Principal's Newsletter
10th June 2020. Principal. 1054 page views. Principal's Note, Assistant Principal’s Report, Attendance and Learning, Hygiene and Cleaning, Physical Distancing, Thoughts and Reflections from our Staff about Remote Learning, Latest Update from the Department of Health, Borrowed Laptops, Homework Club, Rugby Academy News and Wellbeing Resources.
Principal's Note
By Pete Hanratty
I’m happy to report that we have enjoyed a seamless transition back to school for all of our students over the past two weeks concluding on Tuesday with our Junior and Middle School students returning to onsite learning. It has been fantastic to have them all back and we feel some normality of routine and familiarity returning to our school environment. I have enjoyed walking through a once again busy Campus and seeing all of our students happy and energetic faces.
To ensure the on-going safety of our school community we would appreciate if families could continue to keep any student who has a cold or flu-like symptoms at home. If your child, or any member of your household, is tested for COVID-19 it is necessary that you keep your child home until the outcome of the test has been communicated. We would also appreciate notification of testing as soon as it is practical to ensure that we can minimise the risk of transmission here at school. Our teaching staff are well aware of how important it is to keep students home and they are ready to support our students who are absent for this reason.
We also appreciate the continued support of our families, which has certainly contributed to the calm and positive attitude that was evident in our students upon their return.
Assistant Principal’s Report
By Ms C Bamberg, Mr. Duyal and Mr. Uwins
Early Dismissal – Friday 26th June 2020 (Final day of Term 2)
The students will be dismissed at 2.30 pm on Friday 26th June 2020.
School Photographs
The student photos ordered by families will be distributed to the students next week.
Uniform Requirements Update
Fountain Gate Secondary College is a uniform College that has been set out by the College School Council. It is a requirement that all students wear the full school uniform, including school shoes, to and from school.
When timetabled for Physical Education or Sport Education classes, all students are required to wear the full Physical Education uniform for Physical Education in Years 7 – 10 and for Sport Education in Years 7 & 8.
On the days when the students do not have Physical Education and Sport Education, they must wear their full school uniform. Students are not permitted to wear the tracksuit pants with their normal school uniform.
The official supplier is PSW Hampton Park, Unit 2/10-12 South Link Dandenong South. Phone: 9768-0343.
Girls School Uniform
Choose from:
- Summer - cotton College dress or uniform supplier navy trousers,
- Winter – College Skirt or uniform supplier navy trousers
- Polo shirt with College logo/Collared white shirt with logo and College tie
- Uniform supplier navy shorts/trousers
- White/Navy socks
- Practical and comfortable black lace up polished traditional school shoes
- Navy Blue woollen jumper with College logo.
- College school bag
- Hat/peaked cap with College logo
Boys School Uniform
Choose from:
- Polo shirt with College logo/Collared white shirt with logo and College tie
- Uniform supplier navy shorts/trousers
- White/Navy socks
- Practical and comfortable black lace up polished traditional school shoes
- Navy Blue woollen jumper with College logo.
- College school bag
- Hat/peaked cap with College logo
Unisex Fountain Gate Physical Education Uniform
Choose from:
- Fountain Gate PE T Shirt and PE shorts
- Fountain Gate navy blue track suit
- Comfortable sports shoes
- Hat/Peaked cap with College logo
Students must be in full school uniform:
- During school hours
- When travelling to and from school, and on excursions (unless given alternative arrangements)
- When participating in school activities out of school hours
- Up to and including the last day of school, unless previous arrangements have been made via the newsletter or a letter sent home to parent/guardian
The student’s uniform must be clean, neat and tidy at all times, and worn as intended. Buttons, zips, buckles, laces etc. must be done up and shirts, other than polo shirts must be tucked in. If students are not in the correct uniform, they may be sent home after parents have been contacted, and students may not be permitted to participate in excursions if not in full school uniform. If uniform is not required (eg. Free Dress Days), parents/guardians will be notified in writing.
SHOES
School shoes - Traditional black, lace-up leather, polishable school shoes are required. Black runners are not acceptable. Girls may wear T Bar sandals which have a solid sole and leather uppers, shoes which are flimsy and similar to ballet slippers will not be permitted. Girls are required to have the buckles secured. If they are broken they must be repaired or replaced. We have a number of areas which require feet to be fully covered e.g. Science Laboratory, Technology Rooms, Home Economics Kitchens for safety reasons. Note: Casual shoes such as Vans which are sold as school shoes do NOT meet our School Uniform Policy.
Note: Hoodies are NOT to be worn at school.
Attendance and Learning
- From the 9th June, classes will resume their regular timetabling. Please follow your regular timetable on Compass. We will change some rooms around so make sure you check before you come to school.
- All students are required to resume regular classes. The Victorian Chief Health Officer has made it clear it is safe for you to return to school. Regular attendance requirements will apply.
- The only reason to stay home is if you are unwell. In this case, see a doctor to get a medical certificate. Even if you live in a house with a vulnerable person, it is still safe for you to come to school. There may be a few of you who have a compromised immune system. We need you to contact your Specialist and submit a letter from them stating you cannot come to school.
- Your teachers have worked hard to create great learning opportunities for you in the final weeks of Term 2, so please come prepared ready to learn.
- You will have access to your lockers, so make sure you remember your locker code, or ask Ms Frost or Ms Chiswell via Teams before Tuesday.
Hygiene and Cleaning
Note: There will be cleaners working during the day to ensure a high level of cleanliness. They will clean high-touch points like toilets, door handles and shared equipment.
It’s really important you are responsible for your own hygiene. We must work together and ensure:
- You sanitise your hands when you get to school and before you leave, and regularly throughout the day
- You clean hands prior and after touching shared equipment like basketballs, computers and art tools
- You clean your hands after visiting the toilet, coughing and eating
- You bring your own drink bottle and do not use the drinking fountain
- Teachers will have hand sanitiser in each class for you to use. You must wash your hands before entering any classrooms.
At the end of this guide is a reminder of the best way to clean your hands and maintain hygiene practices.
Physical Distancing
Students
The risk of transmission to and between students remains very small, however, we need to protect each other as much as possible, including teachers and staff who are at a higher risk than you. Therefore, to reduce congestion in the yard:
- Students must drink out of personal water bottles and can only use the water fountains at school to fill their bottles.
- Makes sure you do not crowd around locker bays. Wait patiently and try to keep your distance.
- Mobile phone and uniform policies still apply, however, teachers are not expected to touch the phone but rather use the zip lock provided.
- No more than two students can be in the sub schools offices at any time.
- The Table Tennis facilities can be used, however, you must clean your hands before and after use. The equipment will be regularly cleaned throughout the day.
- Make sure you bring your own equipment, we cannot lend out pencils or pens for you to borrow
- Make sure you dress warm as many classrooms will have windows open
The Chief Health Officer makes it clear that it’s okay to have 26 students in each classroom, as long as you practise good hygiene.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Unfortunately, we have to cancel some events in order to protect the school community. This includes:
- All camps and excursions
- Inter-school Sports
- Assemblies and whole school events.
Lunchtime and Recess
- The Canteen will only be open for lunch orders and snacks. It gets really busy and we can’t have too many people queueing up, so we recommend you bring your lunch to school.
- Make sure you are washing your hands regularly, and keeping your distance as much as possible.
Thoughts and Reflections from our Staff about Remote Learning
Some of our Staff have shared their thoughts and reflections about remote learning and what they are excited about returning to onsite learning for (mainly our awesome students!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8TrG153d5g
Latest Update from the Department of Health
'Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said great progress had been made in Victoria slowing the spread of coronavirus, thanks to Victorians playing their part, staying at home and getting tested.
“Our low rate of community transmission means we have been able to ease some restrictions in time for the long weekend, but it’s still important to stay safe,” Professor Sutton said.
“Although it’s tempting to rush out or have your friends over or head out to a cafe, it is important that we all still use common sense.
“That means continuing to maintain physical distance from others, practice good hygiene - wash your hands regularly and cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, avoid crowds, be cautious and if you’re unwell stay home and get tested.
Borrowed Laptops
We request all families who have borrowed a laptop from the College during Distance Learning to please return the laptop ASAP if it has not already been collected.
Homework Club
The College's Homework Club will be resuming this week on Thursday (11/6) from 3:30 until 4:30 in G4.

First Day Back for our Junior and Middle School Students
Our Year 7 and 8 students enjoying some delicious 'Welcome Back' cookies from Ms Craig and the Junior Sub School on Tuesday!

Rugby Academy News
With the return to school, our academy students are lucky enough to be able to resume rugby trainings in class and continue developing their core rugby skills and fitness. It has been excellent to see our students returning with the same commitment to the sport and to our academy!
During distance learning the students had time to work on their Sport and Recreation Certificates, and individual training of their choice. Also during our time away from school, we managed to drop off 25 of the schools old and spare rugby balls to the students that indicated they didn’t have one, so they could all have the opportunity to practice their skills and to use while still at home. These are now theirs to keep and to use when at home or down at the park.
Unfortunately due to the current circumstances, there is a lot of uncertainty around the return to play for school rugby and gala days/competitions next term, and we are awaiting news from Rugby Vic on how the rest of the year may look. The good news is that community and club rugby is returning for the students involved with teams outside of school, and they will be back out on the rugby pitch playing very soon. We wish to see all of the rugby academy players excelling in the sport and standing out in their age grades. mr Ritani also looks forward to catching our students down at their club games and seeing them play.
The College Pre-Academy for our Year 7 and 8 students has been put on hold for the remainder of the term, but more information will be put out for the potential start-up for that in Term 3.
As an Academy we strive to keep our standards high, and continue to maintain these standards throughout the year no matter the disruptions we face!
Wellbeing Tips and Resources
This time can be overwhelming; it’s normal to feel anxious, worried and uncertain. We recommend you speak to someone you trust about this, whether that a member of your family, sub school or a teacher. If these feelings start impacting on your daily life, we will recommend you speak to a professional, whether that’s at school or through your GP.
Staying mindful when you’re at school
Throughout the day, if you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, try to engage in activities that promote a sense of calm, reduce those feelings of anxiety and help you to feel grounded. There are many ways we can do this and when we do, it can help our brain to work better. There are many different meditating techniques you can embed into your daily routine. Essentially, meditating is where you try and focus on one thing and tune out what’s happening around you. There are many techniques you could try such as:
- 'Thrive Inside' component to foster on-going mental health during the Coronavirus period. Here is the link https://www.smilingmind.com.au/thrive-inside
- Breathing: This is a quick and easy way to manage your stress and anxiety. Breathing slowly can help you feel calmer and can be done anywhere. Give it a try. Close your eyes and try breathing in for a count of 6. Then out for a count of 6. Repeat this 5 times.
- The Body Scan: Make yourself comfortable and close your eyes. Breathe slowly. Now starting at your little toe, slowly focus on each party of your body, moving up until you get to the very top of your head. You’ll find that during this activity, your thoughts reduce and you focus more on breathing deeply. It helps you to feel calm and in balance.
Staying mindful when you’re at home
- Continue to practice the above meditating techniques, however, if these don’t work for you, there are many mindfulness apps you could try such as Calm and Headspace.
- Yoga. This focuses on breathing techniques, meditation and exercise all combined.
- Listen to music. This can help to regulate your emotions and improve your overall mood.
- Take a break from the news. Limit your media intake and only use trusted news sources.
- Continue to stay in touch with your friends via text, email, social media, video chat or telephone.
- Try to get outside every day for at least 30 minutes to complete some light exercise.
- On YouTube, there are many equipment-free routines you can complete from the comfort of your own lounge room for example, you could try ‘The Body Coach TV’ or ‘Yoga with Adriene’.
Other services and supports available
Immediate assistance – emergency situations
Emergency services (police/fire/ambulance) – 000
Hospitals
Hospitals Have an Emergency Department, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Casey Hospital - 62-70 Kangan Drive, Berwick 8768 1200
- Dandenong Hospital – 135 David Street, Dandenong 9554 1000
Medical Clinics & General Practitioners (Doctors)
- Call your regular Medical Clinic/General Practitioner (GP)
- Narregate Medical & Dental Centre – 60 Victor Crescent, Narre Warren 9771 2000
- Visit National Health Service Directory www.nhsd.com.au to find a local GP (doctor)
- After Hours GP Helpline - 1800 02 22 22
Emergency Housing
- WAYSS - 294-300 Thomas St, Dandenong - 9791 6111

Online Support
- Beyond Blue Support Service
- Kids Help Line Web or Email Support is available
Information and Resources
Telephone counselling and support
- Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800. 24 hours, 7 days a week
- Lifeline – 13 11 14. 24 hours, 7 days a week
- Beyond Blue Support Service – 1300 224 636. 24 hours, 7 days a week
- Headspace (Ages 12-25) – 1800 650 890. From 9am – 1am, 7 days a week
- Grief Line – 9935 7400. Midday – 3am, 7 days a week
- National Child Abuse Helpline - 1800 99 10 99. From 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday.
- 1800 RESPECT – Sexual Assault, Family Violence - 1800 737 732. 24 hours, 7 days a week
Counselling and Health Services (Ages 12 – 25 years)
- Headspace Narre Warren – 66 Victor Crescent Narre Warren 1800 367 968
- Headspace Dandenong – 196 Lonsdale Street Dandenong 1800 367 968
- City of Casey Youth Counselling Service – 52 Webb St Narre Warren 0417 347 909
Newsletter Disclaimer
Information provided in the Fountain Gate Secondary College Newsletter may contain content from various resources used to educate and inform our community on a range of topics. These sources being the Internet, DET, Headspace, Educational Websites, Community News, Articles and Magazines. The College takes no credit or claim to have written these articles.