Principal Message Week 1 Term 4

Welcome back to term 4! What an incredible year we have had to date. It is hard to believe that after yet another long stint of remote learning we will finally begin to welcome back our students to school this term.

This year feels like we have been on an emotional roller-coaster. Over the course of the year we have had to grapple with an enormous amount of change. Not even last year’s experiences could have prepared us for what 2021 was going to hold instore for us. We have had to adapt, respond, pivot; often all within a very short timeframe and not just on one or two occasions. This iteration of remote learning is certainly a long way away from our experiences last year. Over the past two years we’ve gone from Remote Learning 1.0 where we were building the plane whilst flying to, dare I to say it, a model of remote learning that feels somewhat normal. And despite the length of time, we have been in lockdown, I think we continue to see just how adaptable, flexible, resilient, intuitive and creative our students are and can be.

Throughout all of this we have learnt a very important lesson and I know that this is a cliché but together we are stronger. And by this, I mean we have seen first-hand the power and richness that comes from school and home working in partnership. I have spoken about the importance of this for many years, but I think this experience has really highlighted how powerful this relationship can be for a child and their learning.

As we transition back to school over the next few weeks, re-establishing connections will be a vital component. From the outset of COVID-19 the wellbeing of our children has been front and centre. As they return it will be essential that we make time to reconnect: children with children and staff with children. Health and wellbeing are foundations for learning and that is why providing a positive and supportive learning environment first and foremost on their return will go a long way in assisting the children to re-connect to their peers and to school.

During each level’s first week there will be a major focus on wellbeing and social interactions. The way in which we approach this and the emphasis we place on it is going to be vital to ensuring the successful re-entry of our children back into the classroom, learning and to school. I know and I am confident that the return to school will be approached with the utmost sensitivity and care by staff and that your children will feel nurtured, supported and connected within no time.

So, it is with great excitement that we look forward to welcoming back our children to face to face learning. It is something that I know we have all been longing for and though it feels slightly surreal at the moment it will be amazing to have children within the school again. Because without children the school is just a building, and it is after all the children, staff and families who make this community so special.

Further information regarding the arrangements for term 4 return to school will be provided in a detailed Skoolbag message next Friday along with the return to school protocols. I ask that you read this carefully as it will outline the arrangements for drop off, pick-ups, access to the school etc.

As there are still many restrictions in place it is with great sadness that I have made the decision to cancel this year’s school musical. We were hoping to be able to pull it all together this term but with the prolonged time away from school and restrictions on singing and gathering as a whole school, it is just not possible. The musical will now be postponed to 2022. I know the children will be very disappointed as this was something they had all been working so hard towards prior to the lockdowns. I thank them for their work and enthusiasm and staff for their assistance and guidance especially Stephanie Young and Chantel Lazzaro (choreographers).

Please also note that all planned activities, events, sacraments etc in the school calendar are postponed until we have further directions.

Art