We continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation globally, nationally and locally. I pray that we are all taking the advice that the government and Chief Medical Officer have provided us with and doing everything we can to keep our community safe.
Condolences
Our sincere condolences go out to the Jarrold family, Ailsa, William, Ella (Yr 6) and Hugo (Yr 6), on the passing of Ailsa’s father. You are in our prayers.
Triple P - Positive Parenting Program
Triple P online is now available for free to all Victorian families. The Victorian Government has funded the online Triple P – Positive Parenting Program for all Victorian families, providing access to expert parenting advice during these challenging COVID-19 times.
Sporting Schools Program
Our Sporting Schools after school program resumed this week. The program runs on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 3:20pm to 4:30pm and is supervised by Tom Sell, Naomi Harman and Harry Evans. Further information appears below in this newsletter.
Australian Dental Health Van
Thank you to those families who have returned consent forms for their children to attend the Australian Dental Health Van when it visits St Patrick’s in the week beginning Monday 24th August. Today was the deadline for these forms to be returned.
Crossing Safety
It has been noticed that some motorists are travelling through the William Street and Cox Street school crossings at an unsafe speed. We will continue to teach the children the importance of approaching the crossings carefully and waiting for traffic to stop but this message would have greater impact if it came from parents as well. Also, if parents, grandparents or other carers are parked across the road from the school at pickup time, please model safe behaviour and use the crossing yourselves as well as expecting the children to do so.
Remote Learning Survey
Catholic School Parents Victoria, along with Catholic Education Ballarat, invite you to complete the following remote learning family survey. The survey is designed specifically for parents/carers to provide feedback on your experiences during remote learning at home in Term 2 of 2020. Your valued feedback will provide Catholic School Parents Victoria and Catholic Education Ballarat with information to form future discussions and sharing of parent perspective with key decision makers to improve education and the learning experience for Catholic school students. Your feedback is valuable to inform us of the impact on student learning and wellbeing as well as the strengthening of relationships and learning between home and school. Click on the link to complete the 10 minute survey by Wednesday 12 August. If you have any questions please ring Liz McIntyre, Senior Education Officer, Wellbeing on 0417 498 902.
COVID-19 Restrictions
The following processes and protocols remain in place this term.
Access to the school limited to essential staff and services
Enhanced cleaning of high contact surfaces throughout the school day and at the end of the day
Restricted movement of students between classes
School staff observing physical distancing
Practising good hand hygiene with students washing their hands before and after each learning block and before and after eating
Cancellation of all off-site activities such as camps, excursions and sporting activities
Staggered dismissal to avoid large gatherings of adults at the front of the school.
Sick Students
Parents and carers are reminded that if children are ill, they are to be kept at home. If they are displaying cold and flu-like symptoms, they are not to return to school until all symptoms have abated.
Kind regards,
Peter Sanderson
Principal