Welcome to Term 4. I trust everyone has had an enjoyable school holiday and that our students feel refreshed and ready to tackle the challenges of Term 4.

University Early offers

Over the past few weeks, universities have been offering students early offers.

It is exciting to see the large number of Casey Grammar students who have secured an early offer to the university of their choice.

I commend these students and thank our wonderful Careers Counsellor, Ms Sarah Blythman, who is supporting all students as they embark on their various post-school pathways.

Foundation Building

The builder’s site shed has been installed and we expect the new Foundation Building to commence very soon.

We will send parents an updated traffic management plan, including modified parking arrangements, before the builders commence construction.

Covid Update

The Victorian Government recently announced changes to the COVID isolation rules.

From Monday 14 October, we are no longer required to isolate in our homes for 5 days after a positive COVID RAT or PCR test. While there are significantly less COVID infections being reported at the moment, COVID is still in our community.

At Casey Grammar we wish to remain as COVID free as possible. We will continue to follow our COVID-safe protocols which include social distancing (where possible), opening windows, using air purifiers and practicing good hygiene, including regular hand sanitising.

Face masks are optional while at school

If Your Child is Unwell

While we are no longer required to isolate when positive, in order to keep our community as COVID free as possible, it is an expectation that if your child is unwell, they stay at home until they are well again.

Students who are unwell or show any COVID symptoms at school will be sent to the school nurse, then parents/guardians will be contacted to collect their child.

The Government still requires all COVID positive cases to be reported. If your child is unwell, you should give them a RAT, report positive results to the government and keep your child at home until they are well again. We have a large stock of Rapid Antigen Tests available at the reception desk, so please stock up if you are running low.

Thunderstorm Asthma — Be Prepared This Pollen Season

Grass pollen season, which runs from October to December each year, brings an increase in asthma and hay fever symptoms.

It also increases the risk of thunderstorm asthma https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/thunderstorm-asthma.

For people with asthma or hay fever, especially those who experience wheezing or coughing with their hay fever, thunderstorm asthma can be sudden, serious and even life threatening. 

Casey Grammar will implement a range of measures to keep our school community safe when the risk of thunderstorm asthma increases.

Many of our staff are trained in asthma first aid, and we will monitor the Victoria Emergency app to receive thunderstorm warnings and, where appropriate, keep students indoors when weather forecasts identify greater level of risk.

How you can prepare?

During pollen season, there are some things you can do to prepare and protect yourself and your family:

• If your child has ever had asthma: Talk to your doctor about what you can do to help protect them from the risk of thunderstorm asthma, including updating your asthma action plan. Taking an asthma preventer properly and regularly is key to preventing asthma, including thunderstorm asthma

• If your child has hay fever: See your pharmacist or doctor for a hay fever treatment plan and check if you should have an asthma reliever puffer. These are available from a pharmacy without a prescription
  
• If your child has hay fever and experiences wheezing and coughing: It is important to make sure they don’t also have asthma. Speak to your doctor about an asthma action plan
  
• Where possible, avoid being outside during thunderstorms from October to December - especially during the wind gusts that come before the storm. Go inside and close your doors and windows. If you have your air conditioning on, turn it to ‘recirculate’.

Remain vigilant for COVID-19

It is important for students to manage any hay fever or asthma symptoms, as these conditions can produce symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss or change to sense of smell or taste, which are similar to COVID-19 symptoms.

If your child experiences these symptoms in different or worse ways to their usual hay fever or asthma symptoms, medical advice should be sought.

For more information, visit your general practitioner (GP) or visit the Better Health Channel https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/thunderstormasthma

Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road update

The widening of Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road is progressing according to plan. This flyer which outlines the next stage of the road widening process. Soon there will be some detours in the area for pedestrians.

If your child walks to school, please make sure they understand the importance of staying on the designated pathways for their own safety.

Class of 2022

Planning is well under way to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2022.

We are looking forward to the Valedictory Assembly and Valedictory Dinner which will be held on 19 October.

With the help of their dedicated teachers, our Year 12 students are in the midst of revising and preparing for their VCE examinations. We wish them all the best during this very busy time!

Mental Health month

October is Mental Health month.

At Casey Grammar, we actively support the development of strong mental health in our students and staff. Throughout this month, students will continue to participate in a range of mental health activities so they may grow strong and resilient.

Tests, exams and assessments are an important part of school life. The mere mention of these to some teens can cause anxiety to escalate. I recommend the article below by Dr Deborah Trengove to parents of anxious teens. She shares her strategies to help overcome the feeling during testing times.

https://theparentswebsite.com.au/testing-times-how-to-deal-with-exam-anxiety/