Increasing Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Cases

The Department of Health, Victoria has issued a health alert regarding increasing pertussis (whoopingcough) cases in Victoria.

The key messages are:

• cases of pertussis are increasing in Victoria, mostly affecting children aged 10-12 years
• pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory illness known for causing a cough and can lead to life threatening infections in babies
• symptoms of pertussis may be very similar to other respiratory infections, especially in the early stages, meaning diagnosis by a doctor as soon as possible is important.

I am reminding the school community about the importance of seeing their General Practitioner if their children exhibit any of the symptoms listed.

If a student at our school is diagnosed with pertussis, the diagnosing doctor will be
responsible for notifying the Department of Health.

The below exclusion periods apply to diagnosed cases and contacts:

For diagnosed cases:

- students diagnosed with pertussis should be excluded from primary schools for a
minimum period of 21 days after the onset of cough, or until they have completed five (5) days of a course of effective antibiotic treatment

- the treating doctor will complete the required notifications to the Department of Health

For contacts of diagnosed cases:

The exclusion requirement only applies to contacts who meet all three (3) of the below criteria:

- aged less than 7 years;
- in the same class as the student with the diagnosed case; and have not received three (3) effective doses of pertussis vaccine.

Students meeting these criteria should be excluded for 14 days after the last exposure to the infectious case, or until they have taken five (5) days of a course of effective antibiotic treatment.

Please advise the school admin if your chiild is diagnosed with pertussis by a GP as soon as possible.

P.E.

Students will participate in these exciting activities organised by Miss Dani Sharpe as part of their Physical Education classes! 

Dress Up Day  -  Thursday 8th August

Students may come to school in costume as their favourite book character or dress up reflecting the Book Week theme, 'Reading is Magic!'

The Book Week Parade will begin at 9:15 am on the basketball court.

Parents and families are welcome in attendance!

School Concert News!

The students have begun practising in class for this very important event. We want to give families as much notice as possible, so everyone has time to get organized. 

Costume items must be supplied for the school concert by the end of August. 

Our school concert will be held on Tuesday 17th September.

The name of the concert is ‘The Antiques Roadshow’ and we will see each class perform to music from different decades. Some costume items will be supplied by the school, and some we ask families to provide which is included in the list/link below. 

If you need any help or have any questions, please reach out klucas@bunyip.catholic.edu.au

SEE FULL COSTUME REQUIREMENTS HERE

The Parents and Friends team are planning a SILENT AUCTION to be held during our school concert at the Warragul Arts Centre.

This will be Columba's major fundraiser for the year!

CAN YOU HELP?

Donations needed:

-Auction items, products, services, handmade goods

-From individuals, friends, family, businesses, organisations or companies. 

Please see our letter for business if you would like to print the letter and approach a business and ask for a donation.

Letter_for_Donations_P_F.pdf

Please send donations to the school administration

as soon as you can.

Thank you for your help!