It's the Principal. 

Dear students, parents, and carers, 

This term certainly did not turn out the way we might have expected. Instead, we had a number of settings to navigate with our children at home, our work, and our school. The end result has been different for everyone, and I acknowledge that we are not all in the same boat. Instead, we are all managing the Pandemic in our own way. 

Here at school, we are doing the same. This term each child managed the circumstances differently, by each family and each staff member supporting one another. We all come to the school with a unique and personal perspective of how we can continue to place one step in front of the other. 

Stepping slowly has helped us to focus on what is important. It’s been critical to maintaining a sense of calm, and student wellbeing. It’s been important to focus on regular structures and routines both onsite and off. It’s been essential to focus on relationships and supports for recovery after times of great change. 

During term three students and staff have been working in sections exclusively. Our specialist teachers and therapists have been embedded in a section for contact tracing and social distancing purposes. Based on the health advice, our sections have been rather contained. In each section, the students and staff have planned activities they can be sure of. By planning for things that we are sure of, we reinforce routine and structure to create patterns we can predict or foresee.  

When the health advice approves the school to open, sometime in the future, we would like to have plans for students that have meaning, are purposeful, and provide the students opportunity to succeed.  

Thank you for staying safe and following the health advice when coming onsite. Thank you for following the health advice at home. We really look forward to next term and ways to work together for each child at Yarrabah. 

Take care and stay safe over the holiday period everyone. 

Regards, 

Matthew Harris