28 October 2021

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parents, caregivers and friends,

St Patrick’s is abuzz with excited chatter and a renewed focus on learning, and there is a fabulous feeling in the air as students reconnect with their peers and their teachers. It has been such a pleasure to be able to see the growth that students have made in all areas (Including height and a few missing teeth!) and to share their experiences at home during the lockdown period and stories of life and family.

Although we were able to spend time with some of the students who attended school during the period of lockdown, they and the staff have very much missed the whole grade being together at school. In fact, it has been such a long time since school communities have been able to gather together at all.

It is important to recognise and celebrate the power and sacredness of connection, which has been significantly impacted during the pandemic and may be the one element that we have missed the most during the restrictions. Although we cannot connect in the most optimum ways yet (and are still adhering to mask wearing protocols, restrictions on visitors and physical distancing in general) the children and staff can at least be in the same space together and we can see you at a distance.

In an article written by Susanne North, we are reminded that humans are hardwired for connection. The two most powerful forms of connection are unconditional love and a sense of belonging. They are essential to the human experience. It is what makes us tick. She quotes author Brené Brown who In her bestselling book Daring Greatly, defines connection between people as “when they feel seen, heard and valued; when they can give and receive without judgement.” The sadness of this pandemic is not only on the hardship caused by the health fears and deaths that have occurred but also the disconnect that people are feeling and the resulting divide. I am sure everyone has experienced elements of this divide which have caused frustration and immense sadness, notably state vs state, border vs border, city vs country areas, vaccinated vs unvaccinated people, competing viewpoints, employment status, even remote learning vs children attending school has caused families and staff concern. Despite heightened emotion, it is vital that we find ways to live with our convictions but also respect that of others.

Let us pray together for the health and wellbeing of our school community and the sacredness of our connection in whatever way we can.

CALENDAR EVENTS

All events for Term 4 are on hold. Please await further communication regarding the status of scheduled events.

ENROLMENTS 2022

If you know that your child will not be returning to St Patrick’s in 2022, would you please notify the school, in writing, as we require this information to assist with our planning for the new school year.

END OF TERM DATES

Please note that classes conclude for all students on Wednesday 15th December, at the normal time of 2.50pm.

TERM 1 2022 DATES

CURRICULUM NEWS

EXTERNAL REVIEW

Our school is nearing completion of the External Review process (the end of a 6-year improvement cycle). The validation team from the Catholic Schools Office will substantiate what the school determines are areas of strength and areas for development. A summary of achievements and goals will be provided in the next newsletter.

TELL THEM FROM ME SURVEY

Survey now extended! Closing: 12th November

Parents are invited to participate in our community consultation survey. This is an initiative of the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle and is being enacted by all of our catholic schools, despite the current situation.

It is recognised that our school year has been significantly impacted by change and the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown. It is also understood that your ability to answer the questions will be clouded by your experiences during the period of remote learning. If you choose to take part, I urge you to take the time to reflect on the first semester of 2021, when things were a little more ‘normal’.

How to access the survey

Parents/carers can access the survey by clicking this link:

If you have any problems or queries about the survey, please contact Mr Nolan.

SEMESTER 2 MODIFIED REPORTS

With the extraordinary events of the semester, student reports will be modified. Reports will provide a simple summary and be published in Week 9 of this term with access for parents via the Compass app.

PARENT TEACHER CONVERSATIONS

We know the importance of strong connections and partnerships between school and home and the positive impact that these relationships have on student learning. Planned meetings provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to engage in conversations about student learning and wellbeing. It is recognised that for many, regular conversations were undertaken during the period of home learning and another scheduled conversation may not be required.

This term the following protocols will apply:

• Parent/teacher conversations will take place either over the phone or via Zoom
• Conversation will be 10 minutes in length
• Conferences are not compulsory and will only take place if a parent or teacher requests a meeting
• The nature of these conversations will be very general due to the period of remote learning
• Teachers will not have current formal data to discuss with you
• Personalised Planning meeting for students with additional needs, organised with the teacher and Learning Support Team will replace this opportunity

If you wish to schedule a meeting, please liaise with your child’s teacher to arrange a mutually convenient time. Individual teachers will communicate their preferred method for arranging dates and times.

END OF YEAR AWARDS- 2021

In response to the reduced provision for face to face learning this year, modifications have been made to the End of Year Award process for 2021, which will be live-streamed for parents as part of the Liturgy on Thursday 9th December.

Instead of 5 awards per class, 3 awards will be given as follows.

• MJR Award for Citizenship

This student is recognised for their social awareness and for the care and compassion that they show to others.

• Consistent effort across the curriculum

This student is recognised for their commitment to learning across all areas of the curriculum. This student shows consistent effort in all subjects.

• Consistent achievement across the curriculum

This student is recognised for their academic achievement across all areas of the curriculum. This student achieves high results in all subjects.

Special category - Mary MacKillop Award for Excellence. Only 1 will be awarded across the school, for a child who has demonstrated commendable qualities of faith, respect, compassion, leadership etc. This is not restricted to Year 6.

ORGANISATION & MANAGEMENT

SPORT DAYS K-6

Kinder – Friday
Yr 1 - Tuesday & Friday
Yr 2 - Wednesday & Friday
Yr 3 – Friday
Yr 4 - Thursday & Friday
Yr 5 - Monday & Friday
Yr 6 - Wednesday & Friday

CANTEEN

The canteen is closed until further notice.

UNIFORM

Thank you to the students and their families who consistently support our uniform standards. A few students may need reminders in the morning as they get ready for school regarding correct uniform items. Please support your young people to make great decisions. A reminder that school hats must be worn at both play breaks.

MANAGING A CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID AT SCHOOL- ADVICE FOR PARENTS

With the return to school for students K-6, a significant reduction in restrictions, the re-opening of businesses, return to offices and workplaces, and the long-awaited re-introduction of community events and social freedoms, it is not unreasonable to expect that we are likely to encounter positive cases of infection over the next 7 weeks of school. The good news is that vaccination rates are increasing exponentially, including for 12-17 year old’s, children are less likely to become seriously ill, and we have good protocols in place for management and tracing of such instances.

Earlier this year, you provided information to our school administration team, detailing collection arrangements if our school was required to close. The following information provides a little more clarity about our management processes.

It needs to be understood that under new legislation and Health Orders, management would be overseen by the Diocesan Safety and Wellness Team with significant input from CSNSW.

1. Response to a positive notification- It is the responsibility of an individual who receives a confirmed positive COVID case to report this to the school. That means if a staff member, student or anyone who has been on the school grounds (including external pick-up points) is notified they have tested positive, the onus is on the individual to report to the school. Parents are advised that they should call the administration number of 49307270 (during school hours) or 0409658383 (after hours) and report directly to Mrs Wilkinson.

2. Initial communication with parents - In the first instance parents would be notified via the Compass system that a confirmed case requires investigation and contract tracing.

3. Student Collection- Parents would be advised that processes are being enacted for the orderly collection of students according to our staged plan.

4. Contract tracing begins - This process is no longer managed by a central team from NSW Health and the school team is responsible for undertaking this extensive task. In practice this means we begin tracking “a day in the life of…” to determine the BREADTH OF INTERACTIONS across our setting. We will employ a Risk Assessment Model using a spreadsheet and very specific criteria, to determine the LEVEL and DEGREE OF CONTACT (e.g. attendance data, travel arrangements, and interactions for how long, and in what settings).

It is important to note that this process is extensive, thoroughly undertaken and time consuming and no short-cuts can be undertaken. Due to the size of our school population this process is likely to take many hours. It is best practice for parents to assume that exposure has occurred and facilitate sensible isolation protocols, until they receive formal communication from the school regarding the specific contact status of their child/ren and requirements.

Parents are asked to adhere to all formal directives from the school only, and not engage with or rely on social media or news outlets as sources of information.

5. Assessment- Information collated by our staff team, using the Risk Assessment Model is then reviewed by Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) and the Ministry of Health, and a determination is made regarding all staff and student interactions, the nature of contacts, and isolation periods for close and casual contacts.

It is important to note that all school-related cases are assessed individually by the Ministry of Health and response times and directives for management may vary.

6. Action required- CSNSW will validate test results with NSW Health and determine what additional action may need to be taken by the school. The school will only be required to take action if the person was deemed to be infectious at a time when they had been at the school. All other matters are a private health matter, and the person will be supported by NSW Health.

In some instances, this may require ceasing the operations of the school while the contact tracing process is completed

7. Communication- The Compass communication system will be used to provide updates and alerts for parents (push notification, text and email). Please ensure your Compass app is fully operational and you have up to date log-ins and passwords, and notifications are turned ON. Once a determination is made regarding contacts, emails will be sent to parents, providing specific instructions, requirements and protocols regarding isolation periods and site closures.

8. Thorough cleaning of the school site may be required to ensure the environment is clean and safe prior to the school resuming onsite learning.

At all stages of management, the school will endeavor to provided regular updates. Parents are asked to be patient and wait for communication from the specified reliable source.

UPDATE- MASKS AND FACE COVERINGS (STAFF)

• Under Level 3, Level 3 plus and Level 4 settings masks are required indoors for all staff.
• The updated advice reflects the changes to mask wearing protocols for staff in outdoor settings- which are no longer mandatory. It is mandatory for all staff and students in Year 7 and above to have a mask with them, at all times. Staff and students may choose to wear a mask or face covering while outdoors even though it is not a requirement. Some students in Year 6 and below may choose to wear a mask or face covering while outdoors even though it is not a requirement.
• Parents should remain outside of school grounds and adhere to mask-wearing requirements.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

If parents or carers believe that their child (or family member) has a condition that means it is not safe for them to return to school, they will need to provide a medical certificate. In this instance, families are encouraged to speak with their doctor or health care provider to support decision-making about their interactions with others, and involvement in activities, including attendance at school. A COVID-19 Action Plan may be required to support the child’s return to school.

Parents are required to make contact with the school to explain any period of absence, including their temporary non-return to school for a set period. In the event that parents have concerns, they are asked to discuss their particular situation with the principal and/or class teacher to ensure that students are adequately catered for. In some instances, it is recognised that decisions may be made which reflect health needs and the safety of children or family members.

Roll marking advice

A- The student’s absence is unexplained or unjustified. Relates to instances in which students are neither sick nor displaying any symptoms of illness. This code relates to situations in which parents have exercised choice, but reasons are not clear or justified.

L- An explanation of the absence is provided which has been accepted/approved by the principal. This may be due to: • misadventure or unforeseen event • participation in special events not related to the school • domestic necessity (such as serious illness/health needs of an immediate family member in which the parents have made an informed choice to keep their children at home) • attendance at funerals • travel in Australia and overseas • recognised religious festivals or ceremonial occasion

F- The student is participating in a flexible timetable and is not present because they are not required to be at school. The student is not necessarily sick but not present at school because: • The student has an ongoing medical condition •The student is subject to a Public Health Order (and required to isolate) • The student, or a family member, have one of the categories identified as being at increased risk by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).

This may relate to situations in which the student is unable to return to school due to an underlying health condition, which places them or a household member at greater risk from the impacts of Covid-19. In this case students will access, and complete work provided by the school. A medical certificate should be provided. If parents or carers require work to be provided to children whilst they are at home due to an underlying health condition, they should contact the school for assistance, as well as planning for their return to school.

This code is also used in instances in which the school is made non-operational, and students are required to learn from home (e.g., closed for contract tracing and deep cleaning).

M- The student is exempt from attending school and a Certificate of Exemption has been issued by the principal and endorsed by the CSO. Usually relating to long-term, serious medical needs of the child and requires substantive documentation from specialists.

CLASS PLACEMENT 2022

Teachers are working on the creation of class lists for next year and many hours are spent on this task. Please be assured that teachers use their professional knowledge of students and their judgement of what is best for each individual child when considering groupings. The approach to learning at St Patrick’s means that students, no matter which class they are in, engage in learning with many teachers during the day, including the other teachers in the grade/pod and RFF teachers.

In assigning students to classes, teachers are asked to consider the following criteria:

• learning abilities
• gender balance
• collaborative partnerships - these are not necessarily social friends but students they enjoy and work well with.
• social interactions/ friendship groups – The nature of the pod environment and provision of 3 classes within each grade naturally allows for regular interaction of students across the day. Opportunities for all children to engage meaningfully and communicate with each other are provided, despite the allocation to Blue, White or Yellow classes.

A great deal of consultation occurs in teams and with leadership before lists are finalised. If you have thoughts regarding your child’s learning needs and placement for next year, please share these in writing. This is not a guarantee that the lists will reflect your suggestion or request as we have great faith in the judgement and decisions made by the teachers who best know these children in the learning environment. Your input can however sometimes give us a different perspective when considering class groupings. Please do not make requests based on teachers.

If there are any special considerations or concerns that parents/carers feel the school should take into consideration, please put them in writing and send them to school no later than Monday 1st November. Letters or emails should be addressed ‘Attention: Jacqueline Wilkinson’ and marked ‘Confidential’.

Information provided after Monday 1st November will not be considered and parents should not assume that previous requests or communication will suffice, as situations do change over time.

STAFFING 2022

St Patrick’s is currently undertaking interviews to meet staffing requirements s for 2022. This will include the establishment of our new CANTEEN SUPERVISOR.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

A change is coming…

St Patrick’s is currently liaising with the Sisters of St Joseph and key personnel to design new Sporting Houses, which will better reflect our Catholic history, indigenous heritage and the natural flora and fauna of the area. Research is being undertaken and designs developed to articulate artistically and symbolically this rich connection to Lochinvar’s past and future.

In the near future, we will be unveiling plans, which will extend to new House names and flags and Sport Shirt designs.

PARENTING PAGE

WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY: OCTOBER 29TH

Teachers belong to the noblest profession as we have the privilege of helping shape the lives of the young people in our care. World Teachers Day provides an opportunity for communities to say 'thank you' and celebrate the achievements and leadership of teachers. It is an opportunity to take a moment to recognise the passion of teachers and how teaching has extended beyond the classroom in maintaining connections through remote learning.

I encourage you to show your appreciation, making sure your teachers know you value their resilience, leadership and adaptability throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the many ways their demonstrate their commitment and love and care of your children.