be advertising how to collect the hot cross buns with students soon, so please ask your child to keep an eye out for further details. We also hope to have a limited supply of hot cross buns for sale on Wednesday 5 April
Once again, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our wonderful parent community and the SRC for their unwavering support in making our fundraising efforts a success. Your kindness and generosity will have a significant impact on the lives of those in need.
Latest news about student voice in the College
Some weeks ago, our College Captains Elena Atanasovski and Campbell Manser led a student forum regarding hair styles and the College’s uniform policy. The forum was a success with over 100 students attending, many voicing their opinions. The College Captains have since met with the College Principal, Mr Philip Morison, and made a presentation to the Community Forum Group.
The College Captains have now taken on the responsibility of revising the wording of the policy surrounding hair styles. They will be meeting with me and other student leaders to see where the policy can be revised to reflect the views of our student body. Once the revisions are complete, the policy will be presented to the College Executive. Any changes to the policy will be advertised to our community.
This has been a great learning experience for our student leaders, one they have fully embraced in their effort to represent their peers. We are proud of the leadership they have shown and their dedication to making positive changes at our College.
As a community, we value the input of our students and believe that it is important for them to have a voice in matters that directly affect them. We appreciate the initiative taken by our College Captains and look forward to seeing the positive changes that come from their efforts.
Japanese sister school visit
I would also like to use this space to express my gratitude to host families who generously opened their homes and hearts to our visitors from our sister school, Horyuji, Japan. The Japanese students were made to feel incredibly welcome, and I know that they have fond memories of their stay with us.
The cultural exchange that took place during the visit was truly exceptional. Not only did the Japanese students get to experience life in Australia, but they also had the opportunity to visit classes and engage in warm interactions with all they met. This was a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved, and I believe that it has helped to broaden our understanding of different cultures.
Although there were many highlights, the Sayonara part of the visit was one that particularly stood out. Despite the fact that we lost the internationally-acclaimed chopstick/hashi cup (2-1), the event was a huge success.
Looking ahead, I am delighted to let you know that we will be visiting Horyuji in September to keep our relationship strong and provide an opportunity for our students to be fully immersed in a different culture. We will also use the visit as an opportunity to win back the chopstick/hashi cup — training for this event will start soon.
Once again, I would like to thank everyone involved in making this visit such a success. It was an unforgettable experience for all of us, and I am already looking forward to the next one.
Impetigo (school sores)
Just a quick alert that there has been a report of Impetigo (also known as ‘school sores’) at the College. The parent who reported it to us shared that her local GP said there was quite a number of cases being reported at present.
Below is some information we have copied from the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne Health page:
Impetigo (im-pet-eye-go) is an infection of the skin caused by bacteria. It is often called school sores because it is common among school children. Impetigo causes sores on the skin, which are usually itchy. The sores may start out as blisters that burst and become weepy, before being covered with a crust.
Impetigo is not usually a serious infection, and should clear up a few days after starting medical treatment. Children with impetigo are very infectious (contagious), but the spread of impetigo can be reduced by practising good hygiene, covering the sores with dressings and keeping your child away from other children until they are no longer infectious.
Signs and symptoms of impetigo
- the sores can be anywhere on the body, but are often on the face near the mouth and nose, or on the arms and legs
- impetigo may start with a blister or a group of blisters
- the blister bursts leaving a patch of red, wet, weepy skin
- the sore usually becomes coated with a tan or yellowish crust, making it look like it has been covered with honey
- there can be small spots around the first sores, spreading outwards.
- there is often superficial peeling on the edge of the sore
- impetigo is usually itchy
- parents sometimes worry about impetigo because it can look quite serious, but it is usually a mild infection that is easy to treat.
Treatment for impetigo
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic medicine in the form of a cream, ointment, tablets or syrup. Give these to your child as directed, and make sure you complete the course of antibiotics.
If your child gets impetigo repeatedly your doctor may do a nose swab to test for bacteria in the nose. Your child may need antibiotics, which are delivered into the nose, to prevent further instances of impetigo.
Below please find links to fact sheets about impetigo (school sores) with further information, provided by the Royal Children's Hospital and the DHS Better Health Channel:
https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Impetigo_school_sores
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/impetigo-school-sores
Easter break
As we approach the Easter period, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our community for a restful, prayerful, and rewarding break. This time of year provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the sacrifices made for us and to be thankful for all that we have. Whether you are spending this time with family and friends or taking a quiet moment to yourself, I hope that you find peace and joy in this season. May you be surrounded by love and light, and may this break bring you renewed energy and inspiration. Happy Easter to all!
