THANK YOU FOR TERM 2!

As we draw the term to an end, I wanted to once again say thank you to everyone for your continued support this term. It has been a massive term and whilst challenging at times, we have supported each other and become stronger as a school community. Please note, I have encouraged staff to take a complete break these holidays. It is important for us all to take time to breath, relax and spend time on those things in our lives that will re-new our energy ready for next term. For many of us, we continued to work through last holiday break, preparing for remote learning, so it feels like we have been going for 22 weeks straight without a break. Bring on Friday!

I have been busy showcasing our school over the last few weeks with 20 new Kinder enrolments for 2021 (at this stage), along with other students enrolling across other grades, both for this year and next year. At this stage we are predicting to have an enrolment of just over 200, to start the year off. This would be the first time for several years that we have hit over the 200 mark. A huge thanks to everyone for recommending us and speaking highly of everything we do - word of mouth is the best promotion we can have. 

We are busy preparing some events for Term 3. Now that restrictions are easing, we have a roadmap for schools. Please note, physical distancing, hand sanitising and tracing would still need to be in place, as per community requirements. For Term 3 we are planning (subject to health advice) the following...

- Morning drop off will remain the same for Monday-Thursday as we currently have. Drive through or park on basketball court and students walk into the building. This has proved effective, less separation anxiety and meant classes have been able to get stuck into learning straight away.

- Friday morning we will hold our morning assembly in the courtyard (once a week) where we will present Harmony Awards, acknowledge student birthdays for the following week, sing Australian Anthem and Acknowledge Country. Parents are welcome to attend this as it is outdoors. Physical distancing is important and parents are asked not to enter the building (not walking students into the classroom), only walking in and out the building to get to the courtyard and to avoid gathering together with other parents.

- Afternoon pick ups will return to normal. This will assist with a smoother afternoon dismissal. All parents to please park (near oval, church carpark or basketball court) and collect children from the courtyard. The message will be to 'come in, pick up and leave'. We will ask parents/carers not to arrive early and not to hang around afterwards. If you need to speak to a teacher, please arrange that at a different occasion. The staff carpark will be blocked off and no access for parents to drive through from the start of next term in the afternoons. There will be no teacher on duty in the carpark and therefore, it is too dangerous for cars to be driving through where parents, students and younger siblings are walking past. 

- Parents will still be asked not to walk through the school building. The sliding doors will remain locked during the day. All visitors and parents will need to enter via the office foyer and sign in and out for tracing purposes. 

- Class assemblies will be combined and moved to Term 4.

- We will begin Whole School Prayers, however, these might be limited with adults attending, as we will still need to keep track of those attending.

- We will host a student disco in the school hall (Friday 28 August) and an adult Trivia Night (Saturday 19 September) which will be nice to get some community connection occurring again. Save the Date!

We appreciate your patience and supporting us with the easing of restrictions. We look forward to moving ahead over the next 6 months to get back to some more normal routines and practices. 

PARENT COMMITMENT AGREEMENT

From 2020 onwards offers of enrolment for schools in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Catholic (CECG) School System will be conditional on parents of prospective students agreeing to be bound by the Parent Declarations and Commitments that are made in the Parent Commitment Agreement (PCA).

The purpose of the PCA is to clearly set out at the commencement of each child’s educational journey with Archdiocesan Catholic schools and the expectations that CECG has of parents within Catholic schools. It is designed to help us to keep students, Principals, teachers, support staff, and parents within our schools safe as well as assist the operation of our schools.

We rely on parents supporting our schools, our teachers, our support staff, and principals like myself. Co-operative working relationships with parents and students are a hugely important part of delivering our educational programs in an environment that is both physically and psychologically safe. 

Parish Sacramental Program

After a Parish Sacramental Team meeting on Friday, the following dates/times are confirmed. Please note, Sacrament of First Eucharist for Year 4 students, will move over to 2021 in Term 1. 

Sacrament of First Reconciliation (Year 3) - Key Dates for your calendar

Term 3, Week 1 - Thursday 23 July 6pm (Zoom) - Sacrament of Reconciliation Information Night

Term 3, Week 1, 2, 3 - Weekend of 25/26 July, 1/2 August or 8/9 August Commitment Masses

Term 3, Week 2-5 - Home Preparation (Book provided to work through as Parent/Child)

Term 3, Week 6 - Thursday 27 August - Sacrament of Reconciliation Retreat Day (at school)

Term 3, Week 6 - Thursday 27 August 6pm (Zoom) - Parent/Child Formation Night

Term 3, Week 8 - Sacrament of First Reconciliation (First Rite). Families to book in a time between 3.30-6pm.

     Tuesday 8 September - St Michael's Church (3.30-6pm)

     Wednesday 9 September - St Monica's Church (3.30-6pm)

     Thursday 10 September - St Monica's Church (3.30-6pm)

Sacramental of Confirmation (Year 6) - Key Dates for your calendar

Term 3, Week 9 - Thursday 17 September (Zoom) - Sacrament of Confirmation Information Night

Term 3, Week 9, 10 and first week of holidays - weekends of 19/20 September, 26/27 September and 3/4 October Commitment Masses

Between Term 3, Week 10 and Term 4, Week 3 - Home Preparation (Book provided to work through as Parent/Child)

Term 4, Week 3 - Thursday 29 October - Confirmation Retreat Day 

Term 4, Week 3 - Thursday 29 October - 6pm Confirmation Parent & Child Formation Night

Term 4, Week 5 - Sacrament of Confirmation

      Tuesday 10 November - St Michael's Church (6pm)

      Wednesday 11 November - St Monica's Church (6pm)

      Thursday 12 November - St Monica's Church (6pm)

I hope that everyone has a restful and enjoyable break. 

Please take of yourselves and each other. 

Kind regards, 

Pat Ellis

Principal