Mrs Burton
A Message from the Principal
Week 10 - School Returns from Lockdown!
Announced today that we will emerge from lockdown at 12:01am Saturday 11 September,
Children will return to school on Monday 13th September for Week 10.
Level 3 Restrictions for schools
All students are expected to be at school unless they have even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms.
Under the current health orders, there is nothing to restrict students and staff who must attend school from moving between two areas with different levels of restrictions. Students and staff should reduce traveling to geographical areas with higher levels of COVID-19 restrictions in place.
Students and staff can continue to travel to and from school as per the public health advice.
A reminder for all families
Students must not attend work or school if unwell, even with mild symptoms of COVID-19. Any person with any COVID-19 symptoms must be sent home and not return to school unless:
- they have isolated for 10 days, when no medical certificate is available
- they have a negative COVID-19 test result and are symptom free.
In circumstances where children have other medical reasons for recurrent symptoms, a letter from their GP is sufficient to negate the requirement for a negative test.
Anyone who is unwell with COVID-19 symptoms is strongly encouraged to get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received. Find your local testing clinics.
School based activities
- Dance and/or drama are permitted in-line with COVID-Safe practices within classes in outdoor spaces. Mixing of classes is not permitted (except for HSC assessment purposes with COVID Safe practices in place)
- Schools must make alternative arrangements for graduations, formals and school dances that support the broader guidance. This includes:
- No mingling of student cohorts
- No visitors (including parents and carers)
- Events to align with current health order restricting size of gatherings
- COVID Safe planning.
- Personal hygiene, physical distancing, cleaning and record keeping practices must be adhered to at these events.
- Library activities are permitted in-line with the Infection Control requirement for Libraries.
- Uniform Stores can only operate if they:
- are online
- have pre-ordering arrangements in place, with one dedicated staff member attending outside of school hours to arrange distribution.
Visitors
Non-essential visitors are not permitted in schools. Some visitors are permitted in schools based on the guidelines that follow.
Parents and carers must follow their school’s advice regarding changes to drop off and pick up including staying in the car when dropping off and picking up children if safe to do so.
Parents should:
- maintain physical distancing by avoiding gathering outside of school gates
- remain outside of school grounds (note some exceptions may apply regarding schools for specific purposes, vulnerable students or students with disability)
- follow mask-wearing requirements and sign in using the Service NSW QR code when entering the school.
QR code sign-in process for all staff and visitors
The NSW Government have introduced mandatory QR codes across a range of additional settings, including schools. All staff and visitors permitted on school sites will be required to check in and check out using the QR codes.
What is permitted during school hours or within schools under these restrictions
Schools can continue to operate:
- Canteens where appropriate hygiene measures are in place
- Early childhood services (OSHC, vacation care, preschools etc.)
- Secondary College of Languages (formerly known as Saturday School of Languages).
Workers supporting the infrastructure development and maintenance of schools can continue on site. This includes contractors, general assistants, farm hands and other grounds support staff.
Allied Health partners and non-school staff that are unable to deliver critical services remotely.
What is permitted with modification - School based activities
- Dance and/or drama are permitted in-line with COVID-Safe practices within classes in outdoor spaces. Mixing of classes is not permitted (except for HSC assessment purposes with COVID Safe practices in place)
- Schools must make alternative arrangements for graduations, formals and school dances that support the broader guidance. This includes:
- No mingling of student cohorts
- No visitors (including parents and carers)
- Events to align with current health order restricting size of gatherings
- COVID Safe planning.
- Personal hygiene, physical distancing, cleaning and record keeping practices must be adhered to at these events.
- Library activities are permitted in-line with the Infection Control requirement for Libraries.
- Uniform Stores can only operate if they:
- are online
- have pre-ordering arrangements in place, with one dedicated staff member attending outside of school hours to arrange distribution.
Activities that are not permitted or on hold during school hours or within school grounds
Schools must cease the following activities:
- Singing, chanting, group repetition and choirs (except for HSC preparation and assessment purposes as outlined above)
- Sport (except for sport within existing PDHPE classes, provided this limits student mingling)
- Bands and ensembles
- Emergency drills. Drills should be put on hold until further notice
- Interschool activities and events including interschool sport, gala days, trials, knock outs and carnivals
- SRE/SEE/VSA
- Community Language Schools
- Assemblies
- School performances, productions, concerts, speech nights and award presentations
- Excursions, camps, field trips and principal-endorsed activities for students
- International excursions
- Student visits to aged care facilities.
School orientation programs are to be postponed until further notice.
Compliance training (e.g. First aid/CPR) is to be conducted online until further notice.
Community activities not permitted
- Community events (fetes, grandparents’ days etc.)
- Playgroups
- P&C activities, including meetings (unless held online only)
- All external providers and specialist programs not directly related to educational outcomes and support, including Community Use of School Facilities (such as markets and all after school activities) unless delivered online only
- Community Language Schools
- School holiday programs (noting that vacation care programs on school sites may continue).
Please see the media release that includes further details or the following COVID page in the newsletter with Level 3 Restrictions.
Masks
Masks are recommended for students in Primary school. If you would like your child to wear a mask when they return to school you will need to provide their mask. Please make sure your child's name is on the mask.
WEEK 10 - Book Week Parade!
Monday 13th -
All students return to school.
Book Fair will be open for sales Monday at 8:30am - to Thursday afternoon at 3pm, in the Library for students only.
(No Canteen)
Friday 17th -
BOOK WEEK PARADE - Come as your favourite book character!
The Parade will be be LIVE by Zoom for families to join in & watch.
Learning at Home
As we complete our learning form home for Term 3 can I say congratulations to our families for the amazing work you have been doing at home with the children, well done.
R U OK!
Today is RU OK day.
I hope you are all OK.
Take care, keep well and chat to a friend today.
See the link to the R U OK site which focuses on 'how to ask'. You might find it useful.
https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask
Term 3 ends Friday 17th September Term 4 starts Tuesday 5th October.
Term 4 commences on Tuesday 5 October. Monday is a public holiday, school returns on the Tuesday. Term 4 - Summer Uniform
Students return to school on Tuesday 5 October in their summer uniform.
P & F MEETING - Zoom Meeting Monday 13th Sept, 6pm
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://armcatholic.zoom.us/j/61824565102?pwd=SFVKTEJuZW0vQjQzaVIzZHB2WnRmQT09
Password: 735217
meeting ID: 618 2456 5102
FRIDAY WHOLE SCHOOL ZOOM
Join our whole school Zoom 10am Friday 3rd September to say hello, chat about your week, sing happy birthday to Amelia, Sybella & Hugh who had her birthday this week.
This Friday wear yellow to the ZOOM for R U OK Day yesterday!
ST PATRICK'S BOOK FAIR & BOOK WEEK
The Annual Book Fair is set up in the Library and will still be set up when the children return in Week 10.
PLEASE SEE THE BOOK FAIR CATALOGUE PAGE IN THE NEWSLETTER - TO ORDER YOUR BOOKS!
Survey My School - Change of Date
An annual satisfaction survey of parents, students and staff will be conducted on behalf of all Catholic schools in the Diocese this term.
The surveys are designed to gather feedback from parents, staff and students about our school and will be used to inform school improvement.
Responses are confidential and individuals can not be identified.
The surveys will be launched
using the email addresses supplied to the school. If you do not receive an email with a link to the survey, you can access and complete the survey at the following link. https://www.research.net/r/StPatricksWalchaPARENT2021
SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS
Our School Office hours are from 8:30am -3:30pm Monday to Friday.
If the school phone is unattended please leave a message on the answering machine.
In emergencies outside Office Hours you can also phone the school mobile 0428772328