4 June 2020

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parents,

This issue of our school newsletter comes to you following National Reconciliation Week 2020. National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

As communicated previously, the dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey: the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

“Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples”.

Somewhat prophetically, the theme for this year’s event was In This Together. Of course, under COVID-19, this theme is now resonating in ways we could not have foreseen when it was announced last year. And, although the pandemic has put something of a dampening effect on NRW, we were able to mark the week with events and experiences, championed by our recently appointed Aboriginal Support workers, Brydie and Josh.

Sadly, on the back of National Reconciliation Week in Australia, comes the deeply disturbing scenes from America, illuminating the pain, injustice and despair of racism. This prayer for tolerance and peace is appropriate now and always.

God of Love, God of Peace,
This fractured word
Cries out in pain,
Burns deep into my soul,
And challenges me,
To make a difference.

God of Love, God of Peace,
God of this world,
Scarred by grief and tears,
Ignorance and fear,
Soften hearts of stone,
And begin with mine.

God of Love, God of Peace,
Create within me
A heart for people,
A desire for change,
For new beginnings
To start this day.
John Birch

Sincerely,
Jacqui Wilkinson
Principal

IMPORTANT MESSAGES FOR PARENTS

YEAR 5 EXCURSION- CANCELLED

Consideration has been given to the issues impacting the Great Aussie Bush Camp, planned and booked for early Term 3 for Year 5. Regrettably, it has been decided to cancel our booking as a result of the ongoing protocols and restrictions. We have also taken into account the cost to parents at this time and the likelihood that parents would have reservations about their child attending and bunking in close quarters. The increased health risks cannot be ignored.

The Year 5 teachers hope to schedule a day trip in Term 4, linked to educational outcomes.

RETURN TO FACE TO FACE LEARNING

As recently announced, all students K-6 are expected back at school this week. Our aim is to make this transition back to school as smooth as possible, particularly with the implementation of specific protocols. We will continue to place priority on the health and wellbeing of our community and for this reason we will continue to observe the necessary changes to routines and procedures at school.

What will school look like for the remainder of this term?

Most normal school routines will be back in place. This includes allocated sport days and Library Lessons and Library borrowing for each class. Your child will still wear their sport uniform on their appropriate day/s.

This does not include:

• Assemblies or whole school gatherings, such as Liturgies and Masses
• Large scale sporting events or competitions
• Fundraisers (i.e. Disco) or social gatherings

Excursions are cancelled for Term 2 with no immediate advice when these will resume. COMPASS remains the key form of communication for parents regarding changes to upcoming events.

Does my child have to return to school?

All children are expected to return in Week 6 (beginning June 1). Attendance codes will return to normal. Specific information regarding attendance follows;

1. The expectation is that students are either:

• at school;
• at home because they are currently unwell (S Code);
• at home because they have a medical certificate, which states they have a condition, which means it is not safe for them to return to school, for example they have a suppressed immune system or they are undergoing treatment like chemotherapy. (F Code); and
• at home as they are residing with a family member in one of the categories identified as being at increased risk and are directed by a medical practitioner to remain at home. The parent or carer should provide written confirmation from the treating health professional that the student is unable to attend school and complete Form B1. Students should engage in remote learning in consultation and collaboration with the child’s class teacher. (F Code).

2. If parents/carers are making the determination to keep students at home and none of the above applies, they must provide a reason and indicate the duration of the absence. (L Code). As with normal practice, the reason will be either accepted or denied by the principal. There is no need to complete the Leave Form, unless it is for travel, but an explanation as with normal practice is required.

3. If a student is absent for more than three days without a medical certificate, this will be recorded as an unauthorised absence and followed up by the school in line with normal practice. Schools should provide targeted assistance to families to re-engage students.

Will learning from home options still operate?

No. Our remote learning model via OneNote, Seesaw and Zoom will no longer be available for class groups.

What will hygiene practices involve?

• All children will be expected to wash their hands as they enter learning spaces and be encouraged to wash their hands throughout the day. Liquid soap and hand sanitiser is provided in the learning spaces and soap monitored and filled in the toilets as required. Students may bring their own personal hand sanitiser if preferred.
• Students must wash their hands before and after play, as this is reported to be the single most important way to prevent the spread of infection.
• Ventilation in classrooms is increased by keeping windows open and limiting the use of air-conditioning (heating) during the day.
• Staff have access to hand sanitizer at entry points to the staffroom spaces.
• A deep clean of all learning spaces is conducted every day. Cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces such as benchtops, desks, doorknobs, taps, and handrails with a detergent solution or detergent/ disinfectant wipes takes place throughout the day.
• Communal bubblers remain inaccessible. All students require a drink bottle.

What will social distancing look like?

Adults will continue to adhere to physical distancing protocols. An overflow staffroom has been created to allow additional distancing for staff. We encourage our parents to do the same when accessing the administration area and at drop off and pick up.

Where will my child play?

We are fortunate to have vast playground spaces. According to Health Restrictions communicated by the Catholic Schools Office, contact and semi contact sports are not permitted including soccer, basketball and netball.

The children will have access to play equipment and limited use of sport equipment. They are able to use the following equipment:

• hockey sticks and balls
• cricket equipment
• basketballs when playing ‘drill’ or ‘shooting’ games
• soccer balls to play drill games

The Sport Leaders will be providing this equipment during the breaks.

All children who intend on playing these games MUST wash their hands prior to accessing the equipment and after their use.

Can adults come onto school grounds?

We ask that for the coming weeks, children continue to be delivered to the hall gate or front gate as parents are not permitted to come on site. You can be reassured that the children are doing a great job of making their way sensibly and confidently to their classroom, unpacking their belongings, and washing their hands. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

If you need to speak with your child’s class teacher, please email the school to arrange a phone appointment.

Kindergarten Enrolment Interviews for 2021 and Personalised Planning Meetings are being scheduled, with specifics restrictions to ensure the safety of all involved.

How will I collect my child each afternoon?

Our regular pick up points are still operational. Parents accessing cemetery gate are asked to practice physical distancing with other adults in this area. If accessing the hall gate, you are asked to wait in your vehicle until the commencement of the dismissal process to minimise contact with others in a more confined space.

I thank you for your efforts to reduce the potential for contamination and avoid the impacts to our school which would result from a positive test.

REMINDER

Students should not be delivered to school by parents before 8.30am.

The school gates will be locked at 8.50am. Any student arriving after this time will need to be signed in at the school office to ensure accurate recording of attendance.

WINTER UNIFORM

All students should now be in FULL WINTER UNIFORM. Sports uniform will only be worn on allocated sport days for each grade/class.

CANTEEN RE-OPENING- AMENDED MENU

Canteen is open Tuesday and Friday only for the remainder of the term, with an amended menu. Please note that changes have been made to QKR to reflect the reduced menu.

Unfortunately we are unable to welcome volunteers at this time.

CANTEEN CLOSED WEDNESDAY. NO CASH PURCHASES.

KINDER ENROLMENTS 2021

Kindergarten enrolment interviews previously scheduled for early Term 2 have now been rescheduled. Letters have been sent to all current and new families detailing the necessary arrangements to proceed with interviews whilst ensuring these interviews are held in the safest possible manner for the safety and wellbeing of all concerned.

The enrolment period will close soon. If you have a child due to commence Kindergarten next year, please complete an enrolment form available from the school office. When returning the enrolment form, please ensure there is a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate, baptismal certificate & immunisation records. It is essential that we have our current families accounted for so that we know the number of places available for new families. All enquiries should be directed to the school office on 49307270 or admin@lochinvarsp.catholic.edu.au

RE NEWS

Pentecost was observed last Sunday, May 31st.

Originally, Pentecost was a Jewish holiday held 50 days after Passover. One of three major feasts during the Jewish year, it celebrated Thanksgiving for harvested crops. However, Pentecost for Christians means something far different. Before Jesus was crucified, he told his disciples that the Holy Spirit would come after him: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:16–18 And 40 days after Jesus was resurrected (10 days after he ascended into heaven), that promise was fulfilled when Peter and the early Church were in Jerusalem for Pentecost: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1

CURRICULUM NEWS

SEMESTER 1 REPORTING TO PARENTS – IMPORTANT INFORMATION

LIBRARY

ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER (ATSI) NEWS

RECONCILIATION WEEK

The Reconciliation Week theme In This Together has been in evidence throughout St Patrick’s for the last week, as the children learned about the importance of fully knowing our history and celebrating the culture and achievements of indigenous Australians.

Every class was visited by our Aboriginal Education Support Assistants Brydie Forbes and Joshua Wright, who began their roles this term. Brydie is in her final year of her teaching degree. When she graduates as a teacher she is passionate about continuing to share her knowledge of her Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture with students. Joshua is in his first year of tertiary education at the University of Newcastle, and has moved to the area from Birpai Country (Port Macquarie). He is studying his Bachelor of Social Science.

Brydie and Josh shared their knowledge and understanding with the children across a range of activities. The children listened to songs and stories, made art works, wrote poetry and asked questions. It was a wonderful reminder of the diversity and beauty of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and the way this continues into the present. As teachers work to embed and extend ATSI perspectives in all subjects, knowledge will continue to grow and deepen for all members of our community.

This is a picture of Josh and Brydie with Year 4, where the children listened to the book Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy & Lisa Kennedy. Brydie spoke about her visit to the Baiame Cave and other local sacred sites and the children created ‘reconciliation hands’ which will be used to make a 3D sculpture of a wedge-tailed eagle.

Here Brydie and Josh share the story of Tiddalick with Kindergarten and shared the local link to Tiddalik Rock at Wollombi.

Brydie recorded a piece for all grades to use on Seesaw. In case you missed this, here is a copy. In this she discusses her role at the school, shares a story and her knowledge of culture, and links these to the significance of Reconciliation Week.

Year 1 recorded a piece to represent St Patrick’s on the Catholic Schools Office Reconciliation Week video

We are seen as part of a collage of schools in the final shot from the CSO Reconciliation Week piece