Dear Parents and Carers,

As we begin this week, we are coming to terms with the welcomed news of some meaningful and tangible steps out of our current lockdown situation. As we start to have more opportunities to reconnect with our community face to face, I would like to share with you this prayer.

Open my eyes, Lord

Help me to see your face

Open my eyes, Lord

Help me to see

Open my ears, Lord

Help me to hear your voice

Open my ears, Lord

Help me to hear

Open my heart, Lord

Help me to love like you

Open my heart, Lord

Help me to love

I live within you

Deep in your heart, O Love

I live within you

Rest now in me

Staggered Return to Onsite Learning

This week it has been an absolute joy to see our prep students walking through the school gates of a morning as we start to make the transition out of Lockdown 6.0.

During recess and lunch, the children have thoroughly enjoyed each others’ company, playing in the sandpit, building cities in surrounding sand, playing ‘shops’ or kicking the footy on the freshly mown oval. My observations of the children playing is a reminder that we humans are social creatures and we need each other to be able to thrive and develop in this world.

Thank you to the families for your continued support with the school drop off and pick up routines. This week we are trialling the use of the basketball courts as a socially distanced meeting place for school dismissal for the year levels onsite and onsite supervisions students. It is important that families meet up promptly with their children at this time and leave the school premises as soon as possible.

Last Sunday, the State Government announced that Year 5 and 6 students would also be returning to school this Friday. This is exciting news for our senior students as they look forward to seeing each other in person again.

The Week 4 edition of the “Return to School Directions” will be shared with families via Operoo this Friday 22nd October.

As a reminder as we return to the school site, the Chief Health Officer has made the following directions in relation to mask-wearing.

Directs students in Year 3 to Year 6 to wear face masks when indoors on school premises, unless an exception applies.
Recommends that all other children wear face masks when at school, attending an OSHC program, or when travelling to and from school on public transport, taxis or ride share vehicles.
There are a number of lawful reasons for not wearing a face mask, including for staff and students who are unable to wear a face mask due to the nature of their disability, medical or a mental health condition.

Where possible, outdoor shaded and covered working areas will be utilised by classroom staff to take advantage of increased ventilation.

Parents are asked to contact me at principal@ssrowville.catholic.edu.au regarding exemptions for wearing a mask indoors. As a school, we will work with families and the exemption reasons allowed for not wearing a mask indoors

St Simon’s School Review

The work of school review has continued this week with two full days of Zoom meetings between the school reviewer Judi Hanke and groups of staff, students, and parents. The school review process has been a very reflective and worthwhile activity for our school staff and community. We are looking forward to using this opportunity to inform the continual improvement focus of the school for the next 4 years.

School Family update of School Improvement Survey

It has been encouraging to see that to date over 140 families have requested access to the 2021 Family School Improvement Survey. Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective about our school. The survey period remains open until Thursday 28th October so there is still plenty of time for families to complete and be part of the collective voice.

Please see the Family School Improvement Survey section in the newsletter for more information.

School Closure day Monday 1st November

Please note that Monday 1st November is a school closure day to allow school report preparation to take place. Depending on minimum numbers, Beyond Edu Care will be open to considering a school closure care service. Details of these arrangements will be shared with families in future newsletters.

Support one of our local kindergartens

I would like to draw your attention to some information in the newsletter regarding one of our local kindergartens. Liberty Avenue 3-year-old program kindergarten has been part of the Rowville community for over 30 years. If any of our school families have a child who would be eligible for 3year old kindergarten in 2022, I encourage you to seek out the information regarding Liberty Avenue in the Community News of the newsletter this week.

Some exciting news from the Staff

Last week we received the exciting news that Bianca and Luke Gilling welcomed Amity Patricia into the world. We are absolutely thrilled that mum and baby are doing well.

Also, Andrew Johnson and his wife Meg announced last week they are expecting child number two. We await the news early in 2022 of the new addition to the Johnston family.

God bless

Tom Wursthorn

Principal

Parenting Ideas