Newsletter May 12th, 2020
- Principal's Message
- Home Learning Photos
- School Return Dates
- My 2020 Quarantine Time Capsule
- Benefits Of Play Flyer
- Form for Onsite Supervision at School during Covid-19 Restrictions
- Attendance During Remote Learning
- Learning Feedback Form
- 2020 Fees
- Virtual Bookclub
- Wellbeing
- Birthdays
- A Special Message to our School Communities from our Principals
- Mass Times - Gordon & Bungaree Parish
A Prayer in Gratitude for Our Mothers
Good and Gentle God,
We pray in gratitude for our mothers and for all the women of theory who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life. You who became human through a woman, grant to all mothers the courage they need to face the uncertain future that life with children always brings.
Give them the strength to live and to be loved in return, not perfectly, but humanly.
Give them the faithful support of family and friends as they care for the physical and spiritual growth of their children.
Give them joy and delight in their children to sustain them through the trials of motherhood. Most of all, give them the wisdom to turn to you for help when they need it most.-
Author Unknown
Dear Parents and friends,
A belated Happy Mothers Day to all of the women in our community, at a time when the love, support and encouragement provided so naturally by them is craved by us all in a time when we are surrounded by such turmoil and uncertainty. Hopefully each of you received the love and recognition you each so richly deserve. We would love to hear about some of the clever and creative ways you found to celebrate the day with your family!
Hopefully everyone has heard the great news from Daniel Andrews this morning that schools will begin the process of reopening very shortly. The information we have so far includes:
- Monday 25 May Pupil free day
- Monday 25 May – Return of staff (except a small group of potentially-vulnerable staff)
- Tuesday 26 May – Return of Foundation and Years 1 and 2, 11 and 12 (plus Year 10s in VET/VCE classes) and special schools
- Tuesday 9 June – Return of Years 3-10
These are all the details we have at the moment, but we do know there will need to be very strict protocols in place to allow children to begin to attend school again in the near future. We will keep you updated as more information comes to hand. However in the meantime, we can all begin the count down until we reach ‘another’ new normal !!
In reflecting on the learning at home we have been engaging in over the last number of weeks, I have been totally inspired by the commitment and energy shown by parents and teachers in working with our students in a range of creative and innovative ways to ensure they are continuing to engage in valuable learning opportunities.
We all know and appreciate that learning from home has at times been difficult, frustrating and even at times seeming impossible, yet also an inspiring and fantastic way for you to really understand more about your child’s learning. The feedback from some parents has indicated that they now know more about their child and how they approach their learning than they ever knew before.
We ask you to try and stay strong - the end is in sight - and remember that learning is not just taking place through literacy and numeracy activities - everything - doing jobs, playing, cooking, being outside all have opportunities for learning and engagement.
Take care,
Gabe
We share with you some of the learning that has been taking place in your homes - and thank you it is a joy to see all of these wonderful experiences.
- Monday 25 May - Pupil free day
- Monday 25 May - Return of staff (except a small group of potentially-vulnerable staff)
- Tuesday 26 May - Return of Foundation and Years 1 and 2, 11 and 12 (plus Year 10s in VET/VCE classes) and special schools
- Tuesday 9 June – Return of Years 3-10
We are living through a very unique time in history! Imagine how interesting it would be for you to remember in the future all the things you did during this time. Get together with your family members to create your 2020 family time capsule or create one just for yourself!
To ensure the health and wellbeing of all students and staff during supervised, on-site learning, each person is required to complete the Australian Government-approved symptom checker here.
If your child meets the criteria for on-site learning supervision and they will be attending school, please complete the google form sent out to all parents via PAM/SIMON Everywhere. This form can also be found here.
Please note, this form MUST BE COMPLETED EACH WEEK if attending onsite supervision, so that appropriate supervision can be arranged. You must make a booking for each child for the days they will be attending. This form must be completed by the Sunday prior to any attendance at school. If you have any queries please contact the school. We are working with a minimal staff but Gabe is at the school each day.
Please note that, as per advice from the VRQA (Victorian Registrations and Qualifications Authority), we are now required to record student attendance each day. Teachers will determine that a student is ‘present’ if:
- the student has actively contributed at least one piece of work as required in the Remote Learning Plan for their class e.g. a student has uploaded a required task to SeeSaw or through Google Classroom.
If your child is sick, parents/carers are asked to follow our normal procedure and notify the office or complete an absence notification via or PAM.
A Continuing Learning Plan Feedback Form can be found here. We really value your honest feedback about how you and your child are managing this new way of learning. Such feedback will help us address any issues and potentially improve the manner in which we continue to deliver our program.
You would have received Term 2 Fee Statements. With this, please be rest assured that fee relief is available for families requiring genuine fee support.
Please see the attached letter outlining the fee relief available, along with a Covid-19 Fee Relief Request Form and the Catholic schools Family Fee Assistance Scheme brochure for families holding a means tested Health Care Card, Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or Veteran Affairs Pensioner Card.
Please return the form and/or a copy of your valid card to the office. Please contact Gabe or the office should you wish to discuss this further.
Scholastic's Bookclub has gone virtual for Term 2. Pleae click here to access the virutal catalogue. Please note that LOOP ordering is the easist way to order for Term 2.
Please see below some wellbeing tips to support you through this experience from our Pastoral Care Worker, Vivian Lunt.
May 2 - Noah Cardona
May 3 - Remi Jeandet
May 4 - Angus Tranter
May 14 - Oliver Nuner
May 15 - Joseph Seketa
May 19 - Iris Yearwood
May 27 - Emmy Fidler
May 28 - Clara Monterosso
As we commence Term 2 with most students learning from home, we would like to share this video message with all of our St Brigid's families, from 29 representative principals from across the Diocese.
No masses until further advised due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Please see attached letter from Bishop Paul.