Newsletter 13. 28-05-2020.Pub
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Issue 13 28th May, 2020 Our Classroom settings have changed to align with physical distancing. We are very fortunate to have double spaces for our students to work in. The junior students have settled in beautifully! CALENDAR DATES GOD’S TIME To everything there is a season, TERM 2 and a time to every purpose under Fri 29/5 Whole School Online Assembly—2:30pm the heaven: Prep—Year 2 Continue onsite learning A time to be born Week 8 Mon 1/6 A time to die Yrs 3-6 Continue Remote Learning A time to heal A time to weep Fri 5/6 Whole School Online Assembly—2:30pm A time to mourn Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday— A time to embrace Week 9 Mon 8/6 A time to keep No School A time to love Tues 9/6 Yr 3-6 Return to onsite learning A TIME OF PEACE Fri 12/6 Whole School Online Assembly—2:30pm Week 10 Tues 16/6 SAB Online Meeting—7:00am Fri 19/6 Whole School Online Assembly—2:30pm Week 11 Fri 26/6 End of Term 2—1:00pm Finish “Seeds of Hope” PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE Dear Families, Seeds of Hope Welcome back to the beautiful smiling faces of our Preps, Year 1s and Year 2s. We have missed you terribly and we are so glad you have returned. Congratulations to you all for being so independent and managing all your bags and belongings all by yourselves. We are so very proud of you all! Our transition back to onsite learning has been exceptionally smooth and the children have been fantastic in adjusting to the changes that have taken place; coming in to school, in their classrooms, in the playground and around the buildings. Students embraced the new seating arrangements which maximise the working distance between each student and they have been terrific in following the hygiene practices of regular hand washing and use of hand sanitiser. I also wish to acknowledge the support of all families in this process of transition and thank you for allowing us to put practices in place that ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our community. Thank you for adhering to the signs around the school and the requests of staff to socially distance or promptly move off from the school area. The school also acknowledges the hard work of our cleaning contractors Sebastian, Sue and Vince. They have stepped up the routine to include playground sanitising, increased toilet cleaning and more regular cleaning of high touch surfaces throughout the day. Sincere thanks from SSPP. There will be a time when we can gather together as a community to give thanks and to celebrate our successes during this period, but in the meantime we need to make do with our quick hellos, goodbyes and good job!!! With God’s blessing, take care. Trish Vandekolk SPECIAL REPORT: CORONAVIRUS - THE TRANSITION BACK Unfortunately, the reality of Covid-19 is not quite over and there is still a considerable amount of uncertainty. We have all experienced this event together and we are at various levels of transition and adjustment across Australia. The circumstances of this situation have significantly impacted students, parents and teachers alike. Emotions during this time have varied. For some it has been an opportunity to reflect on what is important, whilst others have embraced the opportunity to learn new things. One thing that has remained constant - the need for good parenting and supportive teachers. Both of which offer young people stability and familiarity, and are vitally important during this time of transition and adjustment. Whilst many children may be excited at the prospect of lockdown restrictions being lifted, others may feel mixed emotions. Each child’s reaction will differ depending on how well they cope with stress and change. As we all adjust to new routines, it will be vitally important to keep a check on our young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Encourage them to focus on the things they enjoy and value in order for them to remain motivated and ensure their sense of belonging. Dr Michael Carr-Gregg presents his latest report on the Transition Back. Parents are encouraged to access this video and any of the resources available through the website: https://schooltv.me/ “Seeds of Hope” PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE RETURN TO ONSITE LEARNING We thank you for your patience and understanding, knowing that it is about protecting all students, staff, your families, our families and the community as a whole. • ANY STUDENTS AND STAFF WHO ARE UNWELL MUST REMAIN AT HOME. • School begins at the regular time of 8:50am and concludes at 3:30pm. Punctuality is expected and will assist in the smooth running of school arrival. • Prep students will enter and exit through the front gate on Beverley Street and proceed to class through their front garden gate. • Year 1/2 students will enter and exit through the side gate on Hamilton Crescent (near our vegetable patch) and proceed to class through the courtyard doors to the building. • Yr 3-6 students attending for onsite care will enter through the front office and proceed to the supervising area. • NO PARENTS WILL BE PERMITTED TO ENTER SCHOOL BUILDINGS OR CLASSROOMS OTHER THAN THE FRONT OFFICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ENTRY LIMITATIONS • Parents must maintain social distance at all times and are asked not to congregate around the school gates or entrances. Remaining in vehicles until the 8:50am bell is recommended and leaving the schools grounds promptly will be required. • We will have many displays around the school both inside and out as reminders of how we can protect ourselves and each other. STUDENT SAFETY Parents are reminded to use the school crossing to cross Beverley Street. This is especially important when parents park at the top end of the school. The example you demonstrate to your child is how they will behave in the future. Please be mindful of this. ONSITE PROVISION OF CARE AND SUPERVISION FOR STUDENTS IN YRS 3-6 WHOSE CURCUMSTANCES MEET THE CRITERIA REQUESTS FOR THE COMING WEEK, INCLUDING BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE ARE DUE BY 4:00PM EVERY FRIDAY Requests must be submi ed each week. This ensures that adequate staffing arrangements are made. WHOLE SCHOOL ONLINE ASSEMBLY EVERY FRIDAY UNTIL THE END OF TERM 2—AT 2:30PM ALL STUDENTS TO ATTEND FAMILIES ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US THROUGH THEIR CHILD’S GOOGLE ACCOUNT “Seeds of Hope” PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE NATIONAL RECONCILATION WEEK 2020 In 2020 Reconciliation Australia marks twenty years of shaping Australia’s journey towards a more just, equitable and reconciled nation. Much has happened since the early days of the people’s movement for reconciliation, including greater acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights to land and sea; understanding of the impact of government policies and frontier conflicts; and an embracing of stories of Indigenous success and contribution. 2020 also marks the twentieth anniversary of the reconciliation walks of 2000, when people came together to walk on bridges and roads across the nation and show their support for a more reconciled Australia. As always, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and Australians now benefit from the efforts and contributions of people committed to reconciliation in the past. Today we work together to further that national journey towards a fully reconciled country. Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We strive towards a more just, equitable nation by championing unity and mutual respect as we come together and connect with one another. On this journey, Australians are all In This Together; every one of us has a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures. (Taken from the NRW Website: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-reconciliation-week/) SACRAMENTS 2020 At this time all Sacramental events; Family evenings and celebrations for First Holy Communion and Confirmation are postponed until suitable dates can be arranged when it is safe to do so. We will be advised by Mons. Tony Ireland as to a possible date for Confirmation later in the year and we await the lifting of restrictions for public gatherings in the church before a suitable date for First Communion can be made. We will inform families in the coming term whether the Sacrament of Reconciliation needs to be re-scheduled. In the meantime, class programs for Sacraments will continue to be delivered to ensure students are prepared to receive their sacraments when the time comes. SCHOOL FEES Thank you to families who have continued to make payments of school fees during these difficult times. We understand that for many this is challenging. Current statements for school fees will be issued to families at the beginning of Term Three and will include details of an extension of the due date for final payment now being the last day of school—Wednesday 16th December. Families experiencing financial difficulties are asked to contact Trish and a confidential conversation can be held. UNIFORM SHOP The uniform shop will be open on Monday and Thursday between 9.00-10.00am. “Seeds of Hope” SCHOOL NEWS LIBRARY NEWS The students participated with 1 million other children watching and listening to Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas. The students completed many wonderful activities including making tiaras, word finds, crosswords and decorating chicken divas in the Italian lesson.