Looking Forward to Students’ Return

On the weekend, we were very excited to learn that, following vaccination targets being met in Victoria, the staged return to onsite learning is being brought forward. All onsite schooling will commence full-time from Wednesday, 3 November 2021. We look forward to welcoming our students back to full-time face-to-face learning then.

The earlier return of students to full-time onsite learning is great news for our school community and our families. A range of school activities will now be able to take place as schools reflect the new community settings. This means that camps, interschool sport, excursions, school assemblies, music, singing and performances will be able to take place, in line with the community settings and vaccination requirements.

Face masks are not required outdoors by teachers or students but they will remain an important part of our classrooms and when we are out in the community.

We have taken a number of steps to support onsite learning including staff vaccination, classroom ventilation, physical distancing for staff and students, staggered start, finish and break times and mask wearing.

We will continue to encourage our students to remain safe and to practice good COVIDSafe behaviours for the remainder of Term 4.

Our school is following all prescribed COVIDSafe practises included in the chart below:

Three Vs: Ventilation, Vaccination and Vital COVIDSafe Steps

Adhering to the Department of Health’s COVIDSafe guidelines throughout this pandemic has served us well.

As you are aware, we recently had a COVID positive case reported to us. All staff and students who were considered Primary Close Contacts were tested and received a negative COVID test result.

I again thank all members of the Casey Grammar School community for their cooperation and adherence to the COVID hygiene and safety rules.

As you are aware, all staff and service providers to the school are required to be vaccinated. Vaccination for those aged 12 to 18-years-old is highly recommended and it is up to each parent to decide whether their child will be vaccinated and to make the vaccination appointments. Casey Grammar School will not be providing COVID vaccination at school.

The Class of 2021

Last week was a sad week for Year 12 students and their teachers as we said our goodbyes. The Class of 2021 has been an exceptional group. The two years of their VCE have been spent pivoting between face-to-face teaching and remote learning.

During that time they have dealt with adversity together and have encouraged each other through the gloomy months of remote learning. They have developed a new appreciation of the importance of friendship and the nurturing value of spending time in the company of friends. They continue to exude hope for the future and this year they have worked hard to achieve a better future for themselves.

On behalf of the Casey Grammar School community, I would like to thank each of them for their unique contributions to the school. I congratulate them on completing their VCE under very difficult circumstances. We wish them well in their future endeavours, knowing they have the resilience and strength to accomplish anything. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. The helplines listed in this document offer 24/7 Mental Health support.

Stay safe, stay well.

Fiona Williams