Dear Parents and Carers,

This week has been a difficult time for many as we learn about and respond to COVID-19. Unfortunately many of our usual events have been cancelled or postponed - please refer to our website calendar for these details. One example of this is that our traditional Stations of the Cross that will no longer go ahead.

At this stage, we are still able to celebrate, amongst ourselves, the Project Compassion Appeal although it will be modified. On the last day of term, 9 April, we are inviting the children to come to school dressed as something that starts with the letter ‘p’ and to donate to the Project Compassion Appeal. We will also be creating a prayer wall in our school corridor filled with the childrens' prayers for the world. Some simple ideas if you are struggling with what to wear are things like PJs, pirate, princess, etc. It is really about what you have at home that would be suitable for the day.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of good health and peace that we have enjoyed for so many years. As we find ourselves in this time of crisis today, we ask for your divine intervention and mercy to be upon each of us.

Come and guide the minds of those working to discover a treatment to the COVID-19 virus. Grant them wisdom, knowledge, and clarity of mind, so that all peoples will be free from the threat of this ailment.

We also pray for the healthcare workers that are standing in the front line of this battle. Father, we thank you for their hearts of service, putting the needs of society before their own, generously responding to the cry of Your people. We ask that You will grant them strength and protection. As they give of themselves in selfless service, may You fill them with your Holy Spirit as they work to be Your healing hands and feet!

Father, we also surrender to You all those who have been afflicted with the virus. Grant them Your healing grace, merciful Father, so that they may recover swiftly and continue to be witnesses of Your love in their lives.

Mother Mary, we ask for your intercession in this great time of need. Cover each of us with your blue mantle of protection, so that we may be preserved in good health to continue to glorify your son, Jesus Christ. We make this prayer through Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer.

Amen.

Source: https://popefrancisdaily.com/prayer-covid-19/

Nikki Dwyer

Religious Education Coordinator

Nikki.dwyer@cg.catholic.edu.au

School Sport ACT

Due to the current measures in place regarding COVID-19, School Sport ACT calendar events will not be taking place until the restrictive measures are lifted.

Unfortunately, there will also be no opportunity to postpone SSACT Term 1 events into Term 2 or 3.

All trials for state representative teams, even though out of school time, will be cancelled/postponed to keep in alignment with social distancing measures and not encourage students from different schools to be in contact with each other.

If the circumstances change to where selection events may be held, SSACT will keep us fully informed e.g. perhaps a one day swim time trial to select a state swimming team if the championships go ahead in August.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, various school events have been cancelled or postponed and have been noted accordingly on the online calendar.

The enrolment period for ACT Catholic schools 

has been extended until tomorrow

29 May

Catholic Education are using an online enrolment application tool which is available on the school website

https://enrolments.stbedes.act.edu.au/act-primary-enrol/start

Hardcopy forms may also be downloaded from our website if you prefer and submitted to the school of first choice.

Enrolment forms may be lodged any time between now and the official end of the enrolment period, tomorrow, 29 May.

Please note ALL applicable listed documentation must be supplied regardless of the lodgement method. 

Offers of places for 2021 will now be made at the beginning of July.

The following students received an award in Week 3:

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

WALK IN LOVE AND PEACE AWARDS

LEADERSHIP AWARDS

Don't forget to bring in your donations for the P&F Easter raffle.  Donations may be dropped into the front foyer by Thursday, 2 April, please.

The raffle draw will take place on Wednesday, 8 April.

If you’re like me, the news of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has your head spinning and your heart pumping. That’s only natural as life as we know has taken a seismic shift in recent days.

International travel bans, cancellation of sporting and cultural events, shopping frenzies and talk of school closures continue to dominate the airwaves. Terms such as social distancing, self-isolation and social lockdowns have entered our vocabularies and may soon become part of our daily lives.

Coronavirus is having an unprecedented impact on our daily lives, and will probably do so for some time. While keeping ourselves and children healthy and safe is our main concern, it’s also essential to address the anxieties of children and young people during these changing times. Here are some ideas to help inform, reassure and keep children and young people safe.

Build on what your children know

Children and young people have already been exposed to a great deal of information about coronavirus through media, digital means and direct social contact. Their understanding will vary depending on their age and also the quality of their information sources so you probably will need to help kids process what they already know.

Casual conversations with teenagers and older children can be useful ways to glean their understanding. You could ask questions like “What are you hearing about Coronavirus? Is there anything you’re not sure about?” Younger primary age children may need a more direct approach with parents addressing their specific concerns without giving too much information that can overwhelm them.

Check your own thoughts and feelings

Check your own frame of mind and emotions about COVID-19 before talking to kids. Most children are astute mood detectives and they’ll gauge their safety by the way you communicate with them. If you tell a child, “You’ve got to wash your hands or you’ll get infected,” you are communicating your own anxieties, making it difficult for them to maintain a healthy state of mind. Have a think about how you can frame your instructions and their importance in a way that doesn’t heighten your child’s anxieties.

Stay informed

It’s difficult to work out fact from fiction, correct from incorrect, information from exaggeration when the news is changing so fast. However you need to educate yourself about the virus itself, including how it’s transmitted and how to stay safe. Get information from trustworthy sources such as The Australian Government Health Department website and the current federal government corona virus information media campaign.

Answer questions truthfully

It’s important that parents and teachers answer children’s questions honestly in age-appropriate ways and within context of what is happening at the given time. If their sport or hobby has been temporarily cancelled empathise with their concerns, while helping them maintain a sense of perspective.

Initiate positive action

One way to reduce anxiety and allay children’s fears is to involve them in planning and preparation for their personal and group safety. Positive activities such as maintenance of personal hygiene, greeting people with an elbow tap and getting plenty of sleep can help restore a sense of control, that is so important for their wellbeing.

Find refuge in rituals

Regular rituals such as mealtimes, bedtime stories and regular one-on-one time provide both an anchor to normality and a sense of connection for kids at times of change. Consider reconstituting favoured family rituals at this time if they have lapsed due to lack of time, or lifestyle frenzy.

Look outwards

In difficult times there is a tendency to look inwards, which is a natural protective strategy. The alternative is to establish a sense of connection and community spirit by focusing on generosity and togetherness. Help children see past their own needs and look for ways to assist others whether it’s shopping for an elderly neighbour, helping a younger sibling occupy themselves, or planning an indoor movie night for the whole family.

The Coronavirus presents many practical challenges to parents and other important adults in the lives of kids. Staying calm, keeping informed, and adjusting our own habits are just some of the challenges we face. However a significant challenge is one of personal leadership. That is, during these difficult times we need to be civil to each other, look out for each other and be mindful of the common good in everything we do. In this, we can all take a significant lead.

by Michael Grose