Filter Content
Dear Parents/Carers,
It has been wonderful this week to see the students returning to school. Our staff have enjoyed reconnecting with them, checking in on their well-being and providing some support with the remote learning.
At the time of writing this, we have not been provided with any new directives regarding the 'Transition Back to School' procedures. Therefore, children will attend school next week using the same structure as this week (Monday-Wednesday according to surnames). We will update you if this changes.
Drop-off and Pick Up Procedures
I would like to thank all of you for adhering to the message to limit the number of adults on the school site. We would obviously prefer to have parents on the school grounds having interactions with each other. However, for the time being, it is important that we adhere to the health regulations that are in place and do everything we can to reduce adult-to-adult interactions.
Just a reminder that 'Drop-off' in the morning is done at the main gate near the Kindergarten classrooms. In the afternoon for 'Pick-up', our gates open earlier at 3.00pm and we ask parents to wait on the asphalt area near your child's classroom and the teacher will direct them to you. Once you have collected your child/ren, you are asked to leave the school site as quickly as possible.
Contact with teachers
As we are trying to limit adult gatherings on the school site, we ask parents who wish to meet with a teacher to organise a meeting rather than trying to speak with them in the morning or afternoon unannounced. You can arrange a meeting via the office. This is good practice at any time, as immediately before or after school can be the busiest time for teachers.
Mother's Day 'Stall'
I would like to sincerely thank the P & F for the initiative they showed in providing opportunities for families to buy Mother's Day gifts. Their willingness to 'think outside the square' to offer the stall in a different way was sincerely appreciated.
Updates regarding COVID-19
Please keep checking the Compass app as well as the latest information from the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) office on the website www.dow.catholic.edu.au/
Health and Safety
During this time it is important that we maintain the regulations required in terms of reporting any incidents of COVID-19. It is vital that you inform our school if your child has been tested for COVID-19, or is in isolation due to being a close contact of someone being tested. Also, it is very important that children do not come to school if they are unwell.
I continue to pray for you all during this time.
God bless.
Principal
Dear Parents,
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the amazing job you have done in supporting your children at home during the past weeks.
We acknowledge the role that you have taken on which has been very challenging. Doing both roles of Mum/Dad and teacher and perhaps even working from home is a juggle that we would never have expected to happen to us. It is important to take some time to remember that we are all doing the best we can in this difficult time and to be kind to yourself.
Our teachers have worked hard to set the children up for success during this time and when they get back to school, we will transition back to where they are at and move forward from there.
On your child’s rostered day next week, they will have an opportunity to reconnect with their teacher. Their teacher will take them through the remote learning grid and revise classroom and playground expectations for the return to school.
Your child’s teacher’s main focus for the day will be on the children who are here for their rostered day. Please be patient if your child is working from home on these days, as their teacher will take longer to respond to their questions.
On their allocated day, students should return in full sports uniform as they will be doing some PE and other activities for part of their day with the PPT teachers.
When students are working from home, they must follow the usual signing in procedures at the start of each day (that they are all familiar with) and continue working on their Remote Learning grid.
Where possible we encourage you to keep to your rostered day only as the classroom teachers will not be able to engage with your children on these days and supervision will be minimal. Supervised children will need to bring their own resources ready to engage with the class remote learning grid.
We look forward to moving progressively towards normal schooling.
Kind Regards
Helen Libro and Kylie Billett
Acting Assistant Principals
SOME IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR WEEK 3
Clothing Pool: will be available in the school hall Mon-Wed at 8.30am- eftpos only
Bus: If your child catches the bus home, school buses will also be available as per the usual timetable.
Canteen: The school canteen will be open as normal and will accept lunch orders via flexischools and small cash purchases during lunch breaks.
Uniform: Students please wear their full sport uniform on their rostered day.
Resources: Please ensure your child brings their pencil case, drink bottle, earphones, fully charged ipad
Equipment: Children should not bring equipment or toys. The School will provide equipment for the playground.
Social Distancing Protocols Morning and Afternoon dismissal:
We ask that in the morning you drop your child/children at the school gate from 8.30am and do not enter the playground. Please note that children will only be able to enter school using the main gate near the Kindergarten classrooms.
We will open the gates at 3.00pm.
Please move quickly towards the asphalt area outside your child’s classroom, limit engagement with other adults and children and practice social distancing protocols (1.5m).
We ask that no parent enters the balconies outside classrooms or engages with their child’s teacher. If you wish to communicate with your child’s teacher, we ask that you email them.
Once you have collected your child we ask that you quickly exit the playground to minimise contact with community members.
Please note that applications for Kindergarten 2021 are still being accepted. Interviews are curently being held so forms will need to be received as soon as possible. Please contact the school office for more information.
First Holy Communion
We were scheduled to have the Parent Information Evening tomorrow night – 7 May - for this Sacrament. Of course, this has been cancelled due to the current restrictions.
Our Sacramental program for First Holy Communion is going online.
We are just working out details and we will commence the sacramental preparation soon. Please keep watching the newsletter for further information.
Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who are celebrating their birthday this week, May11 - May 17
| Adam G | Christopher C | Amelia B |
| Jared T | Lionel M | Sethma R |
| Zi Xiang Xu | Acacia-Rose H | Mrs Afchal |
Please see link below for online purchases from the Term 2 Book Club catalogue:
https://scholastic.com.au/book-club/virtual-catalogue-1/
Purchases can ONLY be made online prior to 8 MAY. Orders will be able to be picked up from the School Office
Returning to school worries are normal
Week three will see the start of students returning to school one day a week. During this time of transition some students may experience anxiety, fear or worry. They may be concerned about who is at school with them, which teacher they have, what they will be doing at school. For some students they may experience separation anxiety after being at home with their families. Other students may be concerned about coivid-19, social distancing and this may make the transition back to school harder for them.
Children can display these concerns in different ways. You may see disruptive sleep, defiance, arguments, acting out, some children may become withdrawn, clingy or teary. It is important that during this time we validate that our children are experiencing concerns which are causing them discomfort. The behaviour we are seeing can be their way of communicating these concerns and discomfort to us.
Take the time to listen to things that your child may talk about, remember these concerns are valid to them even if they feel trivial to us. By connecting and validating your child's feelings you are helping them to feel safe. This can be done by listening and reflecting back what your child is saying, then try help them problem solve the concern - eg: It sounds like you feel worried about who will be at school, can you name some people you could play with? You can also help your child prepare for the return to school by letting them know it is ok to be at school. Talk to them about how school may still be a little different but it is important for them to be here so they can connect with their teacher and peers.
For many people routines have been disruptive during this time, it would be helpful for your child to re-establish normal waking and sleep routines during this week to support them in returning to school. It is important to remember that this has been a time of change for everyone, all people experience and respond to change differently and any worries, fear and anxiety during this time is normal. By connecting, listening, validating and supporting your child during this change you can help them build resilience and emotional skills for the future.
If you feel your child is experiencing difficulties managing any of these emotions or is displaying avoidance of returning to school please don’t hesitate to reach out and seek support.
From the School Counsellor