Dear Parents/Carers,

COVID-19 UPDATE

I would like to thank all of you for supporting our COVID-19 directives. The changes to drop off and pick up at the front of the school have now become part of what we do. For the first few weeks some students and parents found the drop off outside the gates difficult, but things now seem to be going very well. Yesterday afternoon I was very impressed and thankful for the social distancing that parents and carers showed when picking up the students from behind the yellow line near the school fence. An aerial shot of parents and carers would have been pleasing viewing for anyone concerned with social distancing. Well done all. Our Catholic Education Office representatives at school yesterday were very impressed. From a Principal perspective, saying farewell to the students each afternoon has been a practice that will continue way after the pandemic finishes.

PRINCIPAL APPRAISAL

Every four years a school Principal in the Wollongong Diocese completes an appraisal process, aimed at affirming good practice and informing further growth. Today I have attached information inviting parents and carers to participate in a survey which will add a perspective to my leadership over the last four years. I look forward to the formal process which will occur towards the end of October 2020. The survey will not take very long and your perspective is very important. I look forward to a healthy response from parents and carers completing the survey. A Compass alert will be sent to all families today and you are invited to use the hyperlink to access the survey. Please contact the school office if a hard copy is required.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

The Year 2 teachers and students have continued to explore and learn about the Sacrament of Reconciliation this term. The teachers consider it a great privilege to be able to assist the students learn about this sacrament. The students have been visiting the church this week to go through the formal process when receiving the sacrament. Next Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings the students will attend a designated ceremony led by Fr Pat and Fr Leo. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only two adults in total can attend the Reconciliation with the child. For blended families this can be difficult but will need to be strictly followed due to the size of the church and NSW Government directives. Please call me directly if further clarification is required.

LONG SERVICE LEAVE (LSL)

In Australia most workers have entitlement to ‘Long Service Leave’ after a number of years of work. This entitlement does not exist in all countries around the world. Over the next three weeks the following staff members will be on LSL. We wish them the very best for these well earned days. Thankfully we have some excellent teachers who will work from the class teacher’s program.

• Mrs Anne Dempsey will be on leave for week 8, 9 and 10. The teacher in this classroom will be Mrs Jayne Wilshire.
• Mrs Bianca Koczka will be on leave for week 9 and 10. The teacher in this classroom will be Mr Mark Tweed.

FATHERS DAY – SUNDAY

I would like to congratulate and wish all of our fathers and significant people in the children’s lives a most beautiful celebration on Sunday. Being a dad is an incredible gift and one that brings much joy. I will connect with three of my children on Sunday and look forward to sharing the day with them. Usually the school would have a morning sausage sizzle and prayer with our dads, but this is not possible due to COVID-19. A short video has been put together with some students expressing their thoughts about dads. Enjoy the insights. A Compass alert will give you a link to the video. Have a fantastic Father's Day celebration, all of you are valued. This short prayer will be read at assembly tomorrow.

SCHOOL CARPARK

Thank you to all parents who are parking safely before and after school. Improvement in driver etiquette has certainly occurred in recent weeks. Two areas to monitor include:

1. Some parents/carers are still doing a ‘stop and drop’ in the carpark. To keep all adults and students safe, all cars entering the carpark are required to park their car and walk students to the pedestrian crossing.
2. There are now 6 red witches hats towards the end of the middle parking bay. Cars are encouraged to drive through the area between the witches hats to depart form the north parking area.

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

Mr Christopher Paton

Please pray for our Year 2 students who will receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation next week.

Reconciliation is called a healing sacrament.  We all sin.  That is why Jesus died on the cross; to save us from our sins!  Reconciliation is a sacramental way to admit our mistakes, receive forgiveness, and try again.  There is nothing more refreshing and hopeful than going to Reconciliation.  

Reconciliation is a sacrament we can receive over and over again, but many people hesitate to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.    We encourage you to take your children regularly.  Start the habit early! If you attend Reconciliation you are setting an example for your children.  It will bring your family closer, and it will build a stronger relationship with the Forgiving Father.

Martine Mathieson

Religious Education Coordinator

Picnic in the Park

ADF Families in Nowra, join us for a BYO picnic in the park at the beautiful Ben's Walk picnic area on 24 September. Make the most of spring time, catch up with friends or make new connections. Our Nowra Family Liaison Officer will also be there to answer all your DCO related queries. Full details on EventBrite.

Dad Joke Competition

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/an-adf-families-event-dad-joke-competition-nowra-tickets-116694120255?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=listing

Want to know what's on in your local area?

Visit the calendar on the website at: 

www.defence.gov.au/DCO/

Thank you.

Mrs Wenban 

School photos will be held on Monday, 9th November (Term 4).

Electricity Safety Week Competition – win $1,000 for your school P & F.

Endeavour Energy’s competition is now open as part of Electricity Safety Week. For more details click here.

Years K-6 students are invited to create a 30-second video that highlights one or more important electrical safety messages.

Entries close on Friday 25 September 2020.   

Catholic Social Justice Statement  September 2020:

To Live Life to the Full: Mental health in Australia today.  “People living with mental ill health are part of the Body of Christ - us and not them - and share equally in Jesus’ promise of the fullness of life." You are encouraged to download the Statement from the Australian Bishops website for your reflection and conversation.: http://bit.ly/SocialJustice_2020

A small group of parishioners have expressed interest to meet and share some reflection on this statement from the Bishops. Feel free to register for either group by phoning the parish and leaving contact details.      (Max 8 people in meeting room.)

Monday 21^st September                                         1.30-2.45 p.m. Parish Office
Repeat session: Monday 21^st September                7.30- 8.45 p.m.    Parish Office

Facilitators: Bernadette Pullen & Sue Barker

Family Services Australia runs a FREE Supported Playgroup on Tuesdays during school terms. Attached is our flyer.