Dear Parents/Carers,

I have been amazed at how quickly our world has had to deal with the situation surrounding COVID-19. It has been distressing to see how many people have had their lives turned upside down in a matter of hours. It has also been uplifting to see how people have sought ways of reaching out, supporting those in need and encouraging those who are working beyond their normal conditions.

Learning for our children has also changed dramatically in the past week. I sincerely thank the staff who have worked very hard this week to make preparations for children who are working at home. Please take note of information in this Newsletter that pertains to the Remote Learning structures that we have in place for the rest of Term 1. Everyone's priority during this form of learning needs to be on our health and well-being.

You are reminded to remain alert to notificatiions that are posted on the Comapss app. At the moment we are trying to give daily updates. Also, the latest information from the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) office appears on the wesbite www.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid19

I continue to have great belief that the human spirit will prevail. This is a time for finding new ways to remain connected and to seek out those who would be feeling especially lonely and vulnerable. Prayer is also important. The following prayer is from Fr Richard Hendrick:

So we pray and we remember that
yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul.
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now. Today, breathe.

I wish you and your family much peace and good health in these trying times.

God bless.

Paul Moroney
Principal

Our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) framework has needed to be adjusted to allow for some clarity for each child to that they are still abiding by our school rules (Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, Be Organised). Please refer to the grids below, one for K-Year 2 and one for Years 3-6. The teachers will speak to the children next week about these grids in one of their videos so it would be good for you to be aware of their content. Please contact us if you have any questions.

It is important that we all play our part in the government's advice regarding social distancing. Therefore, we ask that if you are bringing your child to school in the morning and/or picking them up in the afternoon that you are mindful of keeping your distance from others (1.5 metres) and that you move out of the school grounds as quickly as possible. Of course this goes against our normal desire to create a sense of community, but these are unusual times that hopefully will not last too long.

Thank you for your cooperation with this.

Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who are celebrating their birthday this week, March 23 - March 29

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE COMMONWEALTH BANK HAS CLOSED ALL SCHOOL BANKING UNTIL THE END OF THIS TERM