Canterbury

UPDATED: Welcome To The 2022 Junior School Year

UPDATED: Welcome To The 2022 Junior School Year

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back, or welcome for the first time, to Canterbury College and the 2022 school year!

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful festive break and could spend some valuable time with your family.

COVID-19 Campus Protocols

Here at Canterbury, our students, their families, our staff and the wider community’s health and safety is our highest priority.

Therefore, we have been very thorough with ensuring every staff member here is fully certified vaccinated against COVID-19.

The College implements a very clear COVID-Safe plan to best ensure the safety of our whole school community while here on campus.

Please be mindful that adults should limit gathering in groups at drop-off and pick-up time - in the carparks, outside classrooms, and out the front of the Junior School Administration office.

It is particularly important that parents do not congregate outside classrooms while learning is taking place, as this is also a distraction for our students.

With this in mind, we kindly ask that between the normal school hours of 8:30am - 3:15pm, that parents avoid entering the College grounds.

Maintaining good hand hygiene and staying home when sick are also crucial elements to ensuring the safety of our community.

We are also asking families to maintain the government’s social distancing advice to stay 1.5m away from other adults, and to keep wearing your face masks in public at our campus.

We will continue to keep families informed of any changes to regulations that may impact our College over the coming weeks.

Junior School Staffing

I am delighted to share with parents and carers that joining the Junior School leadership team for 2022 as Assistant Head of Junior School (Wellbeing) is Mrs Brittany Sinclair.

Brittany is a wonderful and experienced teacher across many areas of our Junior School, including the Early Learning Centre, Learning Support and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program.

Brittany is thrilled to be able to have a bigger positive influence on the wellbeing of our young students.

In the Assistant Head of Junior School (Learning) role will be Mr Jonathon Wheatley.

Jonathon is also a highly experienced teacher who is well-known in the Junior School, having taught at Canterbury for several years, and he brings a wealth of knowledge about curriculum, teaching and learning.

We also welcome the following staff to the Junior School for 2022:

Leigh Mayes – Acting Director of the Early Learning Centre
Leanne Lyle – Head of Learning Support
Mayang Hunter – Early Childhood Educator
Olivia Di Pasquale – Early Childhood Educator
Jigindri Singh – Early Childhood Educator
Leanne McGregor – Early Learning Centre Teacher
Jenna Pokoj – Early Learning Centre Teacher
Roohee Ali – Prep Teacher
Gareth Loveday – Year 1 Teacher
Candice Hope – Year 1 Teacher
Robert Ashford – Year 3 Teacher
Benjamin Woolacott – Year 5 Teacher
Melissa Daly – Learning Support Teacher
Natalie Birt – Learning Support Teacher
Sharna Te Hau – Years 4-9 Science Teacher
Daniel Clark – Years 4-9 Spanish Teacher
Sara Rosello Pedros – Prep-Year 9 Spanish Teacher
Kasie Calvert – College Paramedic

Campus Building Works

The campus has been a hive of activity over the Summer break with grounds and facilities building works.

On the oval a new playground has been constructed for use by the upper year levels of the Junior School.

We are looking forward to this playground promoting our students to be even more physically active, to support their social and physical development, and to inspire their imaginations through innovative, age-appropriate and safe play equipment.

Images are available on our Canterbury College Facebook and Instagram accounts.

The next time you enter the Junior School Administration building, I am sure you will notice its new look.

It has been renovated to provide a more welcoming and practical space for our students, parents and staff to access.

Mrs Mieken Augustin continues in her role as Junior School Administrator and is available from 8:00am - 4:00pm weekdays during Term-time.

School Uniforms

Due to COVID's production and shipping constraints beyond our control, there are some uniform items not available in our Uniform Shop or the affiliated The School Locker Room Superstore over at Loganholme.

We are hoping to have another shipment arrive shortly, after last week's delivery, however this cannot be guaranteed.

We ask that in the meantime, students substitute similar items.

Staff are cognisant of this delay and will certainly not penalise any student for wearing incorrect items.

We will communicate with families when stock arrives via MyCC, our website's News section, and on Facebook and Instagram - where current stock updates already exist.

However, we do expect that students will meet our very conservative and long-standing expectations regarding haircuts and hair colour, jewellery and nail polish when they return to campus on Monday 7 February 2022.

There is no specified colour raincoat that students are to wear over College uniforms, so any colour is acceptable.

Student watches must not have cellular connected capabilities, and if they do, they must be handed in at the Junior School Administration office each morning and collected each afternoon, like any mobile phone device.

The Uniform Policy is available on the College website and images have been provided on MyCC to support families.

There is also the Second-Hand Uniforms Buy Sell Swap Meet happening again THIS Saturday morning 5 February in the Canterbury Trade Training Centre Restaurant.

First Day Of School

A reminder that the first day of school back on campus is Monday 7 February 2022 and students should make their way to their new classrooms between 8:00am - 8:25am.

On the first day, students should wear their formal school uniform, and staff will be very understanding of any uniform items that are not yet available.

New Canterbury Families

We warmly welcome all new families to Canterbury, and kindly ask that new students - who did not attend any supervised learning sessions - make their way to our Discovery Centre Junior Library.

There you will be greeted by our staff and Year 6 student leaders, who will then escort you to your new classroom.

Stationery Drop-Off Day

An opportunity is available to drop stationery to your child’s classroom between 1:30pm - 3:30pm on Friday 4 February 2022.

Please bring all the items listed on your Stationery List with you, and place it on your child’s allocated desk in their classroom.

Please ensure that all items are individually named.

Teachers will be in the classrooms working during this time.

If you have not met your child’s class teacher for 2022, this is the perfect opportunity to say hi and put a friendly face to the name.

This day is optional, as stationery can also be dropped to classrooms on that following Monday first day of school.

Camp Australia – Coffee Van Monday 'Meet & Greet': COVID CANCELLED SORRY!

DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP ARRANGEMENTS

We know it is important for parents and carers to help settle their children into the new school year, as this helps set a positive tone for the year ahead.

Therefore, we understand that parents may need to come on campus in the morning to assist children to get settled, and to build connections with our community.

Morning Drop-Offs: Prep – Year 2

Students in Prep - Year 2 will be supervised in the meadow between 8:00am - 8:30am.

During this time, parents are very welcome to walk their children on campus and assist with their bags.

While classrooms will not be open during this time, as teachers will be busy preparing for the day ahead, you are welcome to email your child’s teacher at any time to arrange a meeting, if there is something you would like to discuss.

Duty teachers will also be on hand if there are any queries you may have.

The play equipment in the meadow will be completely accessible to students in the morning.

Morning Drop-Offs: Years 3–6

Years 3–6 students will be supervised on the oval between 8:00am - 8:30am.

During this time, parents are very welcome to walk their children on campus and assist them with their lockers, and then walk them down to the oval, where they will be supervised by our staff.

If you need to speak to a teacher, please email them to organise a suitable time.

Afternoon Pick-Ups: Prep – Year 6

Prep – Year 2 students, and any older siblings attending the school, can be collected after 3:15pm from the Easterly Street Carpark Pick-Up Zone, where they will be supervised until 3:45pm.

Years 3–6 students, who do not have younger siblings attending the school, can be collected after 3:15pm from the High Road Carpark Pick-Up Zone, where they will be supervised until 3:45pm.

Years 5–6 students, who do not have siblings attending the school, we now have a NEW pick-up location, which will help reduce the huge number of cars in the Easterly Street Carpark.

This new pick-up area is located a short walk across the oval from our Junior School, and is accessed via Entrance E on Old Logan Village Road, and along the internal road towards our Aquatic and Tennis Centre.

Students will not be permitted to be picked up from their classroom, so we ask families to wait for their children at these designated pick-up zones.

If you have children attending across different year levels, please liaise with their classroom teachers to work out the best pick-up zone for your family, and we will accommodate for that.

I would like to reiterate that students will be supervised until 3:45pm, and if they are not collected by this time, they will be walked up to the Camp Australia Outside School Hours Care service.

Therefore, it is important that families have completed the FREE registration for Camp Australia, to ensure they can supervise your child.

NEW Care Central!

Our new Care Central building (formerly the Secondary Administration office) supports a wide range of student needs, including our sick bay and first aid, student counselling services and college chaplaincy services.

Parents are encouraged to make direct contact with the School Paramedic Kasie Calvert for student medication requirements and health management plans, who will then work closely with the Junior School staff.

In the event a student requires collection due to ill health or injury, parents and carers can collect their son or daughter from Care Central via the Easterly Street gate.

Upcoming Events

First Day Of School: 8:00am For 8:30am Start, Monday 7 February - Canterbury College.
Years 4–6 Puberty Education Evening: 6:00pm, Wednesday 9 February - Discovery Centre Junior Library.
Parent Information Evening: COVID POSTPONED.
Junior TAS Sport (Hockey & Cricket): Round 1, Saturday Morning 12 February.
Junior TAS Sport Pre-Season Training: Wednesday 2 February (2:30pm – 3:45pm) and Friday 4 February (8:00am – 9:00am).
Junior School Running Club: Tuesday 1 February, Thursday 3 February and Friday 4 February (7:00am – 8:00am).

Finally, if you ever have any concerns or topics that you would like to discuss with me, please always feel free to contact me.

Mrs Katrina Flower has commenced as my Personal Assistant this year and is available from 8:00am - 4:00pm weekdays during Term-time in the Junior School Administration office.

I am very much looking forward to building a relationship with you all and I am very excited for the great year ahead!

Yours faithfully

Mrs Michelle Leftwich

Head of Junior School
Canterbury College

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by Canterbury

Year 10 Canterbury Health Program: Expressions Of Interest - CLOSING SOON!

Year 10 Canterbury Health Program: Expressions Of Interest - CLOSING SOON!

Dear Year 10 Students, Parents and Carers,

The Canterbury Health program will commence on Wednesday 9 February 2022.

About Canterbury Health

Canterbury Health courses are being offered to Year 10 students interested in getting a head-start in the Health Care sector.

Successful completion of these courses will qualify students to work as an Assistant In Nursing (AIN) and provide the foundation knowledge needed to undertake further studies in this field.

The Certificate II and Certificate III courses are completed as a package, conducted in partnership with Axiom College in our purpose-built Canterbury Health Mini-Hospital at P Block.

The Canterbury Health program will develop the skills needed to: comply with infection prevention and Workplace Health and Safety (WHS), guide students to interpret and apply medical terminology, and recognise healthy body systems.

Students will also learn how to transport clients and carry out nursing assistant duties in various settings.

Program Timetable

The program will run from 1:00pm - 5:00pm on Wednesday afternoons during Term time.

The new course schedule supports all learning aspects of students and ensures minimal impact on other classes.

Please Note: Students will be required to catch up on school work for 1.5 lessons per week missed, as this course accompanies their existing subject load.

Program Cost

VETis funding from the Federal Government funds one Certificate II course for each student in Australia.

There is an additional cost to complete the full qualification, including the Certificate III course.

The total $800 in fees will be paid across three terms: $300 in Term 1, $300 in Term 2 and $200 in Term 3.

This cost includes a professional-grade nursing kit.

How To Register

An Expression Of Interest Form is attached and MUST be submitted no later than 4:00pm, Wednesday 2 February 2022.

For further information, please contact either:

Ms Bre Ramsay-Orr, Director of Student Futures - Email:

Mrs Tracey Clarke, Head of Faculty - Health Sciences - Tel: 07 3299 0843 | Email:

Yours faithfully

Mrs Tracey Clarke - Head of the Health Sciences Faculty and Mrs Rebecca Adamson - Head of Secondary School

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by Canterbury

QLD Children Return To Campus Next Monday: Here's What You Need To Know

QLD Children Return To Campus Next Monday: Here's What You Need To Know

Here are the Queensland Government Education Department guidelines that Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) have endorsed this morning – with independent schools still retaining the freedom to implement other protocols on-campus as required...

Reported By ABC News - Education

Children in Queensland won't need to be regularly tested for COVID-19 when they return to school campus classrooms next Monday 7 February 2021.

That's one of the main points of the government's back-to-school plan, which covers the first four weeks of the new school year, from February 7 to March 4.

The plan includes new protocols for wearing masks, and what to do if your child becomes ill. Here's what you need to know...

Does my child need to wear a mask?

If they're in Secondary School - then yes they do. Masks are also "strongly encouraged" for children in Junior School Years 3 - 6.

Teachers can remove their masks to teach, and children won't need to wear one when they're seated in the classroom.

A limited supply of masks will be available at school for children who don't have their own.

Do I need to give my child a Rapid Antigen Test?

Not unless they're showing symptoms.

Unlike New South Wales and Victoria, there'll be no requirement for parents to regularly test their children.

Regular testing for school children isn't among the advice issued by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) to state and federal governments, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

"There is no health advice by the Chief Health Officer or by the AHPPC that school staff or students need regular testing," she said.

"On top of that, many parents have raised with me concerns about how they would administer these tests to their children."

"So, I think we've reached a good middle point."

That middle point is that Rapid Antigen Tests will be made available to parents if their children show COVID-19 symptoms - fever, sore throat, heavy coughing, runny nose, shortness of breath, bad headache, heavy fatigue, vomiting or nausea, loss of smell and/or taste, muscle or joint pains, loss of appetite or diarrhoea.

If parents aren't comfortable administering the test, they can take their child to a State Testing Clinic, where they'll receive priority treatment so they don't have to queue.

If children are at home and they need a Rapid Antigen Test, Ms Palaszczuk said one will be provided.

"For example, you might have a friend down the road and they are able to get the test from the school and drop it into your letterbox," she said.

The State Government estimates that about 750,000 tests will be needed over the first four weeks of school, and it's confident there will be enough supplies.

What if my child becomes sick at school?

If your child starts showing COVID-19 symptoms at school, they will be isolated until a parent or guardian arrives to collect them.

Their parents or carers will be given a Rapid Antigen Test to administer at home — or they will be able to take their child to a State Testing Clinic.

If the test is negative, the student can return to school.

A positive test will require them to isolate for seven days and follow other guidance from Queensland Health.

If your children show symptoms outside school hours, the message is simple.

"If you are sick, stay at home. Don't go to school," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"Any positive cases should be reported to the school itself and Queensland Health."

Children who are close contacts of positive cases will also need to isolate, in line with the current guidelines.

Independent Education Union Queensland Branch President Mr Terry Burke welcomed the government's plan, but said there needed to be explicit procedures in place about what to do in the event of a positive COVID-19 case.

"It is critical there are explicit procedures for the notification of a COVID-19 positive contact, how parents will be notified, and, how the impact of such a diagnosis of staff or student/s will be managed," he said.

"Staff should not be placed in the situation of conducting tests with students."

Will schools close if there's an outbreak?

Education Minister Grace Grace said closing schools will be a "last resort".

She added that there's no one-size-fits-all policy and any action taken will be in response to the size of the outbreak and its potential impact.

The government said all schools should have access to carbon dioxide monitors to measure ventilation, and if ventilation issues can't be solved by opening windows or with air conditioning, air purifiers will be provided.

Will access to schools be restricted?

Yes, schools will aim to limit the number of outsiders allowed within school grounds, though there will be some exceptions for vulnerable and very young children.

For example, parents and carers will be allowed to personally walk their children into kindergartens and facilities offering early childhood development programs.

And parents and carers with children in Prep and Year One will be allowed onto school grounds to escort their children to before school play or the classroom.

"From Year Two upwards, we are asking parents to please acknowledge what the school puts in place around drop-off and pick-up zones, and limit your presence on school sites for the first four weeks," Ms Grace said.

For the next four weeks, school camps, excursions, assemblies and other large gatherings will be cancelled or postponed.

What if teachers get sick?

In Queensland, all teachers, staff and volunteers in private and state schools must be fully vaccinated.

Ms Grace said the current vaccination rate among teachers is 98%.

The Education Department has a "very comprehensive staff management plan in place", she added.

For example, she said 5,000 fully vaccinated relief staff were on-call to fill gaps where needed.

Mr Burke says it's important teachers have access to remote work - especially for the medically vulnerable - as well as wage security and access to paid pandemic leave, as well as risk assessment for school activities.

What do I need to do in the next week?

There's no directive that children must be vaccinated to attend school.

However, health authorities are urging parents of children aged 5 - 11, to get their first dose before they return to the classroom.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath also wants more children aged 12 - 15 to get their second dose.

As of Sunday 30 January, only 67.21% of children in that age group were fully vaccinated.

"If your 12- to 15-year-old is concerned about getting this vaccination, take them to a local pharmacy, or to a GP to have that conversation, or go into any one of our vaccination clinics and talk to the staff there," she said.

"They can explain any concerns, any queries that our 12- to 15-year-olds may have, as to why they might hesitate in getting that vaccine."

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by Canterbury