Dear Parents, 

Next week is National Child Protection Week. In 2024, the National Child Protection Week message that ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’ will be complemented with the theme ‘Every conversation matters’.

Conversations are powerful tools to keep children and young people safe and well.

Conversations can help us understand issues, craft solutions, value community knowledge, and build the brains and social connections of children and young people.

Child Safety is extremely important to us at St Angela of the Cross and students will be completing activities in their classes next week based on this year’s theme. 

See videos below from Bishop and Director of Catholic Education Diocese of Sale, as well as videos of our school students below.

Important Health Notice

The Department of Health, Victoria, has issued a health alert regarding a rise in pertussis (whooping cough) cases in the state.  

Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory illness, often characterised by a persistent cough, which can lead to life-threatening infections in babies.

Please be vigilant and monitor your child for any symptoms of respiratory illness, especially those resembling a cough. Given that the early symptoms of pertussis can be very similar to other respiratory infections, it is crucial to seek a diagnosis from your General Practitioner as soon as possible if your child exhibits any of these signs.

We kindly remind you to keep your child at home if they are unwell to help prevent the spread of illness within our school community. 

Exclusion Guidelines for Diagnosed Cases and Contacts

For diagnosed cases of pertussis:

• Students diagnosed with pertussis should be excluded from primary school for at least 21 days after the onset of the cough, or until they have completed five (5) days of effective antibiotic treatment.
• The treating doctor will handle the necessary notifications to the Department of Health.

For contacts of diagnosed cases:

• Exclusion applies only to contacts who meet all three of the following criteria:
• Are under 7 years of age;
• Are in the same class as the diagnosed student;
• Have not received three (3) effective doses of the pertussis vaccine.
• Students meeting these criteria should be excluded for 14 days after their last exposure to the infectious case, or until they have completed five (5) days of effective antibiotic treatment.

Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated as we work together to ensure the health and safety of all our students.

Thank you for your ongoing support. 

Justin Greenwood 
Principal