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Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to our school for what I am sure will be another productive and successful semester for your children.
COVID-19 update
Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn (CECG) have been considering the current spirally numbers of COVID-19 infections in the ACT and beyond. As you would have read in the Compass notification sent out on Tuesday, there have been some changes and modifications in relation to the operational side of our school. I am hopeful that with these changes, we will minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading in our community. My goal is to ensure you, the parents and carers in our community, are safe, as are your children. It is also essential that we do everything to protect our staff so they are here to continue the amazing work they do in teaching your children!
Moving forward, I ask that you:
- continue practising safe hygiene measures to reduce the spread of disease;
- report to the front office if your child/ren is COVID positive;
- keep your child/ren home if they are exhibiting symptoms. If they are, they must not come to school and must seek to take a RAT or PCR test as soon as possible;
- follow quarantine requirements - students who are close/household contacts are strongly recommended to stay home. Staff and students are required to follow the Public Health (Diagnosed People and Household Contacts) Emergency Direction 2022 when they are deemed a household contact.
Parents on Site
For the time being, no parents are allowed inside the school buildings with the exception of the Front Office. Unfortunately, we are unable to have parent volunteers in the classroom. Meetings should be held remotely. If after-hours, a face-to-face meeting could be permitted. Parents are warmly welcome to attend our morning assemblies.
Sacraments and Masses will currently go ahead as planned.
To reduce the impact of Covid-19 on our school in Term 3 and in line with CE recommendations I regretfully advise that we have had to make the following decisions;
- We will not be attending any sports/Gala Days in Term 3.
- Planned excursions have been re- focussed this term. Instead, classroom teachers are currently sourcing incursion activities for the students.
- Pathway sporting events will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
I am sure that you share my frustration but understand that our main goal is the health and safety of the students and staff and ensuring our school can continue to operate throughout the term.
Staffing
We welcome back Leyrizza Nyunt (Leyes) from maternity leave. It has been lovely to see the students filled with excitement when they have seen her. Patty Porteous is on long service leave for the first two weeks of the term. Mrs Kelli Rootes will be in 1PR for this time. Zita Clifford is on long service leave for the term. In her absence Mrs Elizabeth Prater will be teaching RFF. Mrs Anne Barbic is taking long service leave for two weeks starting on Monday 15 August. Mrs Nyunt will be teaching 5/6B for this time. Mrs Jamieson will be back from long service leave on Monday 1 August.
NAIDOC week
Our students have been learning about the significance of NAIDOC this week. Today a large number of our students watched a live stream of the NAIDOC Mass from St Christopher’s Cathedral.
Pupil Free days
A reminder that we have two pupil free days this term. The first is on Friday 6 August. Vacation care is available for those parents who require care for their children. Please contact TeamKids for further information.
School Canteen
Our canteen is back in full operation. Victoria is operating each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for lunch orders. If you haven’t already, pop in for a takeaway coffee after morning drop off (via the hall).
Yours in Christ,
Susan Chant
Acting Principal
RE Week 1 - Our Common Home - Connecting with Each Other
This week our focus is giving thanks. You could practise the simple act of grace before meals at home with your family. Pope Francis says “Stop and give thanks to God before and after meals. I ask all believers to return to this beautiful and meaningful custom. That moment of blessing, however brief, reminds us of our dependence on God for life; it strengthens our feeling of gratitude for the gifts of creation; it acknowledges those who by their labours provide us with these goods; and it reaffirms our solidarity with those in greatest need.” (Laudato Si, 277, Pope Francis)
Geoff RyanKinder - Wednesday & Friday
Year 1 - Wednesday & Friday
Year 2 - Monday & Wednesday
Year 3/4 - Tuesday & Thursday
Year 5/6B & KP - Monday & Thursday
56KM - Monday & Wednesday
Author Visit
Book Week Dress Up and Parade
Thursday 25th August - Book Week dress up and parade. The big one! For those students who also have gymnastics that day please consider outfits where elements could be removed to still participate safely or if needed send another bag of clothing to change into.
This Week
This week the students began thinking about what they dream of, where their imagination can take them and how authors and creators think of their inspiration.
Borrowing Days For Next Week
Tuesday 26th July - K-2, 3/4B
Wednesday 27th July - 5/6B, 5/6KP, 3/4J, 3/4G
Leah Godfrey
Teacher Librarian
(Term 3)
Happy Birthday
to the following students
who celebrated a birthday this week
Wonder Recycling Rewards Program
St Thomas the Apostle are participating in the Wonder Recycling Rewards Program 2022. This is a sustainability initiative in which students can recycle bread bags (of any brand), that might otherwise go to landfill.
These can be brought in at any time and placed in the pink box located in the front office.
For each box we fill we earn reward points which we will be able to redeem on new sports equipment for the school. This will be running until September 2022.