March 19, 2020 Dear Parents, Carers & Students, Our first priority at Our Lady’s is the health and safety of our school community. I want to reassure you that the school is well-prepared for the impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). We are being provided the latest advice from the Australian and Victorian Chief Medical Officers by the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd to ensure that our school practices are helping to keep our school community safe from the outbreak. Any incidents that arise will be addressed in accordance with our Critical Incident and Emergency Management Plan. We will also have access to resources and support from Catholic Education Melbourne and the Department of Health and Human Services. As parents, you have a critical role in helping the school manage this situation: · Exercise good judgment by keeping children home if they are feeling unwell for any reason · Talk to children about the situation, as they may be feeling anxious or stressed. You have a key role in helping students feel prepared and safe · Encourage children to be proactive and committed to their schoolwork, and to stay connected with the school and their teachers The Department of Health and Human Services has a number of resources on its website, which explain the virus, detail risk-reduction practices and behaviours, and answer frequently asked questions. These are available at www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus You can also find information about Catholic education’s response at: http://www.cecv.catholic.edu.au/Coronavirus-information-for-parents Birthday wishes to all these children who celebrate their birthday this week: Jisica Prep B, Joseph Prep B, Joyce Prep D, Simon 5N, Nathan 5C, Lucia Prep H, Dante 1G, Mark 1M, Ramsin 3N, Jack Prep C, Charlotte 1G, Willow 5E, Youssef 1S, Amelia 3T, Yasir 2A & Liana 2S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL! Home School Communication: Thank you to the 311 families who responded to the survey sent out yesterday via COMPASS. As mentioned earlier, the school is preparing in the event that the school may be closed and students will require to continue their schooling at home. Obviously the school program cannot be replicated in a home environment but in saying that, we are investigating all possibilities to support families if the situation arises and school closes. Electronic devices and the internet will be central to any support offered to
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Birthday wishes to all these children who celebrate their birthday … · · Exercise good judgment by keeping children home if they are feeling unwell for any reason · Talk to children
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March 19, 2020
Dear Parents, Carers & Students,
Our first priority at Our Lady’s is the health and safety of our school community. I want to reassure you that
the school is well-prepared for the impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
We are being provided the latest advice from the Australian and Victorian Chief Medical Officers by the Catholic
Education Commission of Victoria Ltd to ensure that our school practices are helping to keep our school
community safe from the outbreak.
Any incidents that arise will be addressed in accordance with our Critical Incident and Emergency Management
Plan. We will also have access to resources and support from Catholic Education Melbourne and the
Department of Health and Human Services.
As parents, you have a critical role in helping the school manage this situation:
· Exercise good judgment by keeping children home if they are feeling unwell for any reason
· Talk to children about the situation, as they may be feeling anxious or stressed. You have a key role in
helping students feel prepared and safe
· Encourage children to be proactive and committed to their schoolwork, and to stay connected with the
school and their teachers
The Department of Health and Human Services has a number of resources on its website, which explain the
virus, detail risk-reduction practices and behaviours, and answer frequently asked questions. These are
available at www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
You can also find information about Catholic education’s response at:
Friday 17th April Easter Whole School Mass – All Welcome
Monday 20th April Dental Visit Week
Tues 6th - Thu 8th May NAPLAN – Year 3 & 5
Sat 16th May/Sun 17th May Eucharist Sign Up Weekend
Sat 30th May/Sun 31st May Eucharist Presentation Weekend
Monday 8th June Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday
Tuesday 9th June Eucharist Parent Workshop 7:00pm in the Gym
Sunday 21st June Eucharist Celebration – Our Lady’s Church – See RE Roster for Times
Monday 22nd June Parent/Teacher Interviews
Friday 26th June End of Term 2
Sat 1st Aug/Sun 2nd Aug Confirmation Sign Up Weekend
Tuesday 11th August Confirmation Parent Workshop 7pm in the Gym
Sat 15th Aug/Sun 16th Aug Confirmation Presentation Weekend
Sunday 23rd August Confirmation Celebration Day
Student Wellbeing @ Our Lady’s …Providing a safe and supportive learning environment
News from the PLAYGROUNDNews from the PLAYGROUNDNews from the PLAYGROUNDNews from the PLAYGROUND
GRINNERS ARE WINNERS
Congratulations to the following classes for consistently being
safe, responsible and respectful in class:
1M, 2A, 4C
News from the PLAYGROUNDNews from the PLAYGROUNDNews from the PLAYGROUNDNews from the PLAYGROUND
Who was caught being SAFE? Ayla 2A
Who was caught being RESPONSIBLE? Melissa 1M
Who was caught being RESPECTFUL? Marseel 4P
Advice from Child Mind Institute about TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT
CORONAVIRUS
News of the coronavirus COVID-19 is everywhere. Many parents are wondering how to bring up the
epidemic in a way that will be reassuring and not make kids more worried than they already may
be. Here is some advice from the experts at the Child Mind Institute. • Don’t be afraid to discuss the coronavirus. Not talking about something can actually make kids worry
more. Look at the conversation as an opportunity to convey the facts and set the emotional tone. “You
take on the news and you’re the person who filters the news to your kid,” explains Janine Domingues,
PhD, a child psychologist at the Child Mind Institute. Your goal is to help your children feel informed
and get fact-based information that is likely more reassuring than whatever they’re hearing from their
friends or on the news.
• Be developmentally appropriate. Don’t volunteer too much information, as this may be overwhelming.
Instead, try to answer your child’s questions. Do your best to answer honestly and clearly. It’s okay if
you can’t answer everything; being available to your child is what matters.
• Take your cues from your child. Invite your child to tell you anything they may have heard about the
coronavirus, and how they feel. Give them ample opportunity to ask questions. You want to be
prepared to answer (but not prompt) questions. Your goal is to avoid encouraging frightening fantasies.
• Deal with your own anxiety. “When you’re feeling most anxious or panicked, that isn’t the time to talk
to your kids about what’s happening with the coronavirus,” warns Dr. Domingues. If you notice that
you are feeling anxious, take some time to calm down before trying to have a conversation or answer
your child’s questions.
• Be reassuring. Children are very egocentric, so hearing about the coronavirus on the news may be
enough to make them seriously worry that they’ll catch it.
• Focus on what you’re doing to stay safe. An important way to reassure kids is to emphasize the safety
precautions that you are taking. Jamie Howard, PhD, a child psychologist at the Child Mind Institute,
notes, “Kids feel empowered when they know what to do to keep themselves safe.” We know that the
coronavirus is transmitted mostly by coughing and touching surfaces. The CDC recommends thoroughly
washing your hands as the primary means of staying healthy. So remind kids that they are taking care
of themselves by washing their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds (or the length of two “Happy
Birthday” songs) when they come in from outside, before they eat, and after blowing their nose,
coughing, sneezing or using the bathroom. If kids ask about face masks, explain that the experts at the
CDC say they aren’t necessary for most people. If kids see people wearing face masks, explain that those
people are being extra cautious.
• Stick to routine. “We don’t like uncertainty, so staying rooted in routines and predictability is going to
be helpful right now,” advises Dr. Domingues. Make sure you are taking care of the basics just like you
would during a holiday. Structured days with regular mealtimes and bedtimes are an essential part of
keeping kids happy and healthy.
• Keep talking. Tell kids that you will continue to keep them updated as you learn more. “Let them know
that the lines of communication are going to be open,” says Dr. Domingues. “You can say, ‘Even though
we don’t have the answers to everything right now, know that once we know more, mum or dad will