While we are looking forward to welcoming the children back to school, keeping up with the daily changes as we move out of lockdown is difficult. I am also aware of family concerns as we are monitoring current COVID cases each day. 

There are no further changes to report about the pathway to resuming on-campus learning. We have included information on the arrangements and measures that we have in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and illness in our community. All measures are consistent with advice from ACT Health, the ACT Government, the ACT Education Directorate and Catholic Education. We hope this will give you confidence in your child’s return to school as we welcome students back onsite.

The ACT Government has provided a pathway for the return of on-campus learning to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff. A reminder that Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 6 are planned to return physically to school on Monday 25 October with Years 3, 4 and 5 the following Monday on 1 November. Tomorrow morning you will receive the St Monica's Return to School survey. This is to help with our school planning and to gauge the feeling of families in our community. Please look out for the survey and return it by next Monday. 

While remote learning is still occurring, many of our staff will continue to work from home. We have in place a roster, which ensures that only a relatively small number of staff are present at school on any given day. This is to safeguard that, should a COVID case come in contact with staff or students attending school, it will only affect a small number, enabling us to keep the school open.

Some information/reminders for all:

1. There are to be no parents on the school site, except for emergency situations (please contact the school first);
2. Until the end of next week parent drop-off and/or pick-up will occur via our school drive-thru area. Please wait in your car or stand well back from the foyer entry;
3. From Monday 25 October we will operate our afternoon drive-thru for pick up at the front of the school and we will provide supervision for children being picked up at Chomley;
4.  Signage will be displayed when students return to remind all;
5. We must minimise unnecessary physical interaction between students on school grounds and ensure that students learn and play only with those in their cohort, wherever possible. We will be finalising these arrangements in the next week;
6. We have spoken with our cleaners and organised extra cleaning supplies. We have arranged for extra cleaning schedules and resources onsite during the school day to wipe down and disinfect high-touch areas, including classrooms and common spaces, in addition to regular daily cleaning;
7. There will be frequent announcements and increased signage around the school to ensure that children are practising good personal hygiene. This means covering mouths and noses when coughing and sneezing, frequent hand washing, not sharing food or drinks, minimising physical contact and practising social distance techniques where possible;
8. No child is to attend school if they are showing any COVID-19 like symptoms (e.g. fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath). They must remain at home and follow all ACT Health directions in relation to testing and/or quarantine instructions; and
9. The use of masks is one part of a suite of measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission.  All staff, volunteers and visitors who are onsite must always wear a mask and students in Years 3–6 are encouraged, though not mandated, to wear a mask. Staff, students and visitors are expected to provide their own masks.

Please know that we are ready to talk with you about any concerns you have regarding your child. As always, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher, or myself. We will also take special care to ensure children feel safe and supported, whether they are learning at home or at school.

Families Leaving

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. 

In the coming weeks planning for the 2022 class groups will commence. Please take some time to discuss with your child the four learning friends they would consider nominating once school returns this term. As always we endeavour to provide a child with at least one close friend in their new class group.