Newsletter

Principal Report

From the Principal

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

Well, we are certainly living in a time of constant change and uncertainty. Something that most of us have never experienced in our lifetime.

Given the current COVID 19 situation the health and safety of our children here at Christ Our Holy Redeemer continues to be one of our highest priorities.

 

You may have heard from our Prime Minister yesterday that, at this point in time, schools will not be closing. We have however implemented a number of actions based on recommendations from the Health and Education Departments. There are as follows;

  • We will continue to promote good health and hygiene practices at school, asking children to wash their hands several times through the day but particularly after going to the toilet and before eating food.
  • All excursions will cease until further notice. This will include camps and our visits to the local kinders and Early Learning Centres.
  • The Sacrament of Reconciliation has been postponed next Wednesday evening.

We continue to respect a parent's decision to keep their child/children at home. As you will understand, our staff are busy teaching on a full time basis. Therefore, it is quite difficult to plan and distribute extra learning materials for students who are not attending school at this stage. If you choose to keep your child at home they may complete the following learning tasks:

Weekly homework requirements

Reading every day

Keeping a diary/journal

Creating a book or film review

Learning multiplication tables

Learning sight words or spelling words

Completing free online resources or games that promote learning in literacy or numeracy

School Education Board

Last Wednesday 11th March the School Education Board held its first meeting and AGM for the year. The following parents have been appointed to the board;

Chairperson: Peter Birmingham

Deputy Chair: Tamsyn D’Souza- Le

Secretary: Carolyn Grenfell

Parent’s Assoc Rep: Anna Belmuda

Staff: Jo Cowan and Brendan Welsford

General Members: Joel Ramalinga, David Florio,  Natalie Moran, Irna Kostic, Ollie Kelly and Mel Nigro

At our first meeting the following items were discussed;

  • Building Update
  • Governance in Catholic Schools
  • Coronavirus
  • School Promotions

Sacramental Program

Communication from the Archdiocese of Melbourne states the following:

  • 'Immediate suspension of public liturgies, celebrations of the Mass , until further notice.
  • All other gatherings are suspended. For clarification of any concerns please contact your local diocesan authority.'

This means that no masses will be celebrated at our churches. Please be aware that this decision will also impact the Sacramental Program at our school.

At this stage we are unaware of when the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation will take place. Please be mindful that these Sacraments may not take place this year.

School Banking

Notice from CommBank School Banking

The health, safety and wellbeing of our communities and our people is our first priority. Due to the rapidly developing situation with coronavirus, School Banking has been temporarily paused from 20 March 2020 until the start of Term 2. Please don’t bring your deposit book with your weekly banking into school and we will notify you when banking will recommence.

Cross Country Training

There will be Cross Country Training tomorrow (Friday) at 8.00am

End of Term 1

A reminder that Term 1 concludes next Friday 27th March at 2.30pm