A very special welcome back to all of our students. It was with great excitement that we welcomed back Kindergarten and Year 1 last week, only to be disrupted by the COVID-19 situation that followed on Wednesday and Thursday of last week. Last Friday we only had a very small number of students at school due to self isolation requirements. 

This Monday we were excited to have the rest of the students return. We have had a settled and productive week, with an emphasis on transitioning into face to face learning, supported through social and emotional learning opportunities. All students were extremely happy to reconnect with their friends again after a long period of time. 

Due to the absence of 12 staff members due to being deemed close contacts of the COVID-19 situation last week, staffing the school has been a challenge but has been achieved. While a number of classes do have a change of teacher until everyone arrives back on the morning of Tuesday 2 November 2021, learning has continued, prepared and monitored by the class teachers who are still providing remote learning to students in self-isolation. 

Updated measures to support social distancing are continuing to be implemented and the use of sanitiser is ensuring the manufacturers do not go out of business. Some students have adopted the practice of wearing face masks, and while highly recommended, is a decision by each family. The communication from parents by sending through the negative COVID-19 test results has been very appreciated. At this stage, we believe we have fortunately avoided any further positive cases except for the original one. Family support through taking students for testing and the continual monitoring and updating of school protocols regarding social distancing will hopefully see us through this event. The combined effort of staff and families has kept all of us safe. Thank you everyone for your support. 

The students in Year 2 are very excited about receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation in coming weeks. At this stage, plans are still in place for the Year 2 to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on one of the following designated nights in the school hall: 

• Tuesday 9 November 2021 7pm
• Wednesday 10 November 2021 7pm
• Thursday 11 November 2021 7pm

These dates will be confirmed after 1 November 2021 once the NSW Government confirms the gathering guidelines for schools and parishes. Strict guidelines regarding the use of sanitiser, social distancing and the wearing of masks will be followed. Our prayers and thoughts are with these students and their families.

The Year 3 students have been prepared to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist through their ‘First Holy Communion’. These masses will occur in the school hall on Saturday 20 November 2021 and Sunday 21 November 2021, dependent on NSW Government approval. Strict guidelines regarding the use of sanitiser, social distancing and the wearing of masks will be followed. Good luck to all of these students and their families in the weeks ahead. The students and their families will remain in our prayers. 

The Zoom information meeting regarding the Year 4 2022 1:1 iPad program, which was due to occur last week, was cancelled due the COVID-19 event which occurred in Week 3. Mrs Callaghan is in the process of organising a slideshow with audio to guide the present Year 3 parents through the process. The slideshow will explain in detail some significant changes to how the program will be managed in 2022. This audio slideshow will be shared with families once completed. 

Last Tuesday evening, 26 October 2021, The Kindergarten teachers, Mrs Rutkowski and I had the second Zoom meeting with our new Kindergarten 2022 families. The teachers led the presentation and covered important topics requested by the new families. The Kindergarten team has created a specific site which contains many links to the various features of our school, and Kindergarten in particular. Well done and thanks to these teachers. I do look forward to reconnecting with our new parents in a face to face capacity when allowed next year. 

At this time of the year the school begins planning class groups for 2022. The classes are determined depending on the individual grade and the needs of the students. The teachers of the present grades make recommendations for 2022 and these are closely scrutinised prior to setting the classes. This time of the year is also when parents are requested to inform the school if their child will be attending a different school in 2022. Any communication from parents will be appreciated. 

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

Mr Christopher Paton