Dear Parents

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a safe and restful holiday. I also hope that families that were able, had valuable time away together or a weekend getaway. I was absent for the first few days of last week as I spent most of the break in quarantine due to a visit to Melbourne. How our lives have changed!

We celebrated Bastille Day this week. This important day in French history always occurs in our school holidays but it is nice to still recognise it at the beginning of Term 3. All the kids looked very patriotic in the red, white and blue with some students even wearing berets. The activities and croissant morning tea topped off a great day. We thank Madame Sood for her wonderful organisation.

As was mentioned in last week’s newsletter, Catholic Education has decided that due of the uncertainty of COVID-19 cases on a daily basis in NSW, Stage 2.2 protocols will remain in place till further notice. The key points of this stage are as follows:

• We will continue to limit the number of adult visitors/volunteers on school sites.
• Assemblies will continue to be limited. Small assemblies, gatherings and performances can continue with limitations on parent/carer audience numbers. Mass should occur in line with restrictions for assemblies, with only the children attending at this stage. Our first Mass is in Week 3 celebrating St Mary of the Cross’ feast day.
• Parish sacramental programs can take place on church premises. Our First Eucharist celebration is scheduled to occur as per the calendar on Sunday 20 September.
• Overnight excursions will not occur at this stage. We can offer day excursions, however many of the venues are not taking school bookings.
• We will continue with the regime in place for pickup and drop off, however parents can visit to return students after appointments or for interviews.

The support from the whole school community has been much appreciated as we still negotiate through these challenging times.  

By all accounts the Parent Teacher Interviews/Three Way Conversations this week have been successful. It was very different this term with online conferences through Zoom and reporting in a modified form. Unfortunately, there were some interviews that did not occur during the specified times. It is important that parents reschedule if a meeting was missed so that students can set goals for the rest of the year.

During the holiday break, we had some work started on the work on the bottom carpark. This really was unplanned but the builders involved with the project next door offered to clear the site as part of the bus bay, new path and new fence work.

It is very exciting as I have wanted to replace the front fence for many years and the new carpark is a welcome bonus.

We will again offer Dance lessons this term, however it will be a modified five week program due to teacher availability. We are very lucky to again employ Mrs Janet Simpson as the dance teacher this term.

Just a couple of other reminders to begin the term –

• School supervision begins at 8.30am and concludes at 3.30pm. Outside of these hours it is important to realise that no formal supervision occurs and that parents need to be in attendance and vigilant during sports trainings and on the playground equipment.
• If your child needs medication dispensed during school hours, please ensure the correct form is completed when leaving the medicine.
• Please ensure all clothing is named as it makes it much easier to return items.
• Toys are not to be brought to school unless they are part of a class presentation.
• It has come to our attention that some students are wearing the incorrect uniform on a regular basis. With this in mind, students will be reminded about inappropriate clothing or accessories but if non-uniform items persist, a letter will go home to parents.  

It is hats on again from 1st August. As this date is on the weekend, this is just a timely reminder if you need to find a hat or purchase a new one. All children need to have a school hat to wear by Monday 3rd August.

I understand that the anxiety around coronavirus is still real for many of the community. Whilst school is back open fully to staff and students, we are still in unsure times and it is certainly not the same without community events. We pray that some normality will return shortly.

Have a lovely weekend and please take care.

Julie