Principals Message

Dear Families

Last Monday at our Parent Forum Meeting when giving the Principal's report, it became more than obvious the impact that the current  COVID guidelines are having on our term. We have had to postpone many of our planned events. However, as a group we agreed that regardless, we have been very lucky,  considering the lockdowns etc that are happening for many communities and schools. We continue to keep them all in our thoughts and prayers.

As you are aware, the school receives regular Covid updates from the Catholic Schools NSW, the Catholic Schools Office and NSW Health. We will ensure families are quickly updated if anything changes. Please continue to check the Compass App and Newsletter for any updates. 

• As it stands now, the Zone Athletics Carnival, 1500 metres and the Diocesan Carnival have been postponed indefinitely. We will give you any further information about these as it becomes available.
• Some of our planned Excursions are unfortunately looking doubtful. We are waiting until this Friday for any further updates to guidelines from the Catholic Schools Office. We will keep you informed. 

In preparation for any changes impacting a school, we have been updating two important documents here at school. The Outbreak Management Plan looks at how we manage an outbreak impacting schools. This document talks about how we get students safely home, in case of a school closure. This document will be followed in the event of any school closure.

The Education Continuity Plan has all the Learning & Teaching plans, should we need to return to blended learning. To support this, our students will be revising the use of Zoom as a communication tool and check-in. In the event that blended learning should have to happen. ES1 and Stage 1 will use SeeSaw as their main form of communication and learning. Stage 2 &Stage 3  will use Zoom and Google Classroom to support blended learning. 

This information is being shared with you so that you are aware that we have strategies and information in place should the situation eventuate. Sharing the knowledge of these plans is not meant to create anxiety or stress but rather a reassurance that we are ready for whatever should arise.

A big thank you to our parent community for your adherence to the current Covid guidelines. We continue to keep those people in our prayers who are in lockdown situations and those who are ill because of the virus. Some reminders from those guidelines include 

• All visitors must sign in to both Service NSW COVID Safe Check-In and WOL (Who’s on Location). This allows us to meet child protection and emergency management legal requirements, AND the Service NSW COVID tracking QR system.
• Unfortunately, under the current guidelines parents are not permitted to visit classrooms or attend sporting events or assemblies. All group gatherings have been cancelled including parent-teacher interviews. Face masks are essential when entering the Office.   
• Unwell students, staff and visitors:
  If your child has cold or flu symptoms, please follow the health advice, get tested and stay at home while unwell. Students who are unwell and attend school will be sent home with the request to get tested. Visitors who have cold or flu symptoms will not be permitted to enter the school.

Just a reminder about students bringing mobile phones to school.  As stated in the parent handbook:

'Students are not permitted to bring mobile phones to school at any time. If there is a serious reason for your child to need to bring a phone (eg for after school use), please write a note explaining this and the phone can be kept in the office during the day.'

All student mobile phones are to be taken to the office in the morning and picked up at the end of the day. 

LOCKDOWN PRACTISE 

At St Joseph's we carry out an emergency lockdown practice twice a year as part of our CRITICAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT.  It is a procedure where a siren is sounded in the school and students and staff remain in the classrooms with doors and windows locked. The students and staff usually sit in a safe and hidden spot within the classrooms until it is declared that the lockdown practice is over. It is a very short procedure and is followed by a debriefing with the children. Emergency lockdown procedures are carried out twice a year so that children are conversant with procedures should there be a cause necessitating one.  We have had a lockdown this week, with the children being very sensible and safe. You may get some questions or the children may mention the event at home. 

TERM 3 SCHOOL FEES

The Term 3 School Fees have now been billed. Term 1 and Term 2 Fees are overdue and payment is requested. 

Please contact the school to discuss any outstanding balance or to arrange a payment plan. 

IN WEEK 3 OF TERM 3 WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR:

• Our Mini Vinnie Presidents Charlotte and Lean for the amazing job in encouraging our school community to donate to the 'care packs' to help people in our community.
• Our parents and students for their kindness in rising to the challenge of helping others through their much-appreciated donations to the 'care packs'
• Stage 1 for your wonderful assembly (sadly without parents present).
• Our staff for their preparation around blended learning and outbreak procedures.

Have a wonderful weekend! Stay safe and well.   

Regards