Important Update from John Cortese - 23 October 2022

Dear Parents and Families,

We look forward to welcoming all our staff and students back to school on tomorrow, Monday 24 October 2022.

If your child cannot safely get to school, teachers are maintaining the google classroom and will post details and digital resources for each timetabled class. Students are asked to do what they can and stay connected with their teachers. All student absences should be advised by either emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phoning the College.

VCE/Scored VET Unit 3/4 Subjects: reminder that teachers will be available as per timetable to assist students in the lead up to the VCAA exams commencing on Wednesday. Students are encouraged to work closely with their teachers in preparation for the exams.

The floods have seen an increase in mosquito activity at both Knight Street and Emmaus campus, so we highly recommend you bring roll on or cream-based repellent to protect yourself for the journey and during recess and lunch time.  Students are permitted to wear you long PE tracksuit pants or winter trousers without infringement whilst the mosquitoes are problematic.

Bus Service Update

Jacobson’s Update 24/10/2022 3.15pm

• Murchison township students who normally travel on Bus 22 are to board Bus 33 to school, same bus stops and same times – same for the return trip home. Bus drivers will explain transfer buses to students on board, Jodi from Jacobson’s will be at the Mooroopna Interchange in the morning to assist students with the transfers.

• Bunbartha – Bus 3 - due to flood water there is NO Service and NO access to the Shepparton Barmah Road.  This will be looked at daily.  

• Mooroopna Town Services – only Lenne Street is still affected. Please go to the next safest bus stop and board there.

Dyson’s Update 23/10/2022 10.30am

• Running all buses with some minor adjustments where there may still be some water.

Ford’s Update 24/10/2022 2.30pm

• Running all buses with some minor adjustments where there may still be some water.
• Mooroopna Interchange will move to Mooroopna Football Oval Car Park.

Fitzpatrick’s Update 23/10/2022 12.45pm

• Tallygaroopna, Zeerust, Nathalia Road then to Shepparton Bus 7 will run with some minor adjustments, all stops will remain the same.

Cardwell’s

• Bus routes are running as normal.

Talarico’s

• Bus routes are running as normal.

Please be patient as there may be delays. Students will not be left behind. Please ask your child/children to talk to the bus driver if they have any concerns. The drivers all have communication with each other and will be happy to assist.

You are welcome to ring your local bus operator if you require any further details on your child’s bus route.

Best wishes and we look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Yours sincerely,

John Cortese
Principal 

Important Update from John Cortese - 21 October 2022

Dear Parents and Families,

We look forward to welcoming all our staff and students back to school on Monday, 24 October 2022.

It’s really important we work together to re-establish learning routines that were so abruptly interrupted by the floods.

If your child can’t safely get to school, teachers are maintaining the google classroom and will post details and digital resources for each timetabled class. Students are asked to do what they can and keep in touch with their teachers.  All student absences should be advised by either emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phoning the College.

Our bus companies expect to operate all services as normal. However, they have advised:

• If your usual bus stop remains impacted by floodwaters or a road closure, please go to your next closest stop.
• There may be traffic delays in some areas, including the causeway linking Mooroopna and Shepparton.
• If students are worried about making a connection to another service, they should alert the bus driver.

The floods have seen an increase in mosquito activity at both Knight Street and Emmaus campus so we highly recommend you bring roll on or cream based repellent to protect yourself for the journey and during recess and lunch time.  You will be permitted to wear you long PE tracksuit pants or winter trousers without infringement.

Teachers are working hard to adjust and modify learning programs given the loss to class time in the lead up to the whole school Early Commencement Programme starting on the 28 November.

VCAA exams have arrived, and we are busy preparing for exams commencing with English this Wednesday 26 October. Please note:

• Students are encouraged to do their best and complete their exams if they can safely get to school.
• The exam timetable has not changed.
• Notre Dame will apply for a DES: Derived Examination Score for all students for all their exams. The DES is a backup for students – if students can’t attend or due to recent circumstances they don’t perform to their expected level. The highest score, either your exam or DES, will be used to calculate your Study Score.

For the current Year 10 and Year 11 students, the College is determining the next steps regarding their end of year exams and we will have more information about this in the coming days.

We are extremely grateful and proud of the efforts of our amazing community; staff, students and families assisting others. Special shoutout to Rosie – the College wellbeing dog who has been working hard to support Mrs Reynoldson’s property during the floods.

It is important to recognise and acknowledge that a critical incident is rarely ‘over’ when the initial days are complete. For some, the impact will be enduring and require ongoing support. Ongoing recovery is critical to the overall wellbeing of students, staff and the community.  Be reassured that anyone requiring support, we’re here to help.

Parents and students should keep in contact with your Pastoral Group Leaders, Heads of House and Community and the Wellbeing Team should they feel they need to.

Best wishes and stay safe for the weekend we look forward to seeing you Monday.

Yours sincerely,

John Cortese
Principal

Important Update from John Cortese - 20 October 2022

Dear Parents and Families,

School Flood Update:

Thank you for your support of our school and community over the past week. The contact that we have received, reaffirming our decision to close this week has been appreciated. It is pleasing to see the water receding quicker than expected.

Our school and Catholic Education Sandhurst’s (CES Ltd) priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students. To ensure this we will continue to follow the guidance of Emergency Services and the advice provided by CES Ltd.

Yesterday the School Leadership team met to review the current situation. This communication is again intended to provide a sense of longer-term clarity through these unpredictable times.

The current advice from Emergency Services and CES Ltd is that more rains are expected towards the end of this week and a significant rain event is expected Monday and Tuesday of next week.  There will be understandable anxiety in our community about this possibility.

At this point in time, we are not deciding to close our school. Our hope is to be able to return to full school operations on Monday. However, the Principals of the Greater Shepparton Area Catholic Schools are gathering on Sunday to evaluate the advice provided from the relevant authorities and assess the current situation with the possibility of closing schools on Monday and Tuesday. Communication will be circulated to all families on Sunday afternoon or earlier, to confirm our plans for next week.

Learning Programs

In the event the College remains closed on Monday, or students are unable to attend school.

Teachers will be providing details of timetabled lessons through the google classroom.

This will include learning intentions and access to digital resources. We appreciate that some students and families in difficult circumstances may be unable to engage with the learning program at this stage.  We encourage students to do what’s possible and maintain contact with their subject teachers and Heads of House.

Helping Children and young people after natural events

After a flood, children may need comfort, reassurance, and support, and to know that they are safe and are being looked after.

• Find out what they know of the flood
• Listen to any concerns they may have
• Monitor exposure to media stories of the flood
• Be aware of how you talk
• Look after yourself
• Seek additional support if required

Student Wellbeing

If you have any specific, urgent or immediate concerns with regard to the mental health or the wellbeing of your child, please access the following resources:

• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
• Life Line: 13 11 14
• Headspace: https://headspace.org.au

USEFUL LINKS

• For weather forecasts, including weather warnings please monitor the Bureau of Meteorology website
• For emergency incidents and advice, including Emergency Warnings and Watch and Act Alerts please monitor the Vic Emergency website
• For information on road closures across Victoria, please monitor the VicTraffic website
• For sandbagging collection points, please visit the SES website

We will continue to update you as more information comes to hand.  Thank you for your ongoing support and we hope you and your family continue to stay safe during these challenging times.

Yours sincerely,

John Cortese
Principal 

Important Update from John Cortese - 17 October 2022

These are certainly challenging times and we’re all doing the best we can. We’ve had directives from local authorities and Catholic Education Sandhurst that we must prioritise the safety of our staff and students and are unable to reopen the College this week. The support you continue to give each other, our students, staff and the wider Shepparton Community is very much appreciated.

Some of our staff and students have had water through their homes in recent days, many are stuck in their houses with water in their streets. We will shortly be sending you an SMS with a link to a survey as we would like to know how you are travelling as the flooding in our area unfolds.

We are very proud of the efforts we have heard our students have been making to support their families and the community over the past few days and wish to thank them for all they are doing.

Continuing Learning

There will be no formal remote learning classes provided for students this week. However, we do encourage all students to continue their learning this week if they are able. Some suggestions to help them do this include:

• Read over your notes for your subjects
• Complete any unfinished work that is already on Google Classroom
• If you have access to power, use your online learning tools, such as Style, Jacaranda Online, Quizlet, Math Pathways etc.
• Create summaries of the work you have been doing in class prior to this week
• Read a novel
• Talk to someone in your home about what you’ve been learning and try to explain it to them

Students studying VCE/VET Unit 3/4 subjects

Students studying VCE/VET Unit 3/4 subjects are encouraged to continue to prepare for VCAA exams. Subject teachers will continue to load material onto the Google Classroom and where possible, be available to support students complete practice exams and worked solutions. As soon as school resumes, subject teachers will be available as per timetable until the scheduled exam.

Unit 3 and 4 students will receive an email from Susan Nabbs (Director of Learning and Teaching) with more details about exam arrangements and accessing support very soon.

Year 12 Final Week Events / 2023 Student Leaders

We will cancel all events this week and look to rescheduling a day which includes mass, rites of passage and assembly on Thursday 17 November. More details will follow.

2023 Student Leaders will be announced next week in an alternate format.

Cancellations

• Game Changers Camp to Phillip Island
• Outdoor Ed Camps scheduled for next week
• All Year 8 Camps
• Various other excursions scheduled this week and next week

Families will be notified separately of these cancellations if their children are involved.

Displaced People

Local authorities using Stadium and/or Mons Bones Hall to provide shelter for those who need it. We will be an overflow location from McIntosh Centre.

Accessing support

Victorian Floods, October 2022 - Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
Victorian Emergency relief assistance payment

Please stay safe.

John Cortese
Principal