From the Principal...
Welcome Back
Welcome back to Term 2!
While we have had an unconventional start to the term, with less than 20% of our students attending school some days and the rest learning remotely, it has been great to see those students and parents I have been able see. Please make sure that you carefully read the Managed Return to School and we look forward to having all the students back at here as soon as possible.
Happy Mothers' Day
Happy Mothers' Day to all our Mums and Grandmothers! I
Managed Return to School
The information in this section was provided Monday in Compass, however some parents do not seem to have received it. If you have any questions please make sure you attend one of our parent Zoom Information Sessions, the details are on Compass.
In Week 1 and 2 of Term 2, schools are officially open to the children of frontline workers only. However, no student will be turned away from any Catholic school in the Diocese of Armidale. From Week three of Term 2, the managed return of students to face-to-face learning will commence.
Therefore from Monday May 11, the following information applies:
Learning Experiences
Students who attend school will undertake 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 one day a week or continue their learning from home. Students are requested to bring their pack of work to school with them when they attend.
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 two 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 wellbeing 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.
The Catholic Schools Office is making every effort to source ongoing supplies of hand sanitiser for use in schools and to enable additional cleaning where possible.
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 sickbay. 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.
Pickup and Drop off Times and Social Distancing for Parents
Drop off time in the mornings is from 8:20 - 8:50am. Parents are asked to not drop off before this time and to use the drop off zone in Rusden Street only. Pickups will be from 3:10pm to 3:30pm and parents are again asked to only use the Rusden Street pick up zone in front of the school and remain in vehicles. Parents are asked to ensure that they follow social distancing requirements and not congregate with others.
Timetabling of Attendance at School
Students will attend one day a week from Monday 11th May in House groups with De La Salle (Blue) attending Mondays, Delaney (Green) on Tuesdays, Merici (Red) on Wednesdays and Ursula (White) on Thursdays. On the day students attend they are able to wear their school sports uniform and House shirt. The children of Essential Workers will continue to attend on the days that they have confirmed with me and are able to wear their tracksuit with a House Shirt or Sports Shirt. It is important that no other children come to school on those days as we have 25% of our school here with House groups and children of our current essential workers pushes that number up to over 35%. If your circumstances change with work it is imperative that you contact the school to let us know not just send your children.
Attendance
If your child continues to learn from home, they will not be marked as absent.
Out of school hours care
OOSHC Services are still considered an essential service by the Federal and State Governments and therefore will remain operational unless we are informed otherwise. Please book your attendance through Esteem Kids.
Term 2 Sport
All Diocesan and Interdiocesan school sport scheduled for Term 2 has been cancelled.
Please be assured that staff at St Mary’s will continue to work together to provide the very best remote learning experiences for our students and to support their pastoral care and wellbeing during this challenging time. Please contact me if you would like to discuss your family’s individual needs during the managed return to school.