Dear Parents and Carers

This week our students from Grades K – 2 and Year 6 returned to face-to-face teaching. It has been wonderful to have them back and staff and students report a great satisfaction with the return to school. Last week Sean Rutledge and I met with parents in two meetings, online via Teams, to discuss the new return-to-school arrangements. This meeting was followed up with a letter written by me that was sent home via Compass on Friday. For parents, the change which has the greatest impact, is that around car line pick up in the afternoon. A reminder please that:

• Students whose surname begins with a letter from A – K will be available to be collected between 3p.m. to 3.15p.m.
• Students whose surname begins with a letter from L – Z will be available to be collected between 3.15p.m. to 3.30p.m.
• Students from Grades 3 – 6 will be collected at the ‘hoppers’ end of the car line.
• Students from Grades K – 2 will be collected from the area outside the Kinder courtyard.

I appreciate the fact that these arrangements cause disruption to our normal routines and practices and that there is some adjustment needed. I acknowledge the possible irritation this causes. The adjustments will become second nature in time and will only be in place for this term. A reminder too that parents are requested not to come onto school grounds at pickup time, where the students are congregating. If you arrive at school to walk home with your child, please arrange to have them meet you at a point a little way away from the carline. If you need to park your car and get out to collect your child, please do so before 3pm or after 3.30pm. I thank all parents for their ongoing support. It is greatly appreciated.

Catholic Schools Mission Week

This week and next, the focus is very much on students and staff adjusting to the return of face-to-face teaching and learning. This means ensuring that the students are settling in to class routines and overall school routines, including, for example, the new zoned play areas. The students’ social and emotional wellbeing, after having been in lock down for so long, is a factor in the staff’s minds and we will tailor our lessons accordingly. In that context, it is good that some aspects of normal school routine are returning, and this week we are celebrating Catholic Schools Mission Week. Our Year 6 leaders are videoing in via Teams to class prayers and RE lessons around the school, and leading the students in a reflection on Mission Week, and those children around the world whose circumstances are far more dire than our own. Each class is completing activities with their Year 6 leaders. My thanks to Sarah Kennelly and Paul Jenkins (our Year 6 teachers) and Fron Garrett-Rumba (our acting REC) for their great work and coordinating this week, and to all staff for their support.

Catholic Leaders Day

At a system level, life is also returning to normal, albeit with some adjustments. On Thursday, Sean Rutledge and I are participating in the Catholic Leaders Systems Day, via Teams. All principals and senior leaders from the Catholic Education Office will be attending. We will hear international speakers Ed Hirsch and Natalie Wexler talk about trends in education and further develop our understanding of the Science of Learning. This is all in the context of the ‘Catalyst’ initiative, which is being implemented across the Archdiocese.

On Friday, I am attending the A.C.T. Primary Principals’ Association meeting, via Teams. Personnel from the Catholic Education will also attend, including the Director, Ross Fox. Days such as these help establish the normal routines that assist in giving shape and structure to our days, all of which helps in the return to ‘normal’ life.

Reports

Reports will be sent home via Compass this year, in Week 11. All schools in the Archdiocese are sending home a modified report due to the disruptive nature of remote learning and the changed circumstances around the children’s learning. All classes will report on Maths, English and Religious Education and one other subject area, with an A – E grade. There will be no written comments this semester. Parent/teacher interviews will take place in week 10, the week before the reports are made available via Compass.

Have a wonderful week with your families. Thank you to all parents for your support and good will over the many weeks of remote learning. Your support has been invaluable.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal