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Dear Parents and Carers,
Well, we are day one into a 7-day lockdown. I know that this is a worrying time for all of us here in Canberra. We started with 1 case yesterday and now we have 6 in the community. It has already begun affecting our school communities, with a case at Gold Creek High School having a direct impact on Holy Spirit School. My thoughts and prayers are with the students, staff and families of Holy Spirit school at this concerning time. I for one am thankful that a sharp and tight lockdown has been put in place, giving us the best chance of stopping this outbreak from getting away from us. Thank you for your messages and emails of support. We know that we are all wanting the best for our community.
As I said yesterday, the staff are spending today and Monday preparing to transition to Remote Learning, which begins on Tuesday. Each class teacher will contact you directly with information about timetables, check-in times and the provision of lessons. Feedback after last year’s Remote Learning was that there was often too much work for the children to complete. Teachers are planning a minimum of 2 hours work a day for the children, and we are mindful that there are some days this might be achieved and some days it won’t. We know that you will be trying to do your own work as well, so staggering the children’s work across the day may work better than trying to do it in school hours. If you have an important meeting that you need to be present for, then that might be a time when your child reads a book, watches something on TV, or is outside playing. If you find you need more work for our child, let you teacher know as they will have some suggestions for you. Lessons will be recorded (as will all interactions on Microsoft Teams) and can be accessed at the times that are best for your family situation.
Whilst we did Remote Learning last year, the present situation with the COVID-19 Delta variant is quite different. Delta is incredibly contagious and, unlike the Alpha strain, children are getting it and spreading it. This lockdown is intended to stop people moving around and interacting with each other, which will hopefully eliminate the virus in our community. For that reason, I am pleading with parents to make every effort to adhere to the ACT Health direction of having children remain at home for their safety, their family's safety, and the safety of our staff. If you have vulnerable circumstances or an essential worker and cannot work from home and need your child/children to come to school on Tuesday and/or Wednesday and/or Thursday next week, please fill in the following form:
https://forms.office.com/r/Frp0ak4APU
This needs to be completed by 5pm on Monday 16 August so that I can ensure that we have the right number of staff at school to support them in their Remote Learning. We will, of course, care for your precious children and look after them the way we always do.
During this difficult time we are all susceptible to feelings of frustration, fear, anxiety & stress. Please be kind to yourselves and each other, and together we can get through this. Reach out if you need help and please reach out to family, friends and colleagues to check that they are okay. Catholic Education are providing additional counselling support to our school communities during this time. If needed, you can contact CatholicCare on (02) 6162 6100.
Let’s hope that we are all back to school together next Friday.
Father’s Day
On a lighter note, we will continue to plan for our upcoming celebration for Father’s Day. This will be held on Friday 3 September from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. There will be games and activities run by the staff, and a barbeque dinner at 4:00pm, coordinated by the School Community Council. I will send out a form next week asking for volunteers to help for the afternoon. We are hopeful and even confident that this event will be happening.
Remember: Stay Safe, Well & Connected. We are all in this together and we will see you online next week, and back at school next Friday.
Yours in partnersip,
Ursula Jamieson
Principal
RE Week 5 - Who do you say I am?
This week our focus has been on solidarity. Caritas describes solidarity in the following way;
Everyone belongs to one human family, regardless of their national, religious, ethnic, economic, political and ideological differences. Everyone has an obligation to promote the rights and development of all peoples across communities, nations, and the world, irrespective of national boundaries. We are called by the principle of solidarity to take the parable of the Good Samaritan to heart (Luke 10:29-37), and to express this understanding in how we live and interact with others.
At a global level, we are called now, more than ever to stand in solidarity with all people. It is important that we stand with those who are oppressed, those who are suffering and those who are feeling the emotional and economic effects of the current pandemic.
At a school level, we aim to nurture in the students a capacity to empathise with their peers and to stand together with those who may be experiencing bullying or other stressors.
Eucharist
Unfortunately we had to cancel First Eucharist Mass last night. While this is disappointing for all involved, particularly given it was only hours away, we are committed to ensuring the safety of all members of our community. We have been so blessed in Canberra to date. We will contact you to reschedule the date as soon as possible and will involve you in what this may look like moving forward, depending on how restrictions unfold.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your commitment to the program and to congratulate your children on the beautiful way they engaged with their preparation. The Retreat Day was a fine example of their understanding of the Sacrament and the important place it holds in their lives.
I look forward to celebrating this special event with you at a later date.
Confirmation
I look forward to beginning this sacramental program with you as soon as possible.
Penny Vanzwol
REC
School Front Office Contact during Lockdown
Please note that if you need to contact the school during lockdown please call Naomi Trussler on 0414 036 764 or email naomi.trussler@cg.catholic.edu.au
If your child was absent yesterday there is a student pack available to be collected from the Front office on Tuesday from 8:30am.
Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who will cebebrate a birthday this week
Next week is Science Week. For some great online resources online see the link below.
At home experiments may be an opportunity for home learning. Slime is always a fun, family activity.
Please send photos of your experiments via email to lynette.wilson@cg.catholic.edu.au. The photos will be included in our next newsletter and also in the Yearbook.
Will Lipscombe was a courageous and inspirational member of our St Thomas community. Sadly, Will passed away in 2015. Will was well known for his understanding of heroes as being “ordinary individuals who find the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Will remains a hero in the hearts of many people in our community.
This means that even though Will is no longer with us in person, he will always live on in the heart of our community.
Our community has a HUGE heart.
Courage, spirit and honesty form the legacy that Will leaves in our community.
This year, Will’s family has had a book published about Will’s life. The book talks about several teachers at St Thomas the Apostle School and the impact they had on Will and his family.
This is a reminder of how lucky we are to be a part of this wonderful community. It also talks about how brave Will was.
The image on the cover of the book is one of Will’s drawings. It is a great reflection of bravery and courage.
Each year we offer an opportunity for students to contribute an artistic work in memory of Will. This year, we ask you to reflect on someone you respect for the bravery they show.
The entry form is attahced below and students can use any medium they choose.
Entries are due Friday 27th August Week 7.
We look forward to seeing your entries and the creative way you reflect someone you look up to for their bravery.
Please send your entries via email to lynette.wilson@cg.catholic.edu.au
Welcome to the TeamKids Fun Feed!
We know that most children are involved in remote learning at the moment so we wanted to send these activity cards for families to keep children busy and engaged.