Week 6 Reflection

Dear Families,

I’d like to congratulate our students for being responsible hat wearers throughout the week and for following our ‘Sunsmart Policy’. The students enjoyed a special treat on Friday as a well done: frozen yoghurt and sugar-free fruit slushies! The excitement was palpable as the machines were delivered during first play and the children thoroughly enjoyed ending the school week this way. Also on the note of Sunsmart, we are more than happy for students to wear sunglasses during Terms 1 and 4, and also to bring in their own sunscreen. We do have our own supply throughout the school, but I know some students prefer using their own. Also note that staff are not meant to apply sunscreen to children, but can assist if they are really struggling.

Prep Orientation: Groups 3 and 4

Yesterday we had the pleasure of welcoming groups 3 and 4 of our new preps for their first onsite orientation. Miss B and Miss M are working beautifully together to support the transition for our new students, and yesterday was another lovely day witnessing the children meeting each other and their teachers for the first time. Our next prep orientation takes place on Thursday 3rd December and we hope to have all children onsite at the same time.

Thank you to the parents for the very positive feedback regarding our transition process, and Isabelle received this lovely email this morning:

Dear Isabelle (and all those involved with the Prep Orientation),

Thanks so much for the amazing program St Joseph’s have been able to run with the incoming Prep students.

The Zoom catch up with the magician and the Bear Hunt video was fantastic and our daughter loved getting to wear her t-shirt again today. The teddy bear was named Joey and is a regular in her bed each night.

Thanks to both Prep teachers for their care this morning. Without me having to say anything, they could see that she was a little nervous and edgy and were very welcoming and did an awesome job of distracting her with dollhouses and craft, so that my husband and I could duck away and allow her to settle in. By contrast, the car ride home was full of excited stories about fruit for morning tea, getting to meet the buddies and doing some drawing.

Thanks so much for making the whole process so easy. You have all done a wonderful job in very trying circumstances this year.

Graduation and Confirmation for Year 6 students

This week we received an updated operational guide from CEM, outlining any changes in the COVID protocols. Unfortunately, although graduations can still go-ahead for students, at this point parents are not allowed. Father Alan finds himself in a similar situation with updated guidelines for Confirmation. We are praying that these restrictions will ease and I will communicate directly with our Year 6 parents next week with information about our plans A through to Z. Thanks for your understanding.

Remembrance Day 2020

Every year at 11am on 11 November—the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month—we pause to remember those men and women who have died or suffered in all wars, conflicts and peace operations.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. As the world welcomed peace, thousands returned home to much fanfare, and their loved ones. Thousands more never made the journey home.

Although we were unable to mark this year’s Remembrance Day by gathering together as a whole school for assembly, each class went online for a commemorative broadcast at 10.45 am, live-streamed on the Shrine of Remembrance’s Youtube channel. Although very different from other years, it was still very special to stop and remember all those who have been affected by wars over the years.

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples., although this year the week was postponed until November.

This year NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities but by Australians from all walks of life.

NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has since become the name of the week itself. Find out more about the origins and history of NAIDOC Week.

Local community celebrations during NAIDOC Week are encouraged and often organised by communities, government agencies, local councils, schools and workplaces.

Stonnington Council is running a series of events to mark NAIDOC week, continuing throughout November:

https://www.stonnington.vic.gov.au/Community/Access-and-inclusion/Indigenous-reconciliation/National-NAIDOC-Week

Wishing you all a restful and relaxing weekend ahead. Enjoy the good weather and stay safe and stay sunsmart!

Michelle

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