Latest on COVID-19

VICTORIAN CHIEF HEALTH OFFICER MESSAGE TO PARENTS

I am writing to Victorian parents, carers and students today to seek every family’s support in slowing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria.

As the school holidays approach, we can’t ease up on looking after ourselves and our families. The only thing between us and a second wave is what we do next.

Wherever you go, please be mindful of the risks. Be aware others may be carrying the virus and practice physical distancing.

We are currently experiencing the highest case numbers we’ve seen in more than two months. Current evidence suggests that the rise in case numbers in Victoria is being driven by families having get-togethers and not following advice around physical distancing and hygiene.

Unfortunately, we are still in a pandemic and people’s lives are still at risk. As we’ve seen across the world, this virus has the ability to turn a small number of cases into hundreds in a matter of days.

This is not where we want to be and we must all act now – while we can.

This is why we’ve had to implement a number of revised restrictions. The number of visitors you can have at your home is now reduced to five. Outside the home, families and friends can meet in groups up to ten.

This is how each and every member of the community can help:

• Stay safe while out in the community.
• Stay safe at home. And that means only seeing those you need to. Don’t have big family gatherings and remember to keep your distance and maintain good hygiene.
• Don’t share food or drinks.
• If you, or anyone in your family is feeling unwell – stay at home. Don’t visit friends and family. Don’t go on holiday if you are unwell and don’t go to work. Don’t send your kids to school, childcare or kindergarten if they are unwell - stay home.
• And if you have symptoms, get tested.

The vast majority of Victorians are doing the right thing, but this is a wake-up call and we cannot be complacent.

It’s up to all of us to keep our friends and families safe.

For current information and updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) visit the Victorian Government’s coronavirus website.

If anyone in your family has any of the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), however mild, they should stay at home, seek advice and get tested. These symptoms include fever, chills or sweats, a cough, a sore throat, shortness of breath or runny nose, or loss of sense of smell or taste. For more information about where to get tested visit the getting tested for coronavirus web page.

If you’re concerned yourself or a family member has contracted the virus and need more information, please call the 24-hour coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.

Adj Clin Prof Brett Sutton
Victorian Chief Health Officer

Friday 26th June 2020

Advice and Other Documents

Message to Parents from the Department of Education and Training Secretary (11th June 2020)
COVID 19 Return to School Policy (DMSC)
COVID-19 Support Contacts
Coronavirus advice (Dept. Education & Training Website)
Information for VCE Students (VCAA Website)
Information Sheet - Parents and Edmodo

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Wellbeing

'Talking to young people about Coronavirus' - by Andrew Fuller
'Transitioning to in school learning' - by Andrew Fuller
'How not to get PTSD and remain relatively sane' - by Andrew Fuller (added Friday 5th June)
Michael Carr-Gregg's SchoolTV - Special Editions related to Coronavirus and returning to school

More resources on our Wellbeing page >>

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg's SchoolTV

SchoolTV is a new ongoing resource that is now available to our parents. Each edition will address a major topic with expert interviews, fact sheets, parent quiz, recommended apps, books and much more. SchoolTV aggregates information from many great resources such as BeyondBlue and ReachOut, amongst others.

Click here to access SchoolTV

VCE/VCAL

Exam times and dates have been released by VCAA. Click here to see the exam timetable on the VCAA website.

VCE and VCAL results will be released to students at 7.00am on Wednesday 30th December.

Quick Links

From our Acting Principal - Thursday 25th June

Tomorrow marks the end of what will go down in history as a term like no other.

Our school community has worked through many challenges and changes to ensure that everyone stayed safe while coronavirus was a risk. I hope that students, staff and parents look back on the experiences of the past three months and reflect on all of the positive things that have happened. The stronger connections and relationships that have been forged will hopefully continue to be nurtured once the social restrictions are eased.

Parent-teacher meetings

These were held yesterday via phone conversations due to the renewed restrictions, and I have already heard positive feedback from some parents and staff regarding the valuable discussions that took place in the very short period of time that was allocated to each meeting. Thank you to everyone who participated in this new format.

School-TV channel

DMSC has been very fortunate to have the membership for this extremely informative information source made available to the school community by Uniting Wimmera School Focussed Youth Services. This resource is available to all students and families free of charge. It contains short sessions from education experts and deals with issues such as exam jitters, poor sleep, anxiety and many other topics that are relevant to both parents and students. I encourage everyone to have a look at the detailed list that can be found later in the newsletter, and to take some time during the holidays to have a look at this resource.

Careers Day

On Tuesday our Year 10 to 12 students participated in an online version of the Careers Day that is usually held at Longerenong College. Despite some technical challenges, our students were able to hear some advice from numerous experts in their field about possible career pathways. Thank you to Mr Werner for organising this event and ensuring that all students had access to the information sessions that were of interest to them.

Exams for senior students

These will be held during the first week of Term 3 and students in Years 11 and 12 are encouraged to use some of their holiday time to revise the work that has been covered during this term.

Newsletter day change

This will be our last Thursday newsletter. Feedback from students after remote learning indicates that they appreciate having the outline of work that is due for the week made available to them at the start of that week. The homework checklist page for the coming week will be published each Friday in the newsletter and also made available on each Edmodo year level page. Parents will be able to use this to help them keep track of the work their children need to be completing.

End of term celebrations

Tomorrow is a “Back-to-Front” free dress day. Staff and students are encouraged to wear their clothes the wrong way around or back-to-front, just to have a bit of fun. We will hopefully enjoy some comical outfits when we have our free BBQ lunch and join in activities on the oval or the Dimboola Kahoot in the hall. Prior to this, students will be presented with academic and effort awards for their work during remote learning. Remember that school finishes at 2.30pm tomorrow.

Happy Holidays

I wish all of our staff and students a restful and enjoyable holiday. While we may not be able to travel far, I encourage everyone to have a break from school work and re-charge their batteries. Be sure to stay safe and appreciate being with family and friends.

Sally Klinge

Acting Principal

Click here for this week's full newsletter.

Bushfire At Risk Register

Our school is on the Bushfire At Risk Register (BARR).

Schools on the BARR must close on a determined Code Red day in their weather district. No staff will remain on site and all out-of-school care programs (including vacation, before and after school programs) will not operate on such days.

As a bus co-ordinating school all bus routes will be cancelled.

Click here for more information.

Click here for fire danger ratings on the CFA website.

Senior Pathways Options

VCE, VCAL, SBAT, VET

A short video on Senior Study Options.

Click here to watch

Facebook Page

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Koorie Connections

Read about our Koorie engagement projects by clicking here.

eSmart

Click here for
eSmart resources