From the Principal
Dear Parents and Guardians
I hope this newsletter finds all families safe and well. My thoughts are with our community and all of Melbourne as we commence stage 4 lockdown. We enter this challenging time with the growth mindset that after 6 weeks we will be able to return to some form of normality.
Yesterday I spent the day ensuring that the staff that will be onsite for supervision had their workers permits as well as creating a COVID safe plan under the new guidelines. I never thought this is what I would be doing when I joined St Bede's at the commencement of the year.
Thank you to those parents who have sent through their request for supervision as they qualify under the criteria. I have been able to respond to the few that have.
The office staff will also be required to work from home where possible so if you ring please be patient as your call will be answered by either myself or someone who is manning the office.
Through my reading this week I came across the following paragraph and 4 key points.
As teachers and parents, we’re all feeling overwhelmed by the news about COVID-19 and the effects on our everyday lives. But, supporting learning and keeping a sense of normalcy and routine for kids is important, especially during sudden school closures. As schools and teachers are working quickly to create distance learning plans, parents are juggling many uncertainties including work situations and basic needs, all while trying to keep their kids engaged with learning at home.
This speaks very clearly to me and the situation we are all faced with. There will be times when we all need to take some "me time" for the benefit of all.
The four key points I found from the reading was
Focus on the key skills - when assisting your child with learning
Keep a routine - in general people like routines, they know what to expect
Stay connected - Through video chats phone calls etc
Enjoy family time - family is the constant during this time of isolation
Assembly
This Friday at 2:30pm is our second whole school assembly ( via google meets) for the term. The focus of this week's assembly will be a prayer service celebrating the feast day of Mary Mackillop (Saturday). All parents are welcome to join their child.
A message from Camp Australia
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced that only the children of permitted workers and vulnerable children will be able to access childcare during the current Victorian restriction period. This also includes families that are working from home in permitted industries.
From 11:59pm on Wednesday, 5th August, families will need to obtain one of two permits, signed by their employer, in order to attend Outside School Hours Care:
- If required to attend work onsite, they will need a Permitted Worker Permit (including childcare).
- If working from home, and needing access to childcare, they will need an Access to Onsite Childcare/Kindergarten Permit.
Enjoy your week ahead
Take care
Brian