Message from the Principal
St Anthony’s Parish and St Anthony’s School hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as central and fundamental responsibilities of the Church. St Anthony’s is fully compliant with all policies in relation to Child Safety. These documents ensure compliance with the Victorian Government Child Safety Standards which took effect on 1 January 2017 and reflect our Parishes’ ongoing commitment to ensuring that all children are safe, happy and empowered.
Business and usual at St Anthony's
“And the people stayed home and read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.
And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.
And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed."
~Kitty O'Meara'~
Dear parents,
What uncertain times we find ourselves in at present. Along with my leadership team and staff team I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation for all your efforts over the past few weeks as concerns have grown over the COVID-19 pandemic. As you would know, the situation with COVID-19 is evolving quickly.
As I have regularly reassured you all along the way, until further advice is provided, all primary schools have been advised to remain open by Catholic Education, the Victorian Chief Health Officer and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). We are carefully following CEM and DHHS advice and are ensuring that you are kept up to date as soon as any new advice is received.
It is during these uncertain times that the advice is constantly evolving. We would like to assure you that, In the event that our school should close before the holidays, we have spent considerable time this week working on an online learning platform and daily timetable for learning and living for our families to support the education of your children at home. Please be reassured that this is ready to go and all teaching staff will be available via email and dojo through the school days to advise you with learning tasks and answer your questions. Please ensure you have notifications enabled on your device for all important updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please also remember that our wellbeing team are always available to support you during this time. Our community hub team are here to offer support and guidance and I always offer you my full support as valued members of our St Anthony's community.
We celebrate the wonderful success of our school captain, Sanjay Karthesan this week on his appointment as Junior Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong. We are so proud and we look forward to this close relationship with council in 2020 as they seek to hear student voice as we journey towards the future.
I would like to wish all of you a settled, calm and relaxed holiday as much as you can possibly manage in this uncertain climate, a peaceful Easter and a reminder of the Hope that the Easter season brings to us. Stay hopeful, be well and be kind to all you encounter.
Thank you for your understanding and support over that past weeks. Have a wonderful weekend. As always go gently and if you have any feedback or ideas we always want to hear them.
God Bless,
Patrika Rowley
PRINCIPAL