Principal's Message
Dear Parents
I wanted to share with you something that crossed my desk this week… written by a fellow Principal in the Blacktown LGA, after hearing news that the lockdown was to be extended. It is thought-provoking and does put things into perspective. Please do not hesitate to contact me or your child’s teacher if you need to chat about teaching and learning and student well-being in this challenging time. We will get there!
You might be inclined to create a minute-by-minute schedule for your kids. You have high hopes of hours of learning, including online activities, science experiments, and book reports. You’ll limit technology until everything is done! But here’s the thing….
Our kids are just as scared as we are right now. Our kids not only hear everything that is going on around them, but they feel our constant tension and anxiety. They have never experienced anything like this before. Although the idea of being off school for weeks sounds awesome, they are probably picturing a fun time like summer break, not the reality of being trapped at home and not seeing their friends.
What kids need right now is to feel comforted and loved. To feel like it’s all going to be ok. And that might mean that you tear up your perfect schedule and love on your kids a bit more. Play outside and go on walks. Bake cookies and paint pictures. Play board games and watch movies. Do a science experiment together or find virtual field trips at the zoo. Start a book and read together as a family. Snuggle under warm blankets and do nothing.
Don’t worry about them regressing in school. Every single kid is in this boat and they all will be ok. When we are back in the classroom, we will of course correct and meet them where they are. Teachers are experts at this! Don’t pick fights with your kids because they don’t want to do Maths. Don’t scream at your kids for not following the schedule. Don’t mandate 2 hours of learning time if they are resisting it.
If I can leave you with one thing, it is this: at the end of all this, your kids' mental health will be more important than their academic skills. And how they felt during this time will stay with them long after the memory of what they did during those weeks is long gone. So keep that in mind, every single day.
Book Week
We will never miss out on our special Book Week parade. Thanks Mr Donnelly for creating this great photo.
Several general reminders
- Check your child's weekly schedule; they are sent out on Fridays via Compass. This will help you organise your week.
- Children are expected to attend their daily class meeting, their scheduled small groups session/s and submit quality work to be registered by their class teacher as attending school for the day.
- Please send through an absentee notification via Compass, if your child is sick and is unable to report in for their daily check in sessions or submit any work.
- Do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any concerns with our remote learning program or need assistance in any way.
- Remember technology can have a mind of its own and we are here to help as we want the children to be able to engage in their learning every day. We are all learning so please ask your child's teacher to help.
- Parents are expected to monitor screen time at home and any form of messaging occurring between students.
- Children should be suitably dressed to attend their online sessions. No one should be still in their pyjamas.
- If you are required to quarantine and need help please don't hesitate to call or email.
- In an effort to keep everyone safe and maintain our Remote Learning programs we only have a few staff at school each day. They are providing supervision and support to children whose parents are emergency essential workers or are in a vulnerable situation requiring support.
- If you need to send your child, advise the school the night before. This helps with our organisation and communication with their class teacher.
- School counselling is continuing. Please refer to the attached document should you require support.
Other Support Available
COVID Fee Relief
Catholic Education will again support families who have been financially impacted as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Term 3. The position of Catholic Education is that no child will be denied a Catholic education because of financial circumstances. For more information refer to the message in your Compass Parent Portal or contact carmel.maguire@cg.catholic.edu.au
Families Leaving
School Check-in
Continue to stay COVID safe and may God's blessing be with everyone.
Principal
Happy Father's Day on Sunday
