Dear Parents and Friends,

Today is the last day of Term 1 for our students. This is due to the Victorian Premier's statement yesterday that announced that all Victorian schools will close as of Tuesday 24th March for the term. From Tuesday 24th March until Tuesday 14th April the students will be on a term break. At this stage, the school is expected to reopen on Tuesday 14th April.

Maria Kirkwood issued a statement this afternoon regarding school closures and arrangements that can be made with the school should parents who are essential service workers or for those who consider their children to be at risk or vulnerable to continue sending their children to school until Friday 27 March. If this applies to you, we ask that you let the school know as soon as possible so that we can organise supervision arrangements. Please phone the school on 59967525 or email me at principal@sttcbourne.catholic.edu.au to make this arrangment.

The staff will be working for the remainder of this week to ensure remote learning is available to our students if schools are required to stay closed next term.

Today, the school contacted each family who responded to the Caremonkey survey that they did not have a device or internet connectivity at their homes.

A Remote Learning Package was sent out via Caremonkey to parents with the instructions for remote learning, this includes instructions for parents who require financial assistance to pay their fees as a result of being impacted by the coronavirus, for example, loss of income.

Please ensure that you continue to check your emails over the term break to look for updates from the school.

Last Friday, the school held the annual 'Say No to Bullying and Harmony Day'. While we were unable to go ahead with the African drumming incursion, many of the children came dressed in their national dress or wore the colour orange to mark the occasion. The children participated in classroom-based activities to build their awareness of and to celebrate one another's differences, be they cultural, religious etc. It was also a day to reflect on how we can make strong choices and say NO to bullying!

I hope you stopped to admire the amazing banner that was created by the children of the school with the help of Mrs Perrins! It certainly looked fabulous attached to our front fence.

I think given the pandemic at the moment, it is especially important to be accepting of each other and to be respectful, kind and patient. Panic, anxiety, and uncertainty is all around us. I often wonder how this can be happening in our world now.

While our school remained open today and last week, it was lovely to see the children laughing, learning and playing with one another. I have to thank our students for the way they have adapted to the changes that have been imposed on them in such a short period of time.

I would like to congratulate the staff of St Therese's for the amazing work they are currently doing in this uncertain time. The teachers have not only continued to provide excellent teaching and learning opportunities in their classrooms to the children who were present but they are in the midst of preparing for the possibility of remote learning if the schools should close. This is no easy task! There is much to think about, prepare for and learn. Each and every one of our staff is putting in well over 150% to make sure that the students will continue to have the opportunity to access great learning. Please, when you see your child's teacher next, make sure you say THANK YOU!

Let us #PrayTogether for doctors, hospital staff, and volunteers who are giving their own lives to save others. And for civil leaders, for those who have to make decisions at this time. All these people are the pillars defending us in this crisis.
(Pope Francis Twitter March 21)

I pray that everyone this week and throughout the school holidays stays healthy. Please check in on your neighbours and be mindful of social distancing! All of us need to do our bit to keep our community healthy.

Yours in partnership,

Michelle Bruitzman

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