It is with great anticipation that we look forward to welcoming the return of all girls to Barbreck in the coming week. Their cheerful laughter and their happy faces have been greatly missed.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our School community of teaching staff and parents for their strong support of our students during this unprecedented and challenging time. The teaching staff have been working tirelessly to ensure a seamless transition from face to face teaching to online learning enabling students to positively embrace their new learning experience with favourable outcomes.

We encourage all parents to familiarise themselves and their daughters with the Parent Information Booklet which covers the processes and procedures we are putting in place to optimise and ensure the safe return of our students and staff.

In line with medical and health advice from the Victorian Department of Health and Chief Health Officer, the Department of Education and ISV, the school has undertaken to introduce work practices, processes and procedures which will be regularly reviewed, to ensure the continued protection of our school community.

We encourage families to converse with their children to ensure their transition back to school is smooth and to minimise any confusion when they return.

As the school day will be different from their normal expectations, it is important that they are familiar with the implemented changes and that they feel secure and comfortable when they return.

I believe the booklet will assist parents in minimising any apprehension the girls may be feeling.

Unfortunately, some of the usual practices, such as sharing cupcakes for birthdays are unable to take place until restrictions lift. We ask for your understanding and support of these temporary changes.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any concerns.

I look forward to welcoming the girls back, and seeing their smiling faces.