eNewsletter

No10 April 8


A Thank You From Leadership

I want to take the time to thank all the children, staff and parents/carers for making this term so fantastic. It is the end of another term and just like all the terms over the past few years, this one has been productive and also challenging.

This year we welcomed 12 happy prep students to the school community. Through the term they have found their feet and their voice. It has been wonderful to see how much they have already grown in all areas.

The term has been jam packed with opportunities to learn and experience and next term looks to have even more wonderful things to do and learn. 

I am very proud of the program that all the teachers have put together to support all the children. Every child in the school has benifited from the expertise that the wonderful teachers at KHPS have and the support everyone receives from the ES staff has enriched the learning enviroment and opportunities that your children have. I would like to thank all the school staff for the effort they have applied to this term.

Thank you to all the parents who have slowly crept past the gate and have become a part of the school community again. It is great to see parents coming in to help with readers and to interact with staff. I want to encourage all parents to come into the school as often as possible. We are a community of students, parents and staff so we should all be together.

I would not be alone in needing to thank Pauline Horton for all the work that she does at the office. There is not enough room to acknowledge all the different roles she takes onboard that go above and beyond her job. You have helped numerous parents, students and staff throughout this term and we thank you.

Lastly, I would like to thank the Principal, Kerryn Riley for all the support she shows to everyone involved with the school. Her visions and careful planning have ensured that your children learn in a beautifully kept enviorment, surrounded by the best education staff. 

From Jeremy Bodley

It's Almost Holiday Time

It is almost time for the school holidays. Take some time to have a look and see what is available to do!

Karingal Heights does not necessarily endorse all of these programs.

Team Kids



Keeping Covid Safe for Term 2

Thank you everyone for being diligent when protecting your children and others from COVID. The current expectations will remain in place around Rapid Antigen Testing. Schools will remain open for onsite learning in term 2 with all children and staff being expected to perform Rapit Antigen Tests two times per week. RAT kits will be suppied till week 4 at this stage and we will wait for further news on if this will be extended.

School Tours

2023 school tours have started. Please call our office on 9789 3288 if you would like to organise a tour or drop in to pick up an enrolment pack. We look forward to welcoming your to Karingal Heights Primary School.

Your child is now eligible to be vaccinated

Children aged 5 to 11 will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations from 10 January 2022. Dear parents and carers

Children aged 5 to 11 will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations from 10 January 2022.

These vaccinations will be available at participating general practices (GPs), pharmacies, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and state vaccination centres.

The vaccine is one third of the adult dose and will be delivered at 2 separate appointments, expected to be 8 weeks apart. The time between the two doses can be shortened in special circumstances, such as in an outbreak response or for international travel.

The commencement of the program from 10 January 2022 provides an opportunity for all children aged 5 to 11 to receive at least one vaccine dose before they return to school, and their second dose before the end of Term 1 2022.

You are strongly encouraged to book your child or children in to receive their first vaccination before Term 1 begins. 

COVID-19 vaccines have been tested, and shown to be safe and effective in protecting against serious illness and reducing the likelihood of COVID-19 spreading. They are important to protect you and your loved ones from COVID-19 and to reduce disruption to your child’s education and out-ofschool activities.

Vaccination is not mandatory to attend school, but it is highly encouraged to keep all children and their families safe.

How to book an appointment
Bookings will be available later in December 2021.

You will be able to book a vaccine appointment at a participating general practice (GPs), pharmacy or community health service, or at state vaccination centres through the Vaccine Clinic Finder.

Victorian Coronavirus Hotline
The Department of Health’s Coronavirus Hotline 1800 675 398 can assist you with bookings at general practice (GPs), pharmacy and state vaccination centres, and help with any questions you have about vaccination.

What to bring
For information on what to bring to a vaccine appointment please visit Checklist: before your COVID19 vaccination.

Support for students with disability or special requirements
There is extra support for students with disabilities and specialist requirements to access COVID-19 vaccinations.

Parents of children with disability who need extra assistance to access a vaccination should contact specialist Disability Liaison Officers who can help make the process easier.

The Association for Children with a Disability will hold a Facebook live session for families with children with additional needs on Tuesday 11 January at 10.30am. Register online.

Parent and community webinars
Experts from the Royal Children’s Hospital will hold a Facebook live session – ‘COVID-19 vaccinations for 5- to 11-year-olds: Your questions answered’ on Thursday 16 December at 11am. Refer to the Facebook page for more information.

The Department of Health and leading medical research organisations will run webinars for parents and carers about COVID-19 vaccinations for 5- to 11-year-old children. Details to follow.

More information
Resources are available to help you and your child or children prepare for the vaccination:
Needle phobia - The Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC)  (mcri.edu.au)
Tips to help a child afraid of needles and stop it becoming a phobia -      ABC Everyday 
• COVID-19 vaccination social scripts - Amaze - Autism resource
• Sesame Street ABC of COVID vaccines

The Victorian Government’s coronavirus.vic.gov.au website also has information about COVID-19 vaccines in 63 community languages.

To ensure the safest start to the 2022 school year for your child or children, I encourage you to help them get vaccinated before they return to school.

Kind regards

Stephen Fraser
Deputy Secretary
School Education Programs and Support