St Timothy's School Vermont

It is with great joy that we welcome our children back to St Timothy's. Whilst we cannot yet allow parents back on premises we look forward to celebrating as a community as soon as it is safe to do so.

This week Lara, Ellie, Carly and Nigel, welcomed their own little bundle of joy (of the furry kind) to their home. Luna an adorable Maltese Shitzu cross has found her new home. I am sure she will be a pampered and much loved pooch! I cant wait to steal lots of cuddles.

Don't forget to send Miss Jones pictures and information if you celebrate an important event in your family!

We are very proud of our continuity of learning over this term. With the wonders of modern technology and dedication to educating their students teachers were able to provide a rich learning environment.

I am extremely grateful for the professionalism and the above and beyond effort made by all teachers.

Zoom sessions, daily learning/expectation outlines, abundant feedback, video explanations. emails, phone calls, drive way visits and school work folder drops and pick ups  were just some examples of communication between home and school. 

Whilst remote learning provided many challenges for children , parents and staff we are thrilled to have gained many insights and will take with us some new practices into the future.

I would also like to send our sincere thanks for all the support provided by parents at home. I hope it gave you further insight into your child's strengths and challenges.

The excitement on the children''s faces this week will be memories we will treasure. Their greatest joy , being back with their friends. 

Due to the Coronavirus we missed our normal end of Term 1 Parent Teacher Interviews. We are currently working on Term 2 reports, which will look different to normal but will contain an overview for each area and a checklists of achievements but NOT the normal outcome scale score (as directed by Catholic Education Melbourne and Department of Education requirements).

In order to catch up with parents and provide further explanation and feedback on children's reports and remote learning experience, teachers will conduct Parent Teacher interviews in the first few weeks of Term 3.

At this stage this may need to be via Zoom depending on regulations.Further notification will be sent when interviews finalised.

Program Support Group meetings/zoom sessions will go ahead this term. Your child's teacher will contact you on regards to this.  

Families should have received a REFUND for any HOT CROSS BUNS ordered at the end of Term 1. Please check your child's school bag if you haven't received.

The Easter Eggs that were donated will be shared with children.

Whilst it is WONDERFUL to be  back at school, in order to maintain a healthy school environment , we MUST continue to practice good hygiene practices.

We are enforcing

• Hand washing and sanitizing regularly throughout the day and at specific times e.g. before and after eating before and after play and lunch breaks
• Bubbles ( drinking fountain) and Adventure Playground out of action 
• Children located at own table ans spaced over classroom spaces to cut down on multiple sanitizing requirements
• Additional cleaning to cater for cleaning of high touch point areas  e.g light switches. door handles. shared spaces/furniture
• If children are sick with even mild symptoms of cold /flu they MUST stay home
• If children show symptoms of cold/flu parents will be contacted and they MUST be picked up
• Drop off ( Car Park) -No exiting from car by adults 
• Loop pick up  ( No exit from cars by adults & NO Car Park pick up) teachers will assist children into cars
• Walkers (Parents only permitted immediately inside grounds at gate and MUST practice Social Distancing)
• Children will be walked to gate at the end of the school day.

THERE IS NO NEED FOR :

Staggered play and lunch ( due to generous grounds)

Staggered start and end of day ( due to drop off and pick up window)

IF YOU NEED TO SPEAK TO TEACHER:

Parents are encouraged to email a teacher if they have any questions or concerns and the teacher will reply either by email or phone.The teacher should be the first point of call.   

We were blessed today with a chilly start but beautiful sunny day, as the children arrived a a blaze of colors. Our aim today was to celebrate the children and staff being back together. Whilst we are very proud of all achievements of children, parents and staff whilst involved in  Remote Learning, we are delighted to have the sounds of children echoing throughout the school. A hot dog light lunch was provided after the children enjoyed watching a movie together. Thanks to the Cresswell family who sent along some biscuit treats for the children to share.

Reconciliation ( Year 4)      First Eucharist (Year 3)  Confirmation (Year 6)

At this stage we are still waiting on advice in regards to numbers able to attend masses and celebrations to re set Sacrament dates.

Reconciliation - should be able to go ahead reasonably soon.

Eucharist - usually has higher attendance with additional family members and this impacts scheduling. It may be limited to immediate family, but we will investigate numbers and then ask for special consideration and we will research possibilities/timing

Confirmation - we have no control over- a decision will be made by Archdiocese how and when this will occur.

PLEASE ARRANGE SPECIAL OUTFITS NOW  IN  THE EVENT OF SHORT TERM NOTICE OF THE SACRAMENT EVENT.  

A note did go home this week to all children making a Sacrament in this year. Please complete and return to school by Friday 19th June.

A reminder that any volunteers are required to have a current Working With Children's Check. St Timothy's greatly appreciate all assistance provided but we MUST meet the guidelines to ensure a safe environment for our children.

Thank you