NEWSLETTER WEEK 1 TERM 2

Welcome to Term 2!

I’m sure you will all agree that in 2020 we have all experienced a very different kind of student holiday, Easter celebration and ANZAC commemoration. Despite the fact that our frame of reference has been very different, our new circumstances have forced us to look for alternatives and have opened opportunities we never imagined possible previously.

Twelve months ago, I would never have thought that on Good Friday I’d be sitting in solitude on my veranda, moved to tears by listening to the Stations of the Cross narrated by Bishop Brian. I would never have thought my extended family Easter celebration (consisting of my parents, all 7 siblings, their spouses, my nieces, nephews, grandchildren and even, pets) could have been as crazy via FaceTime at it usually is when we gather in person. Who would have thought standing on my driveway and listening to the Ode and Last Post at 6:00am on ANZAC Day could be a fitting way to commemorate this great Australian tradition? But, everything came together, and everything made sense. Who would have thought?    

As we commence Term 2 together, without clarity about what lies ahead of us, I am confident that everything will eventually come together and make sense. I want to thank our parent community for your ongoing support, patience, flexibility and expressions of gratitude. I want to thank our staff for their dedication, openness to learning and grace under pressure.   

Our faith tells us that no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, we can still believe that although Jesus suffered, his journey did not end on Good Friday. If it wasn’t for Good Friday, we would not have Easter Sunday. Just as a resurrection faith moved the first disciples to build the Church despite the obstacles they faced, the uncertain times we are facing now provide us with opportunities for creativity, courage and openness to see things differently and respond with faith to need.  

Bless us, Lord, and bless this uncertain term.

Bless who we are and the life we bring to everything we do.

Bless our community and keep us true to one another.

Bless our struggles and our joys.

Bless our disappointments and our triumphs.

Bless our hopes and bless our fears.

And bless the new paths we are forced walk.

We offer all this to you.

Let Christ continue to be Our Way and Life.

Mrs Tina Murray

Principal

STAFF UPDATES

Last term we farewelled Mr Jayden O’Brien, our dedicated PE Teacher. Jayden will be commencing in a full-time position this term at another school. I take this opportunity to thank Jayden for the contributions and energy he brought to our community during his short tenure. Recruitment will be undertaken once normal school operations resume.

We are extremely grateful to be one of the few schools in the Diocese to have the support of a Religious Sister. Sr Colleen is a much-loved addition to our school community. Unfortunately, Sr Colleen will be absent for the first few weeks of term as she recovers from an accident that resulted in a broken wrist. Sr Colleen provides pastoral support in very tangible ways within our school. She is assisted to provide this support by a small annual grant from her religious congregation, the Sisters of Charity. It is a requirement of this grant that all applications for support eg uniforms items, be approved by the Principal.

Families are encouraged to contact me, in Sr Colleen’s absence, should they require additional support. As always our school will attempt to provide support to our families in any way we can.

 REMOTE LEARNING

By now, parents are familiar with the fact that remote learning is the single mode of learning delivery at this time.

Compass remains the main form of communication for the school and for class teachers to communicate information directly to all parents.

All parents would have received information from your child’s class teacher regarding the days they have been rostered to work on site and remotely in Week 1 and 2.

This information was provided so students and parents could be aware that teachers on site may not be as readily available for scheduled check-ins due to the need to provide supervision for the students who are at school.

In response to changed circumstances, the previously advertised rosters will be replaced by one teacher from each grade being on site each day between Friday 1 May until Friday 8 May. Teachers will not be supervising their own class only during the days they are at school.

In response to parent requests, daily work will be scheduled at 5:00pm on the previous day. This will hopefully support parents to plan for the completion of home learning tasks and juggle their own remote work commitments.

We hope to communicate additional information in response to updated NSW Government advice and requirements, as soon as this information becomes available.

Until then, the advice remains the same – Schools are OPEN for staff and students who need to attend.

Please be assured our aim is to ensure the education experience will be the same whether students are at home or at school.

To assist us the following processes will help to ensure our focus can remain on learning during this time.

COMMUNICATION WITH STUDENTS

Google Classroom communication is reserved for learning interactions between students and teachers only. Teachers supporting students remotely will be available for student morning check-in at 9:00am and support and questions via Google Classroom between 9:00am and 10:00am and 1:00pm and 2:00pm on normal school days (Monday to Friday).

COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS

Parent Communication will be through normal communication channels – Compass alerts, emails, phone calls, letters using contact details on file in Compass. Parents with enquiries for teachers should contact the Office or email the teacher directly during school hours. The priority for all teachers is attending to the learning of students either at the school or via remote learning therefore response times will be dictated by these commitments. The usual response time to parent enquiries will be within 24 hours.

We are grateful for the feedback received from parents, as this greatly supports our ongoing planning. 

Parents are requested not to use Google Classroom as a means of communicating with teachers.

STUDENT CHECK-INS

Class teachers will commence undertaking a weekly check-in with each student in their class. These check-ins should generally take no more than 10 minutes and will focus on academic and well-being needs. Please be aware that these phone calls may appear as a private number if teachers are conducting check-ins while working remotely.

HOW CAN PARENTS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS?

• Ensure Compass contact details are accurate and current.
• Encourage your child to ‘check in’ during the Morning Message each day and engage with the daily remote learning.
• Assist your child to prepare for and provide honest input about their learning / well-being during teacher check-ins.
• Parents are asked to drop off and pick up students and leave the school site promptly.
• Please ensure social distancing protocols - 1.5 metre social distance are maintained especially between adults when on the school site.
• Ensure your child remains at home if they are unwell.
• If your child attends school – ensure they have their own equipment – pencils case containing pencil etc to minimise equipment sharing.
• Students must bring their own water bottle to school – as all bubblers have been closed.
• Students are welcome to bring their own supply of sanitiser to use during the day.

Thanking you in advance for your support.