Business as Usual

It was such a pleasure to welcome back all our students as they arrived at school on Wednesday morning. I’m sure it is a relief for parents to have all their children back at school full-time. Keeping track of the staggered days for each year level was a headache for all of us!

Our VCE students have been working through their final examinations. The smiles as they leave the exam room speak not only of their relief that another exam is over, but also satisfaction that they have done their best. We wish all our senior students good luck as they complete exams over the coming weeks.

Last week I happened to be near the Year 6 classrooms when they exploded with cheering. The Year 6 teachers had just informed the students that they WILL be going on a school camp this year after all! After two years of camp disappointments, the students were elated to learn they could finally go on camp. What a fantastic way to celebrate the end of Year 6.

We are currently operating in an environment where new positive COVID cases are being identified on a daily basis. For many people living in Casey and its surrounds, these positive cases are people we work with—they are our friends, neighbours and perhaps our family members.

It is therefore important that you know what to do if you, or someone you live with, is COVID positive.

People who come in contact with a person who is COVID positive are known as Primary Close Contacts (PCCs). The Department of Health will send a SMS to PCCs advising them of their quarantine, testing and quarantine release dates. Please note that this message could take some days to arrive, so it is important that you know what to do while you are waiting for these instructions from the Health Department.

What to do if a member of your Household is COVID positive

As soon as any member of your household has a COVID test, your children should not attend school until receiving a negative test result. Please do not bring children to school while you are waiting for COVID test results for any member of your household.

As soon as you are made aware of a COVID positive member in your household, you should:

Ensure your children do not attend school
Test all members of your household
Go into quarantine

Junior School students must quarantine for 14 days. They can return to school once they have submitted their negative Day 13 COVID test to the School nurse.

Vaccinated Senior School students must quarantine for seven days. They can return to school once they have submitted their negative Day 6 COVID test to the School nurse.

Unvaccinated Senior School students must quarantine for 14 days. They can return to school once they have submitted their negative Day 13 COVID test to the School nurse.

All negative test results must be submitted to the School nurse, Mrs Kerrin Laws, before children can return to school. Submit the test results via email to k.laws@caseygrammar.vic.edu.au

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

Principal