Dear Parents/Carers,

Over the next few weekends many of our students from Year 3 are celebrating their First Holy Communion. To organise this in the midst of the current restrictions placed on places of worship has required much planning and organisation. I would like to acknowledge the dedication of Fr John, Mrs Hampton (our Religious Education Coordinator) and the parish Sacramental Coordinators who devised an online program for the children. They then put their skills of logistics to work to enable the children, and a small number of their family members, an opportunity to attend a Parish Mass to celebrate the sacrament. While the experience for them will have been different to those of past years, it was a preferred option than to have cancelled the program altogether.

On behalf of our school community I would like to offer our congratulations to those children and to pray for them as they deepen their relationship with Jesus through this most holy sacrament.

Staffing

Mrs Catherine Crowley, our Visual Arts teacher, has begun a period of maternity leave as she prepares for the birth of her second child. We wish her every blessing. We welcome Mrs Rita Gruning-Fankhauser, an experienced Visual Arts teacher with more than 20 years’ experience, in this role until the end of this year. As her surname may be difficult for young children to remember and pronounce, Rita has been letting the children call her ‘Mrs G.’

Excursions and Camps

As you would be aware, schools are unable to organise excursions and camps due to the risk of COVID infections. The latest restrictions are in place until the end of Term 3. While it seems unlikely that these restrictions will be fully lifted, at this point in time we are waiting to hear about any prospects for Term 4 before making a decision to cancel them altogether. It would be a shame for the children if we made a decision too soon if there is a chance, no matter how small, of an excursion taking place. Rest assured that refunds for any payments made for excursions and camps will be provided in the event of a cancellation.

COVID Directives

One of the directives that has been complex for us to follow has been the requirement to have parents collect children from school when they are unwell. I acknowledge that this can be inconvenient for parents/carers when they are in the midst of a busy day, however our staff in the office must follow the protocols handed down from NSW Health, and they gather as much information about the child’s health before making a call to parents. All schools are trying their very best to avoid COVID spreading within their community.

I am very grateful to those parents who follow the requirements depending on the health of their child. This may require a COVID test to be done and we are currently finding that results are being returned within a 24-hour timeframe. This means that most children are not absent from school for too long. It is important that children are clear of any flu-like symptoms before returning to school, and you are reminded that while children are absent from school due to illness work is not be provided for them.

P & F Father’s Day Stall

Following the most recent update to restrictions for schools, the P & F are moving the Father’s Day Stall to an online format. You will be able to order gifts online and they will be delivered to your child at school. More information about this process will be provided by the P & F and I thank them for their time and effort in still providing an option for the children to purchase a gift.

Wishing you a safe week.

God bless.

Paul Moroney
Principal