From the Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we come to terms with the developments of the past week in the response to the COVID19 pandemic, I am very conscious that our parish and school communities’ resilience and strength are being tested further with Stage 4 Restrictions.  And yet I have a strong sense of our community’s continued support and collective resolve that we are all in this together as we work towards reducing the spread of the virus.  

This week’s Parish Pastoral Council meeting (Tuesday 4th August) had a strong theme of continuing to be hope-filled and led by the Holy Spirit as we continue to look for ways to be a connected and supportive parish to each other and beyond our immediate community.

Last week's live stream school assembly reminded us that despite our physical separation, we are still very much part of a thriving community of learners.  My inbox has been overwhelmed with lots of positive feedback messages from families and staff regarding the assembly.  We are committed to having the assembly in this form on a fortnightly basis this term. I wanted to share with you some of the feedback I received...

• “Thought it was great, and went really well.  My kids enjoyed it too.”
•  “I just wanted to say well done to ... the year 6 leaders and teachers in the assembly. I felt very proud to be a teacher at St Simon's while watching along yesterday. Can’t wait for the next one.”
• “ the assembly was fantastic!!! Everything worked beautifully and was a great way to feel connected. Absolutely loved it.”
• “Thank you for a wonderful School Assembly!”
• “Just wanted to say "well done on the live stream!" Went so smoothly and was great to hear and see the students as well.”
• “Wow! Congratulations to you, what an amazing effort to put up a live Stream and it all worked brilliantly. I was so impressed with the students too and will pass on my congratulations to them.”
• “I just wanted to say well done on the live stream school assembly.
• It was lovely to see familiar faces and to show the kids that school is still operating.”

Stage 4 Restrictions Onsite Supervision

Communication regarding the current arrangements will continue to come from the school. Please refer to these messages for the latest information regarding how Stage 4 restrictions affect your family’s engagement with the school for onsite supervision.  Every day there is further details and clarification issued by the Government and Education system authorities.

100 days of Prep!

This Friday 7th August our school community celebrates one of the highlights of the school calendar: 100th day of PREP!  The first year of school is always a very special and memorable experience for many families, however this year, the significance has taken on a different meaning with our prep students (and their families) enduring and embracing all of the challenges and opportunities of remote learning.  This Friday the prep students and their wonderful teachers will be coming together to celebrate virtually this very exciting day for youngest groups of learners at St Simon’s School.

Semester 1 School Reports

This week your child’s Semester One report will be available on Friday 7th August via a web-based Parent Portal.  On Friday morning (all being well) you will receive an email with step by step instructions on how to access your child\ren’s report.  

This method of distribution is a first for St Simon’s so we appreciate your patience and understanding as we do our best to get the technology right.  Thank you to Maree Fatouros for pulling this together for our school community.

Parent-Teacher Chats

By now families should have received an email via Caremonkey with information for making an appointment for Parent Chats scheduled for Tuesday 11th and Thursday 13th August.

Parent-Teacher Chats will be conducted via Google Meet with the additional information regarding the details of how this will work, to be shared with families on Monday 10th August.  If you have not received an email to make this appointment please contact office@ssrowville.catholic.edu.au for assistance.

Wellbeing Wednesdays - Remote Learning Term 3

Next Wednesday 12th August is a scheduled “Wellbeing Wednesdays” for our school community.  On this day there will be a shift away from the school-based routines of remote learning instead, students and their families are encouraged to have a break from the screen time and engage in activities or experiences that focus a sense of wellbeing. There will be no scheduled Google Meets on Wellbeing Wednesdays. Year level teachers will give some examples of activities that students can consider participating in on these days.

If your child comes to school for onsite supervision on a Wednesday, we invite you to consider how you could engage with Wellbeing Wednesday within your household.

If you need to send your child to school for onsite supervisions Wednesday 12th August a supervision program will be provided by Beyond Edu Care.  There will be no out of pocket costs to parents if your child attends. If you intend to use this service please book directly with Shayan and the Beyond Edu Care Team. Phone: 0426 998 325  

Email: admin@beyondeducare.com.au STAGE  4 RESTRICTIONS CRITERIA APPLY

God bless

Tom Wursthorn

Principal