We are almost halfway through the six week remote learning period if everything goes according to plan. This week we have had a case of COVID-19 impacting on the local community. Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted. Parents and carers are assured that the school’s protocols, based on the direction and advice of DHHS and CECV, are being followed.
Onsite Supervision
Please remember that we can only offer supervision to children whose parents cannot provide this at home due to work requirements or exceptional cases. If your child needs to be supervised at school, please register them by calling the school office, giving at least 2 days notice so that adequate supervision can be arranged. Children attending school are doing the same work as they would be doing at home under the supervision of school staff (teachers and/or Learning Support Officers). If we are required to roster on more staff, it means those teachers are not available for contact with their students on those days. As part of Stage 3 restrictions, staff who can work from home MUST work from home, so we are trying to limit the number of staff we call in. I thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Power Outage
We received notice this week of a power outage scheduled for Friday 28th August from 9am to 1pm. This will make any online contact from school impossible and, obviously, we will be without lighting and heating. Parents who would be sending their children to be supervised at school on that day may wish to consider other options if available. Onsite supervision will still be available but we will be engaged in “screen free” activities and doing our best to stay warm.
Letter from the Director
Please see the attached letter to school families from John Meneely, Interim Director of Catholic Education Ballarat, regarding fee support available to families in need.
Pick-up Day
Parents and carers will be informed by classroom teachers (via Seesaw message) when there are learning resources to be collected. These resources can be collected from the hall.
Free Activity Ideas
Please see the following notice and link from Outside School Hours Care for a range of activities you can do at home.
“ We are so excited to introduce to you our OSHC at Home program. With many families spending more time at home now than ever before, we understand that you may be looking for fun and innovative activities for your child. That's where OSHClub has got you covered.
Whether you're working (and schooling) from home or are after ideas for things to do on the weekend, this free program will give you the tools to keep your little one entertained in these challenging times.”
https://www.oshclub.com.au/oshc-at-home/
Seedling Drive
Please consider ordering from our Seedling Drive (see information below) and let friends and family know about it as well. We haven’t got many fundraising options available to us at the moment and I thank Anthony Leddin for coordinating this one.
Student / Parent Support
As I said last week, our Family School Support Worker, Melissa Lesu, has taken leave during this round of remote learning. Centacare, Melissa’s employer, has provided us with access to another worker, Vivian Lunt, in an effort to provide support to students and parents who may need wellbeing support during this period of remote learning. Vivian will be available to us for phone call consultations on Wednesdays. Please see her letter of introduction below and contact me if you feel you need to access this service.
Kind regards,
Peter Sanderson
Principal
