From the Principal

The past few weeks have been particularly challenging for all Melbournians. New COVID outbreaks have brought another round of fear and anxiety into our community.

The return to remote learning, the imposition of more social restrictions - including not being able to travel over the long weekend and possibly over the school holidays, has led to a general malaise which is hard to shake off.

Add to this the recent devastating storms that caused flooding and serious damage to homes and power outages and it is easy to see why the wellbeing of our school community is of great concern.

To those families who are experiencing difficulties at this time, I extend the school’s compassion and support. If we can assist you or your child in any way during this difficult time, please reach out to us, and please ensure you keep the school informed of any issues affecting your family so we can put appropriate support in place for your child.

A Happy Return

The bright spot for the teaching staff this week was the return of all our students to school. It really was a delight to see our students enthusiastically return to school. The feedback from both staff and students is that the classroom is the best place to learn and everyone is very happy to be back in their classrooms.

I again commend Casey Grammar School parents and teachers for the perseverance and resilience you have shown throughout Victoria’s four periods of remote learning. It is through your cooperation and endeavour that there has been minimal disruption to our student's learning. Thank you for prioritising the social, emotional and academic needs of our children during this difficult time.

Catching up on Assessments and Assemblies

Since their return to school, teaching staff have worked hard to catch up on all the assessments that need to be completed to finalise each child’s school report. Reports will be issued at 1.00 pm on Friday, 25 June (last day of Term 2).

One of the highlights of the Junior School program is the Junior School assemblies so it was very disappointing to have to postpone the assemblies prepared by 2H, 5D and 1B. I know the children, and their teachers, were very excited to present the assembly they had put so much time and thought into preparing.

We look forward to seeing these assemblies when we are permitted to gather together again in Term 3. The School Production is also on hold until we receive permission to go ahead. We hope to present High School Musical to you early in Term 3.

A Reminder of Current COVID Rules

It is easy to become confused about the current COVID protocols as they keep changing so often. A reminder that the current restrictions require:

  • all people over 12 years of age to wear a mask indoors
  • COVID hygiene protocols to be followed including social distancing, regular hand sanitising and staying at home if you feel unwell
  • regular environmental cleaning and sanitising
  • limiting school access (only essential visitors are permitted and are limited to the Reception area)
  • QR coding of all visitors.

Throughout the COVID crisis, the school has followed the advice and guidelines of the Victorian Government and the Chief Health Officer. On behalf of the School, I thank all members of our school community for their cooperation with the constantly changing COVID safety protocols.

Making Choices

The past couple of weeks have been an exciting time for Senior School students as they carefully consider their future pathways and submit their elective choices for 2022. The subject selections have now all been submitted and the 2022 timetable will be created based on the student’s subject choices. Course counselling will continue over coming weeks and into Term 3.

Queensland Travel Update

As the School holidays approach, I have been asked by the Queensland Chief Health Officer to communicate Queensland border entry requirements. These are entry requirements as at 14 June.

Queensland has declared all 36 Local Government Areas in Greater Melbourne as COVID-19 hotspots; no other areas in Victoria are declared hotspots.

This means that people wishing to enter Queensland who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the 14 days prior to their arrival in Queensland must:

  • Complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass prior to arrival in Queensland
  • Only arrive in Queensland by air
  • Quarantine in a government managed quarantine facility for 14 days at their own expense on entry.

The Queensland Chief Health Officer continues to monitor border requirements for Victoria. It is hoped that this information will assist you to prepare for the school holidays should border controls still be in place.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD).

The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2021).

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

  • year of schooling
  • category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
  • level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.

This information assists schools to:

  • formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools
  • consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools
  • develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.

The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability. The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process.

The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information.

To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy.

Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal.

If you have any questions about the NCCD, please contact the school.

Mrs Fiona Williams

Principal