Principals' Message
A message from Alison and Lisa
Dear Parents/Carers,
We strongly encourage you to read our newsletter in full to ensure you are getting all the relevant information at this time. Please make yourself a cuppa, sit down and read the information provided so you are fully informed and up to date with what is happening at St Edward's School right now.
How lovely it has been having our students and staff return to school this week, albeit in staggered stages! It has been wonderful to see how the extended break has given many students a greater appreciation of how important and good school is and a desire to be back into the school routine. Currently our teachers are carrying out a "well-being check in" with each of our students to ascertain how they are feeling and how they can be assisted in areas of their learning at this point in time after the forced break. This is proving to be a very valuable conversation between our students and teachers as they begin to return to the school environment and adjust to the "new normal".
Thank you for your support in helping to stagger our student attendance so that our teachers can do their job well and remain safe whilst still providing the level of educational support in accordance with what has been mandated by the NSW Government and Catholic Schools Office. We continue to strive to provide the highest quality of education as well as care and concern for the well-being of our students, staff and families.
Entering school grounds
Though we appreciate it may be difficult, it is important that parents remain outside of the school grounds when dropping off or picking up students in person. Rest assured staff will care for any student anxious or upset and parents/carers will be contacted should this escalate. This is to protect our staff and parents and to prevent another wave of COVID-19 eventuating in our community. If you do need to enter the school grounds at either campus, please do so via the Office where measures are in place to protect both parents and staff and our friendly office staff can assist you. Thank you for anticipation of your support in this matter.
Timetabling of attendance at school until further notice. We ask that parents adhere to this timetable where possible.
Learning experiences
Currently, students who attend school are undertaking the same online learning experiences as those students who continue their learning from home. Therefore, it remains an individual family decision as to whether students return to school or continue their learning from home for this week and next week.
High-risk students and staff
Students who meet the NSW Health definition of ‘higher risk’ should not attend school for any reason. Students who are displaying any signs of illness must also remain at home. Please be aware that we have some members of staff at our school who meet the NSW Health definition of ‘higher risk’, and these staff members will continue to work from home. Staff will also be required to stay away from school if they are displaying any sign of illness.
Health and hygiene
We remind parents that your child’s mental health and well-being is an important consideration in the decision to have them return to school. Centacare has expanded its services to ensure that support can still be provided during this period. Students are still able to access the free and confidential counselling service by calling Centacare Armidale on 6738 7200.
We have installed additional dispensers at all entry points to both campuses. The school has also increased the cleaning schedule by sanitising classrooms, staff rooms and office areas that are in use during the day. We have increased signage around the school outlining correct hand washing, social distancing and coughing etiquette. Each classroom has their own bottle of hand sanitiser and this is refilled as required.
Students who become unwell at school
In accordance with our school policy and existing procedures, students who become unwell at school will be moved to the sick bay. Parents will be called to collect students who are unwell.
Social distancing and student behaviours
Parents are encouraged to discuss with students the importance of social distancing requirements and to encourage students to travel directly to and from school and home, and not visit other places such as shops during their travel.
Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP)
The Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP) continues to operate under the NSW Health social distancing and hygiene Guidelines.
Attendance
If your child continues to learn from home, their attendance will still be recorded.
Out of school hours care
Early Childhood Education and OOSHC Services are still considered an essential service by the Federal and State Governments and therefore will remain operational unless we are informed otherwise.
Winter Uniform
We wish to advise parents that the official date for changeover from summer to winter uniform is after the June long weekend (Tuesday 9th June). However, as the weather has turned very chilly, we are now allowing students to wear either full winter (INCLUDING A TIE) or full summer uniform during this transition period. The following new school winter items are available for purchase: jumper ($35), jacket ($70), tie ($25), girls navy knee high socks ($10), girls winter navy tights ($10), scarf ($10). To help minimise parent contact, our preferred method of purchasing uniform items is via the Qkr! App and your clothing order will be then sent home with your child.
Term 2 Sport
All Diocesan and Inter Diocesan School Sport scheduled for Term 2 has been cancelled.
Please be assured that the staff at St Edward's School will continue to work together to provide the very best learning experiences for all our students and to support their pastoral care and well-being during this challenging time. We all pray that our lives return to a more normal state as soon as possible, however we know it is important to continue to maintain social distancing and good hygiene.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss your family’s individual needs during the managed return to school.
Sincerely,
Alison Hatton and Lisa McSweeney