Dear students, parents and carers

As part of the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, all students aged 16 years and above are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
The Victorian Government aims to fully vaccinate all final year students by the time they sit their end-of-year exams. Final year students are therefore urged to immediately make an appointment to receive a vaccine by following the instructions that I included in my email to all students on Wednesday 28^th August
All eligible students are encouraged to make an appointment to receive the vaccine as soon as possible.
We are particularly encouraging final year students to make an early appointment as this will support the safe conduct of the VCE examinations late this year. You will be supported in every way possible to be vaccinated before the examinations begin.
All GAT students are encouraged to book in for your first dose before the GAT on 5th October. With limited vaccine supply, there are limited appointments available, you’re encouraged to check for appointments in state-run vaccination sites, and at General Practices. However, it is recommended you don’t get your first vaccine on the day of an exam, or the day before an exam – to avoid feeling common but mild side effects such as tiredness, headache, muscle pain, fever and chills and/or joint pain during your exam.
Please discuss your vaccination with your parent/guardian or carer and with your teachers to plan your absence and minimise disruption to your learning if your absence is during school hours.
Students can book their own appointment and consent to vaccination themselves if the health professional assesses them to be a mature minor.

In closing I would once again like to state our solidarity with and care for, our students and families of Afghan background and to their loved ones still in Afghanistan. We want you all to know that we are here and we see what you are going through. We are so glad that you are here in our community and we want to offer our support to you and your families. We will be reaching out to families but please contact us if we can help.

Keep well

John Baston

College Principal