From the Principal...   

Dear Parents and Friends,

I hope that you were able to enjoy the glorious Autumn sunshine over the weekend. In Art last week, Mrs Hogan has been making the most of the Autumn leaves that are no doubt everywhere at the moment and asked the children to show what they can make from the colourful leaves. 

I hope you enjoy looking at some of the Autumn Leaf artworks by the students in Year 2OB and 2H. They look fantastic.

Return to Classroom Learning Arrangements

Last week, we announced the government's plan to stagger the return of students to Classroom Learning. Students from Foundation to Year Two will return to school on Tuesday 26th May. On Tuesday 9th June, all students will resume at school. We look forward to welcoming the F-2 students back next week and the rest of the school in a few weeks!

Monday 25th May is a SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY for both Remote Learning and On-Site Learning, please do not send your children to school on this day! 

I am sure that there are mixed emotions about returning to school. For many of our students, they have now been at home for at least 8 weeks! So, while many students would be excited to see their teachers and friends again, I understand the worry and anxiety that you may be experiencing at the thought of sending your children back to school.

Please speak to your child/ren about coming to school and explain to them that they will not be able to hug one another or their teachers. We are going to introduce a new greeting and follow the Japanese greeting model of a small head bow with hands together. This is respectful and does not involve touching! I'm sure Sensei Andrews will be very happy to lead us in this new practice.

We are doing everything possible to ensure the safe return of all students and staff and it is my intention to communicate updates to changes to procedures as they occur in a timely manner.

In order to keep our students and staff safe, we are implementing the following:

• Increased cleaning at the school will occur throughout the day, with cleaners being employed to disinfect all high touch areas including tables, chairs, benches, door handles, toilets, play equipment etc.
• Drop Off and Pick Up will differ with families whose surnames begin with A-K using the Endeavour Drive Gate and those families with surnames between L-Z will use the Mitchell Court Gate between the usual times of 8:30am - 9:00am and 3:30pm - 4:00pm. Those children who access Before and After School Care will use the Merinda Park Gate.
• Parents/Carers will not be able to enter the school grounds at these times. We ask that where possible you remain in your cars and allow your children to walk to the gates along the footpaths and across the pedestrian crossing.
• Any parent/carer who finds it necessary to come into the school will need to phone ahead as the doors will remain locked throughout the day.
• Where possible students will not share any equipment, such as pencils etc. Equipment that must be shared, such as iPads, will be disinfected between each user.
• The playground will begin to reopen. At this stage, the Sand Pit and the Galaxy Climber will remain out of bounds until further notice. However, the monkey bars and slides may reopen. This is due to the strict cleaning schedule. All students will be required to wash and sanitize their hands before and after using any playground equipment.
• Teachers have been instructed to provide extra time in the daily schedules to allow students to wash and sanitize their hands throughout the day and especially before and after eating, going to the toilet and going outside to play.
• Until further notice, Whole School Assemblies and Masses will not run.

We ask that parents/carers make sure that each child is provided with;

• a drink bottle - Students are not permitted to use the drinking fountains until further notice
• lunch and snacks - The Canteen will not operate for the remainder of Term 2.
• breakfast - No Breakfast Club until further notice

After May 26, the remote learning will cease for students in Foundation to Year Two and after June 9, remote learning will cease for all students.

Where parents/carers choose to keep children home instead of returning them to classroom learning, St Therese's will no longer be required to provide a Remote Schooling Program. However, St Therese's will endeavour to provide extended absence work program and your child will be marked absent from school. Please understand, that once Classroom Learning resumes, it is the teachers' priority to provide learning for those children who are present in the classroom.

We ask all parents/carers to keep their child at home if your child is unwell. Upon on arrival to school or during the school day, if your child becomes or is unwell, you will be contacted and required to come and collect your child. 

If your child is experiencing signs or symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough or sore throat), it is recommended that appropriate medical advice is sought. Your child should not be sent to school.

We would also like to inform parents that the school wno longer be conducting temperature checks of students, staff or visitors to the school. Instead, the school will continue to implement known controls, such as good hygiene measures. These details are included in the letter that was also sent out to parents regarding the Return to Classroom Learning and is attached here for your reference.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all parents/carers for the overwhelming support you have shown throughout this challenging Remote Learning period. 

I would especially like to thank Christine Martin (Thomas' mum) for donating to the school surgical face masks and to Aaron Austin (Brayden's dad) for donating hand sanitizer. We are very grateful for your acts of kindness!

Maria Kirkwood, Director of Catholic Education Sale also wishes to extend her heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited (DOSCEL).

I look forward to sharing more information with you as it becomes available. As always, if you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to phone the school on 59967525 or email me directly via principal@sttcbourne.catholic.edu.au

Cyber Safety Webinar - Link

DID YOU MISS LAST WEEK'S CYBER SAFETY WEBINAR? 

TOPIC: "RAISING KIDS IN A DIGITAL WORLD"

We are pleased to let everyone know that the recording of last week's cyber safety webinar for parents is now available to watch until May 28th. 

This is what parents said about the webinar:

"Fantastic session. So valuable! Thank you so much"

"Terrific and informative presentation. Thanks."

"Thanks to you both. That was very engaging and informative. Now we have a set of goals for ourselves to enact upon in the coming days. Love the tips and tricks. Awesome!"

To watch the replay, as well as access to all of the slides, links and resources, visit:

www.informandempower.com.au/may14

Password: parents 2020

Families requiring assistance 

I am pleased to pass on this information.

Are things tough right now? If you live in Cranbourne, Hampton Park or some of the surrounding suburbs, CISS might be able to help.

What we can help with?

• Food and supermarket vouchers
• Petrol vouchers
• Chemist costs
• Education costs
• Counselling for adults and children
• Financial counseling and support to negotiate bills
• Referrals to other services like housing
• Lots of other information and support available...

All you need to do is call us on 5996 3333 between 9:30am and 4:00pm Monday to Friday. You can have a chat with one of our friendly volunteers who will see how we can help you.

Attached is the CISS brochure for more information

Website is http://www.cranbourneiss.org.au/

National Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)

Each year, schools are required to submit data on students with disabilities to the government.

It counts the number of students who receive additional adjustments or ‘help’ at school because of a disability. The NCCD helps governments plan for the needs of students with disabilities.

Consent is not required for this data to be collected.

The following link contains a fact sheet for parents regarding NCCD and the process involved in collecting the data. The information has also been included in four languages (Arabic, Simple Chinese, Vietnamese and Tagalog)

Please check out the 'Remote' Community News page for great learning from across our school! If you would like to share your own remote learning photos of your family, please don't forget to email them to me so I can include them in the newsletter! principal@sttcbourne.catholic.edu.au 

Have a happy week,

Michelle Bruitzman