Dear Parents and Caregivers

There have been an increasing number of positive COVID cases recently. As a consequence, on the advice of the Victorian Chief Health Officer, all Victorian Catholic schools are required to transition to remote and flexible learning arrangements for the period of Monday 15 February 2021 to the conclusion of Wednesday 17 February 2021.

Kolbe Catholic College will reactivate remote learning for this period of time.

As we act to slow the spread of coronavirus, it is required that all children who can learn at home must learn from home. The health and safety of everyone in our school community must remain our highest priority.

Schools are able to make exceptions for vulnerable children and for the children of parents engaged in essential services, who cannot make alternative arrangements. We therefore anticipate a small number of students who may need on-site supervision at Kolbe Catholic College. Importantly, those students who must attend school will not be receiving direct instruction, rather they will be supervised by a small number of teachers.

Our remote learning plan (available for download via Operoo, SEQTA and the College Website) will be in effect for this period of time and therefore students at home, or on-site, will be engaged in the same learning. Remote learning may raise some concerns, especially related to the VCE and VCAL. Mr Calleja will publish ongoing bulletins to clarify expectations and answer any questions that may arise.

If you believe your family is unable to facilitate remote learning due to being essential workers or for other specific reasons, please complete the following survey by midday on Sunday 14 February 2021 to enable us to plan appropriate supervision and support. A member of staff will contact each family seeking supervision to discuss your specific needs.

https://docs.google.com/forms/... sf_link

The structure of an onsite day will be published once we ascertain the number of people seeking supervision. I can clarify that the College gates will remain closed to vehicular traffic, other than some staff attending on site. Students attending may access the College via Gate 2. Parents and caregivers are asked to phone the College with enquiries rather than attend on site. Please note that any students requiring on site supervision will need to make their own way to school and to bring their own lunch etc as bus services will not be operating nor will the canteen be serving food.

In relation to your own health and wellbeing, please note that the Victorian government is regularly updating “new and updated exposure sites” on its website

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/case-locations-and-outbreaks-covid-19

I encourage you to monitor this and follow their advice if you have visited the relevant sites.

We are absolutely committed to working with you through these challenging times. The health and safety of everyone in our school community must remain our highest priority. Thank you for your ongoing understanding at this difficult time.

Yours sincerely

Mr Nick Scully
Principal