Dear Parents and Carers,

Next Thursday 25 June 2020, you will be able to access progress reports for the first semester for students in Years 1-6. Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, traditional direct instruction has been limited. Determining academic mastery has been challenging in remote learning environments as conversations, observations and assessments have also been limited. This Interim Report reflects the engagement in learning undertaken during classroom and remote learning over the course of Term 1 up until the middle of Term 2, 2020. The Key Learning Areas of Religious Education, English and Mathematics have been the focus for many of the classroom and remote learning experiences delivered during Terms 1 and 2 and will be the only areas reported on.

For the last ten or more years, schools have reported on student progress and their achievement, against a five point scale, twice per year. Due to the current circumstances and the need for schools to teach remotely, valid assessment of student learning has been challenging. Therefore, student engagement in learning in the three Key Learning Areas will be the focus of the reports for this semester only. We will return to the previous report format  at the end of the year. Every school in the Wollongong Diocese will use this interim report format. Parents of students in Years 1-6 will be able to nominate for a telephone interview with the classroom teacher. These interviews will occur in Week 10 of Term 2 and/or Week 1 of Term 3. These interviews will be booked using the Compass portal. Further instructions of how to access the portal will be shared with you towards the end of next week.

Students in Kindergarten do not receive a formal report until the end of the year. Parents of students in Kindergarten will be able to nominate for a face to face interview with the classroom teacher. These interviews will occur in Week 10 of Term 2 and/or Week 1 of Term 3 and further instructions of how to access the portal will be shared with Kindergarten parents towards the end of next week.

This week letters have been sent home to parents of students in Year 2, 3 and 6 regarding an update about receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist (First Holy Communion) and Confirmation in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, every Catholic diocese in Australia has had to delay the planning for receiving these Sacraments. It is anticipated that the students will receive the Sacraments at some stage during the next two terms. This is good news and further details will be shared as soon as more information is received.

Yesterday a representative from the Catholic Education Office Wollongong was on site to observe and give feedback on our afternoon dismissal procedures. While the concept of early pickup at 2.45pm for students in Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 was commended, the social distancing of parents/carers on ‘God’s Grass’ and other parts of the front playground was considered a concern. For the next week, a staff member will circulate on God’s Grass to remind parents to remain 1.5 metres apart. I also ask parents to remind each other. Our local area has remained remarkably safe from COVID-19 due to the efforts of many and we all need to continue to observe this universal safeguard. Thank you for your assistance.

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

Mr Christopher Paton

This week notes went home to students in Year 2 and Year 3 regarding the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Sacrament of First Holy Communion. It would be appreciated if notes were returned by Monday 22 June. If your child is in Year 4 or 5 and has been baptised and wishes to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and or First Holy Communion could you please contact Mrs Mathieson via the school office.

Unfortunately, we are still waiting for an update on the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Brian Mascord. As soon as information comes to hand we will let you know. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Martine Mathieson

Religious Education Coordinator

DCO Webinar Series

Join us for the next webinar in DCO Webinar series: Staying strong, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Date:  Wednesday July 1st

Time: 8:00pm AEST

Online event

NOTE: This webinar is only for ADF members and their families

The best way we can care for our families is to make sure we take care of ourselves. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it necessary for us all to change the way we go about everyday life.  ADF families have not been immune to these necessary changes and we know some families, especially if their member is absent from home or deployed, are facing additional challenges.

The next webinar in our COVID-19: Surviving and thriving series, is called ‘Staying strong, physically, mentally and emotionally’.

It’s important to look after our mental health and wellbeing during times of stress and uncertainty. This webinar will discuss some of the impacts the COVID-19 pandemic may have had on people’s wellbeing during isolation, coming out of isolation and into the new business as usual. The webinar will provide families with a range of strategies and tips to improve mental wellbeing, and highlight the importance of self-care. There will also be a Q&A session at the end of the webinar.

For privacy reasons the webinar will not be recorded for playback as some families may wish to raise questions of a sensitive or personal nature. We will however, place written response from the Q&A session on our website in the days following the webinar.

Members and their families can also contact the Defence Family Helpline, available 24/7, on 1800 624 608 for information or advice at any time.

June Virtual Event

Our virtual event for June is a ‘Cutest Pets' competition. Get creative and send us one photo of your cutest pet or pets, along with a short description (max 150 words) to let us know what you and your pet/s have been doing together in isolation!

There will be prizes for our three cutest entrants!

Entries open 15 June. Please send your entry to dco.canberra-nowra@defence.gov.au by Friday 26 June 2020.The judges’ decision will be final.

Please note: Images you send us may be published on our DCO social media or our magazine, Defence Family Matters. Ideally, images should be between 1MB and 4MB in size. Images over 4MB may not make it past the firewall.

When registering, ensure your email address is accurate as you will receive a booking confirmation and further information by email.

Thank you,

Mrs Wenban