Thank you so much for your support over the past few weeks as we have transitioned to remote learning as part of the ACT’s health response to COVID-19.

Following advice from the ACT Government and Chief Health Officer, remote learning will continue for all Catholic Education primary school students during the first four weeks of Term 4 which begins on Tuesday 5 October.

Catholic Education will be working over the school holidays to develop further plans for a phased return to on-campus learning in Term 4 when it is safe to do so. Any plans will of course be completely subject to health advice, including in relation to case numbers and vaccination rates.

While I know this news is disappointing, the Chief Health Officer has made this decision based on what we know about the COVID-19 outbreak in our community. The health and safety of students, staff and their families, is our number one priority.

During remote learning, our school will continue to remain open for children who need to attend school. Those students will be supervised as they access the same remote learning program as their classmates.

Please remember the most important thing you can do is support your child’s wellbeing. Keep in mind that children can express their feelings in many ways. I encourage you to speak openly with your children about how they are feeling.

If your child requires extra help and assistance, counselling is available through CatholicCare. To access the service, a booking request may be made by contacting (02) 6162 6100.

You can keep up to date with the latest health information and advice on the ACT’s COVID-19 website www.covid19.act.gov.au

Please contact me if you have any feedback about remote learning, or if you have any concerns.

Please continue to monitor our school communication via the Compass Parent Portal over the holidays. To help with our planning for school supervision during Remote Learning in Term 4 I will send out a brief survey, at the commencement of the second week of the holidays, to gauge the number of children who will require supervision at school. Parents may opt for one to five days a week depending on a family's circumstances. Many teachers will also continue to work from home to minimise staff contact at school.

I hope your family is able to spend some time together relaxing during the upcoming school holidays and can step away from the screen and enjoy the sunshine that comes with our Canberra springtime. 

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the St Monica's staff for their amazing dedication and commitment over the last five weeks. They have worked tirelessly to deliver the best programs possible, considering our circumstances. I know they have reached out to many families and provided additional check-in to offer support. 

It is that time of year when I am required to submit our expected enrolment numbers for 2022 to Catholic Education. If you are aware your child will not be returning to St Monica's in 2022, please advise via email as soon as possible. 

My special wish for the coming term is that we do get the opportunity to come together so I can say goodbye to the children, staff and wonderful families of the St Monica's community.