Dear Parents and Carers,

Next week we begin our transition back to school for all students. Our school is following strict directives about limiting the number of students within each classroom during this transition period known as Phase 1. For this reason, students have been assigned to only one day: Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Social distancing is the strong measure that all schools need to abide by during this transition phase.

The number of students presently attending school for remote learning due to various reasons is a significantly higher percentage than most schools within Australia. At present two of the three grade teachers are working at school with these students, and all three grade teachers are continuing to support remote learning that is occurring at home. The school appreciates the huge sacrifices that families have made during this period of remote learning and thank you for your efforts.

For Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week, I ask parents to support the Phase 1 transition back to school for ALL students by arranging if possible for your child to attend school only on the assigned day. Students of essential workers and those who need to be at school for various reasons will continue to be supported in the school environment. In an effort to make the transition back to school a positive and safe experience for the students, the smaller the number in each class, the better experience the school can provide.

If there is a non-working parent or carer at home next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, I respectfully ask for you to keep the students with you for the two days they are not scheduled to attend. On Monday and Friday, students of essential workers and those who need to be at school for various reasons will continue to be supported with remote learning at school. Please call the school if clarification is required.

Another strict directive that schools have been given is to safely manage social distancing when students arrive and depart each day. The following measures will be in place from next Monday.

Morning Procedures

From 8.15am, students will be welcomed at the two main entrances (off North St and Osborne St) by a staff member. To maintain social distancing, parents and carers will say goodbye to the students at the gates and make their way off the property maintaining social distancing from other families. Staff will be on playground duty and the students will be cared for in the usual way.

Afternoon Procedures

There will be two pick up times for students from next Monday.

Parents of students in Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 will be given the option to pick up their children from 2.45pm if that works for families. These parents will enter the playground and make their way to the area known as God’s Grass and wait until the students are brought out and seated within view of God’s Grass at 2.45pm. Parents will be asked to follow social distancing protocols when waiting for the students: 1.5 metres from the next person. Students will then be collected and walk with their parents down the bitumen playground, collecting siblings from Year 4, 5 and 6 on the way. Exit for all families will be via the two main gate areas (heading towards North St and Osborne St).

At 3pm all other parents will collect their children from outside Year 4, 5 and 6 as well as the younger ones if that works best for families. Please clarify with your child’s teacher if necessary. On Friday communication will be sent to you via Compass, asking that you nominate and send back to the school the time you are most likely to pick up your child each day. Regardless of which option best suits you, the students will be supervised in the usual way.

Amidst the challenging, isolating and sometimes chaotic times that we are all moving through, some of life’s important events can be slightly missed. This Sunday in Australia we will celebrate Mother’s Day. We would usually have a Mother’s Day stall prepared by the Parents and Friends group as well as a liturgy in the school hall. Sadly, none of those are possible. However, we will all be acknowledging Mother’s Day in our own way. It is undeniable that mothers are the keystone to a stable home environment and society.

For many of you, this Sunday will be a different Mother’s Day experience, especially if your  mother is over a certain age. I will be visiting my mother in her retirement village in Sydney. She will be on one side of the glass window and I will be on the other side and we will both have mobile phones for communication. Thankfully, my mother’s village is in voluntary lockdown and all residents have remained safe during the pandemic. The following poem from Susan Kramer sums up my thoughts about mothers. May I wish all of you a beautiful celebration of society’s greatest gift: Mothers.

“Blessed be all mothers         
Who have come into our lives
Whose kindness, care and loving
Remain with us to guide.

Your inspiration in us
Made us strive in every way
Especially to remember
Helping others makes our day.

Mothers, this little tribute
Flows directly from my heart
You are so loved and cherished
Invaluable, one and all, you are."

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

Mr Christopher Paton

We have extended the School Uniform for Weeks 3 & 4 so that the students may wear either their Summer or Winter uniform. 

Week 5 we will begin full winter uniform for the students.  

Sports Uniform

As we are in a transition phase the students will only wear their sports uniform if they attend on a Friday.

It's time for a treasure hunt! Look under your beds, in your book cases, in your desks, and find those books you borrowed oh so long ago!