From the Principal

Dear Families,

As announced yesterday, remote learning will continue for another seven days.  This is not what we had hoped for but we will continue to act on the advice of the Chief Health Officer and do all we can to minimise the impact of this highly contagious variant of the virus.

Children of authorised workers and vulnerable children will continue to be supervised at school, with limited staffing in place.  These are guidelines we MUST follow and is the case in all schools in Melbourne.  As directed, if you are at home (even if you are working at home) your children are required to be at home with you working remotely.  Parents whose children are being supervised at school are required to provide documentation from their employers.  Please make sure we have your documentation by tomorrow.  We are very happy for you to scan and email it to us if that is more convenient.  Thank you for your understanding with this as we continue to follow government guidelines and minimise the risk in our community and to each other.  

Remote Learning has been going well with nearly all of our children engaging every day which has been fantastic to see.   Thank you all so much!  I hope it has been as stress free as possible for you and your family.  I will again reiterate, please do what is best for your family during this time and contact your child's teacher to let them know if things are not progressing as you had hoped.  Teachers are contactable by email each day during the week on the days that they work.

I hope you will agree that our teachers and students have displayed terrific resilience and adapted to the online platform this week with relative ease.  This transition is a result of many hours of behind the scenes work by our staff in preparation for the unexpected timing of an online platform. Thank you teachers!  

Thank you also to our wonderful families that support students working remotely.

Today marks the end of Reconciliation Week for 2021.  There were a number of things planned for the children both at school and in the local community this week, but due to circumstances these have been cancelled or postponed. Reconciliation Week is the opportunity to recognise the traditional owners of the land, and the unique place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in Australia, it also encourages  discussion and activities around reconciliation.  There has been much in the media around the Uluru Statement of the Heart in the last week.  Voice, Makarrata (a Yolngu word for 'Treaty') and Truth are the three key elements of the aspirations and reforms set out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017 and the movement to establish  a 'First Nations Voice' in the Australian constitution.  Here is a link to read more about the Uluru Statement and its importance.  https://ulurustatement.org/the-statement 

Part of my routine each day is to go for an early morning walk, this has changed over the last week as I have arrived home earlier than usual each day.  It has been so lovely to see so many people out walking and talking in the parks that I pass, filled with people playing, riding bikes, running and generally enjoying the sunny afternoons together.  Even when it seems impossible at times it is lovely to find joy in such simple things.  

May the next week pass quickly.  Look after yourselves and your families and do what you feel is best for your family over this time.

Therese

HELP PLEASE The year 1 & 2 students will be re-using plastic milk or juice bottles this term to create plant pots and plant seeds. Can you please send bottles to school.  

Thank you. Amanda Kenny, Linda Lawrence, Katrina Smith.

BOOK CLUB

Just a reminder that orders for issue four will close 5pm Friday June 4. If anyone would like to collect their order from the office, please speak to Liz.

There’re back  (POSTPONED FOR THIS WEEK)

Locally grown from Apted Orchard, Arthurs Creek and Kinglake, 

Pink Lady Apples (2kg), Granny Smith Apples (2kg), Packham Pears (2kg)

$8.00 per bag.

Please email school@olhceltham.catholic.edu.au with your orders.

Links