PRINCIPAL AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents and Carers,
The news of an extended lockdown did not surprise many of us. However, the announcement of four weeks of the next term of remote learning was unexpected.
Our community is doing an amazing job of supporting each other during this time. Our teachers are boosted by the support we are receiving from parents. While not everything we do is right for every family, every child, every day please know we are listening and adapting. Please reach out with ideas. Reach out for support. We are working with families in many different ways to support the wellbeing of our community at this time.
Wellbeing time
For our students and staff, it is going to be so important that the holidays feel very different to online schooling. The challenge is how to do this while everybody is at home together, with most parents still working from home each day.
With that in mind we offer you some thoughts gleaned from many conversations and various ‘expert’ publishings:
- Switch off the routines you have during school as much as possible. Pack away the school stuff to signal the change. Together create a holiday timetable. Plan for pyjama days, movie days, camping in the yard. Let them know when they have adults actively with them and when they have to occupy their own time.
- Set tight guidelines for screen use. Maybe it’s only to be used for social or creative actions; during certain times or weather. Definitely take the devices away to run software and app updates. There are important security patches being pushed out presently as there is a huge rise in cyber attacks and scams.
- What’s deeply missing about isolation are many joyful experiences. The silver lining is we have the time to enjoy small things. Children love being curious about the world and being bored creates opportunities for creativity. Old toys, a slow walk, gardening or craft cupboards can fill many hours.
- Social contact is important for children and adults. Can you help your child arrange to meet friends outdoors somewhere? Walk; swap books, puzzles and games; share a packet of seeds; have a picnic. Maintaining this social contact is essential for the time when we do gather together at school again.
- And when you need some help, we have collated some of the best we have seen over the past weeks into a grid of Holiday Ideas for you. We hope it helps.
We welcome your feedback through our survey
We invite you to complete a quick survey now about Remote Learning, as we prepare for four more weeks. Only answer the sections about the year level your child is in. All questions are optional. Open the survey here:
https://forms.gle/hKUaRQAvzaMmRdb26
The survey completed by many families at the end of lockdown last year has guided us strongly as we designed our Remote Learning plans this year.
Families asked for more:
- paper worksheets for the younger children
- video examples and introductions from teachers
- time online with the teacher
- ways to access the slides, not just through the google classroom
- reading materials
Families asked for less:
- family focused and adult directed activities
- equipment needed
- work. Make it clear what is essential and what can be abandoned
Families liked our:
- clear channels of communication
- celebration of children’s work in the newsletter and Facebook
- teachers responding via email
- support from the Learning Support Team
- processes for welcoming students back to school
How do we get ready for Term 4?
- Drive through pick up for new work packs: We have new work packs for you to pick up from school for every child K-6. We will operate a drive-through system. If you need a friend to pick them up for you, that is fine. Just make sure they know exactly what child and class they are picking up for.
- Thursday 30th September between 1 - 2.30pm and 4 - 5.30pm
- Friday 1st October between 8.00 - 9.30am and 10.30 - 12 noon
- If you can’t drive through during those times, you have two other options:
- visit the office on Tuesday 5th October. Maintain social distancing rules.
- ask the teacher to email you a copy of the PDF (not all items can be sent this way however)
- Read the emails from your child’s teachers. We will send them to you on Friday 1st October.
- Set up the learning spaces in your home again
- Update software and apps on devices
- Re-establish the routines for Remote Learning in your home
- School starts on Tuesday 5th October, after the long weekend
Essential Workers
Attendance at school is reserved for students of parents/carers who are unable to provide care for their children, and for vulnerable students. Please refer to the ACT website for details of who is considered an essential worker. https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/
If you need supervision for your child during the school day*, you must make a request the front office so we can make staffing arrangements. Please email office.shps@cg.catholic.edu.au as soon as you know your needs. We will need to be advised before 12 noon of the working day before your child’s need for supervision at least. (Please phone the school in case of emergency).
*Due to skeleton staffing children booked in for supervision cannot arrive before 8.55am and will need to be picked up by 3.15 pm. If you need care outside of these hours you must make alternative arrangements. Our provider of before and after school care, YMCA, is available. Phone 6242 4040 or via https://ymcacanberra.org.au/school-aged-care-programs/
Staff Mass
Staff were blessed to celebrate mass with Fr Richard on Wednesday. Even Fr Richard has mastered Remote Teaching!
Thank you for everything you are doing from home, we really appreciate your energy and support during remote learning. Wishing you the best over the school holiday break, we look forward to seeing you sometime next term.
Take Care and Keep Safe
