Principal News

Special Message

Dear Sacred Heart School Community

Yesterday, our Premier issued a statement regarding the operation of all schools for Term 2. I am very aware that Mr Andrew's directive may have caused some consternation and concern about your child/ren's education. At the same time, I believe we need to trust our leaders that they are implementing policies and procedures that will alleviate the affects of the COVID 19 virus, and reduce the spread of the virus so that our lives can return to some normality, as soon as it is safe to do so.

The government has asked parents to keep their children at home for the duration of this term, if they can be supervised by a parent or appropriate guardian. These children will be educated through the procedures that the teachers planned late last term. This education which the government has termed "distance education", is a combination of both online and traditional resourcing, depending on the children's grade level.

Whilst in no way pretending to be some sort of expert on pandemics, we do know that isolation is effective in reducing the spread of this virus. Keeping your children, our students at home, is an important part of this strategy.

We are aware of the very sad reality, that many parents have lost employment during this time, as have people close to our staff. The government is also aware that those people who are still employed are crucial for the health, well being and economic stability of our community during this unprecedented time. All schools including Sacred Heart, have a duty to stay open so that the students from these families can be cared for whilst mum and dad are performing their critical work.

It is important to note, that any students who come to school will be required to complete the same learning tasks as their peers at home. No student will be advantaged or disadvantaged as a result of "distance education" or being at home during this term.

The school leadership team are meeting next Monday and then as a staff on Tuesday, to look at our initial planning and procedures and ascertain new directives going forward into the term.

To help plan for Term 2, I am requesting that parents whose child/ren will be at school when the term resumes because they are working and have no appropriate supervision for their children, email me by Sunday evening. If it is anticipated your child will only be at school on certain days, indicate this on your email. If your child/ren will not be at school, and will be undertaking "distance education" there is no need to email me.

mtierney@shpreston.catholic.edu.au

As I have frequently requested in correspondence, I ask that you be aware of the communication that will come from the school during these challenging times. Please check your emails regularly and remember all notices that are emailed also go on the Skoolbag app.

Now that we have a clearer time line, ie school operations will be compromised for at least this term, our teachers will be working and planning in accordance. It is most important that you are aware of any changes and modifications that take place as the term progresses, and these will be conveyed through your email.

Finally I would like to reiterate what I said in a letter late last term, I cannot think of a better staff to work with during these times, a staff whose passion and diligence has been heightened during these challenges. And to our magnificent families, who have displayed a very respectful concern and desire for clarity and willingness to support each other I thank you for your cooperation.

I ask God to bless us all during these times.

Yours sincerely

Mark Tierney

Principal