Principal's Page

School Handbook

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope all of our St Joseph's families are well. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

I have no doubt that most of you will have been as pleased as the teachers and I to hear that students will be returning for full-time face to face learning from Monday 25 May. This phase of the return to face to face learning is very welcome news but is not a full return to the 'normal'.  Measures around hygiene will be in place to ensure our school continues to be 'COVID-19 Safe.' School plans are underway to transition students back into learning at school, support their well being and social needs, and to adjust class programs to ensure maximum learning for the remainder of the term. 

I am particularly grateful that parents and carers of St Joseph's have taken the time to read all school communication over recent months. This has been beneficial in reassuring the children that they are cared for, safe and that the adults in their lives are there to support them with the many changes that have occurred.

For all things at St Joseph’s and at home, give thanks!

Jen Charadia

Principal

Is my child safe at school?

Yes, hygiene measures and additional cleaning of high touch surfaces remain in place.  A cleaner will be onsite for additional cleaning during the day.

Students will wash their hands before eating their crunch and sip, recess and lunch. Every time students enter the school and a classroom they must use the hand sanitiser and as directed by their teacher. Hand sanitiser will be used before and after students are sharing classroom equipment.

Playground equipment will be cleaned after use. The climbing equipment will be closed. The sandpits will be open and the sandpit toys cleaned after each break in Week 6.

Students will again use the park for play in Week 6 once we have updated our risk assessment.

The bubblers will remain closed so each child needs to bring a drink bottle to school each day.

Teachers will remind students that if they are sick or don't feel well they should tell the teacher or a staff member. And remember to:

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your arm or a tissue (not your hands).
• Put your used tissues in a bin straight away and then wash your hands.
• Try not to touch your mouth or face.
• Don’t hold hands with other students or staff.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, including before eating and after going to the toilet.

What about Social Distancing?

The 1.5m social distancing requirement no longer applies to students at school (subject to AHPPC and NSW Health directives). We will no longer provide increased physical space between students in classrooms. Students will sit at their usual desks and line up as usual. However, school assemblies and church gatherings will not be held. 

All adults, (including teachers, other school staff, and parents) at school should continue to maintain 1.5m physical distance from other adults and students. Parents will generally not be allowed onto school grounds but should adhere to physical distancing at pick-up and drop off times.

No non-essential visitors will attend the school

• Examples of essential visitors include the parish priest, CEDoW staff, CatholicCare counsellors, contractors, cleaning staff and delivery people
• Examples of non-essential visitors include—but is not limited to—volunteer readers, community groups (such as dance and theatre groups) and local sport clubs

What if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 at St Joseph's.

The School Incident Response Plan will be enacted should a confirmed case of COVID-19 be reported by a student or staff member. While every reasonable step has been taken to ensure our school is safe, we are prepared for the possibility that our school may need to close temporarily. You will receive timely updates if this occurs. If we are required to close during school hours, supervision will be available for students unable to return home, with reduced interaction between students.

I am concerned about my child being at school, must they come to school?

Up until now, this has been an option for parents but from Monday 25 May, all students are expected to attend school. However, some students have a health condition that would put them at risk. 

From Monday, remote learning will no longer be provided. If your child needs to remain at home for medical reasons, please complete 

this form so that we can discuss with you options to support your child’s wellbeing and continued growth in faith and learning during this time. 

What if my child is unwell at school?

Given the presence of COVID-19 coupled with the commencement of the influenza (flu) season, I wanted to brief you on what to expect if your child presents unwell at school. The first symptoms of COVID-19 and flu are similar, in that they both can cause fever, cough, sore/scratchy throat and shortness of breath.

Throughout this period, I ask that you keep your child at home if they are unwell. In the event your child is unwell at school the normal processes apply: Your child will be cared for at school in the sick bay by school office staff who are qualified first aid officers, while they await collection from an appropriate parent/carer.  

The school has Personal Protective Equipment in order to support students and staff. Students who present to the sick bay will be provided with a medical mask to reduce the risk of transmitting droplets or respiratory fluids. The first aid officer who is assisting the student will also be wearing a medical mask and gloves. The student’s temperature will be taken using a non-contact thermometer to assess severity of presenting symptoms (note that regardless of the child’s temperature, all students who present unwell will be sent home). 

When the parent/carer of the student collects their child from school, a letter will be provided to them, which outlines the steps required for the student to be able to return to school. These steps include gaining a medical clearance certificate (where possible) and only returning to school once the student has fully recovered.  

What do I need to do if my child is sick?

If a student is sick they should stay home and get tested. While this may be inconvenient, it will be incredibly inconvenient for many other parents if their children become sick or if the school is required to close.

Students who present unwell at school will be sent home and must have medical certification and be fully recovered before returning to school.

If your child has been tested for COVID-19 please notify the school immediately. The child should remain at home while awaiting the test results. The school MUST be notified of a positive test result. 

How do I notify the school if my child is sick?

From Monday we will resume the usual student absence procedures via Compass. Parents will again enter the absence and reason on Compass. Students will no longer be required to register their remote learning attendance via the Google doc.

Please note that any unexplained absences will be followed up as per standard procedures.

Will my child still use a Weekly Learning Schedule?

No, students will return to 5 days of face to face learning with their class teacher. 

What do I do with my child's home learning pack.

Certain items from the Home Learning Packs need to be returned to school.

Your child's Home Learning Book must be returned to school on Monday. These will be used to share learning and teachers will look through them. Please note that they will not be marked. I would prefer teachers spend the many, many hours that this would take on planning for learning for the remainder of the term and focused on student learning next week.

See the School News section of the newsletter for a checklist of items to be returned for each grade.

When will my child receive their Term 2 Home Reading Log?

Home reading will recommence in Week 6. This includes the recording in Home Reading Logs.

My child attends MiniLit or MacqLit lessons, when will these start again?

Week 7.

What uniform should my child wear to school?

Students should wear their full winter uniform. See below for your child's sports days.

KJ & KM - Wednesday and Friday

1J & 1M - Wednesday and Friday

2J & 2M - Tuesday and Friday

3J & 3M - Tuesday and Friday

4J - Wednesday and Friday

4M - Monday and Wednesday

5J & 5M - Wednesday and Friday

6J & 6M - Tuesday and Thursday

Can my child bring their own play equipment or toys to school? 

No. All playground equipment (including handballs, Rubics Cubes and skipping ropes) will be provided by the school and washed at the end of each use. 

How should my child arrive at school next week?

Your child should enter the school from the Park Road gate, the Rowan Street gate or the Hutton Ave gate. Next week, staff will be at the gates to greet students and to provide hand sanitiser. 

Can adults bringing children to school come into the school?

No. We would like to keep the school as safe as possible and we ask that all adults not come into the school gates.

What if my child is anxious about coming to school?

Some children may be a little anxious about returning to school full-time. For many it will be the same feelings as starting the new school year. Take some time to talk to your child/ren about how they are feeling and acknowledge those feelings. If you are concerned about your child, make sure you contact the class teacher this week.

How will I collect my child at the end of the day?

Children being picked up from school can be collected from the basketball court area. The big gate will be open but please do not park there.

When waiting outside the school gates and when entering the basketball court area be aware of the need for the required 1.5 social distancing with other parents, students and staff. Don't be offended if we have to remind you about this.

Students will come to you on the basketball court area. Please don't gather close to the gates near the playground grass area. Children will need a clear line of sight to the adult collecting them.

Staggered times for Parents Pick-Up

In order to support parents and carers with social distancing requirements the following arrangements will be in place from Monday.

• At 2:40 pm students in Yellow and Green Houses will be dismissed for parent-pick up only.
• At 2:55 pm students in Red and Blue houses will be dismissed for parent pick-up.

I respectfully ask that parents and carers collecting children in Red and Blue houses, at 2:55pm, not arrive prior to 2:50pm. I also ask that you not collect children at the earlier staggered time.

Parents of students in Green and Yellow houses may contact the school if you are unable to collect your child/ren for 2:40 pm time.

These procedures will remain the same in the event of wet weather. Please ensure all students have wet weather protection in their bag.

Walkers, Bicycle Riders and Buses

These students will be dismissed at the usual 2:55 pm. Walkers and bicycle riders will meet on the grass area near the bike racks and be walked out of the school by a staff member. 

Bus lines will remain in the school hall.

When will the School Canteen and Clothing Pool Re-Open?

The canteen and uniform pool will remain closed until further notice.

What about my child's wellbeing while at school?

Teachers will check in with children to make sure they are OK at school. Encourage your child to talk to their teacher if they don't feel right.

Students will continue to participate in wellbeing activities at school over the next few weeks as well.

Our school pastoral support worker, Cecilia Welsh will also be at school each Wednesday and Thursday to support students and their teachers.

Of course, Kerrie our school counsellor will be on-site three Mondays per month. If you feel your child needs to speak with Kerrie, please contact Mrs Charadia.

Check the SJB Home Learning Hub for ideas to support your child.

How Can I Help Stop the Spread?

If your child is sick or doesn't feel well, keep them at home, even if their symptoms seem to be mild. Sending a sick child or a child with symptoms to school will put other students and staff at risk.

I thank you for your support in keeping our school community safe.

Principal Awards and Merit Awards

Principal's Awards will resume in Week 6.

Acknowledgment to Country

St Joseph's Bulli acknowledges and pays respect to the Dharawal people past and present, the traditional custodians of the land on which our school is built.