Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to Term 4.

Hope that you have enjoyed a wonderful week and have had the opportunity to connect with family and friends.

We welcome back Kindergarten, Year 1 and their teachers this Monday. We are extremely excited for the reurn of students and staff to our school. The end of Term 2  Friday 25 June, was the last time we were together as a school community. Thankfully, we will be reunited after 122 days (4 months) on Monday 25 October when our Year 2 to Year 6 students and staff commence face to face teaching once again.

As students, staff, parents and carers, we should be extremely proud of what we have achieved through our collective efforts during this time. It has not been easy - personally and/or professionally. It has been challenging, frustrating, isolating and it continually tested our patience and character - it's been tough. Together we made it through this COVID-19 lock-down phase because of the strength of our culture, our character and the ability to lean on family, friends and our school for support, guidance and reassurance. For this, I am truly grateful and sincerely thankful. 

In saying this, we must not become complacent and/or be at ease with the lessening of restrictions and return of our students to school. It is both necessary and critically important that we continue to followed advise from NSW Health and CEDoW as we "Return to School' under Level 3/Level 3 Plus protocols. Please find below essential important information to support us during this 'Return to School' transition.

Morning Arrival

- For Week 3 only,  morning arrival at school from 8:30am for Kinder (East) and Year 1 (West) on the Front Cement. Students of essential workers (2-6) to arrive on the Paddock. 

- From Week 4 morning arrival at school from 8:30am for K-2 on Front Cement, Years 3-4 on the Infants Playground and Years 5-6 on the Paddock

Afternoon Dismissal (inclusive of wet weather)

- Parent Pick-up from Midgley Street (outside of Paddock) or Princes Hwy (in front of Church) at 3:00pm, Bus Lines on Front Cement at 3:05pm and Car lines from back of church at 3:10pm.

- In wet weather, Parent Pick Up to assemble under covered walkway on Paddock, Car lines undercover at Parish Centre and Bus Lines in Basement 

Parents, carers and grandparents are not to enter the school grounds. If visiting the office is essential then parents, carers and grandparents must sign-in via SCC QR Code, sanitise and be wearing a face mask.

We are strongly recommending that students wear face masks at school.  Please refer to the CEDoW SCC letter and Level 3/Level 3 Plus restrictions in the newsletter article 'Return to School' for additional information.

In relation to staffing, Mrs Tyrrell's (6G and Instructional Coach) maternity leave will  begin from Monday 1 November (Week 5). From this time Mrs Barrett will work with 6G Monday's to Friday's for the remainder of the school year.  Mrs Perre will be our new Instructional Coach, with Mrs Bower continuing to support 2G with Mrs Perre. We welcome Mr Lowrie who will join the 2B team and support Mrs Leonard on a Friday. These changes will commence in Week 5.

Laura Russell is our new CatholicCare School Counsellor. She has a Bachelor of Social Work and Diploma of Early Childhood Education. She has experience in providing counselling, case work and group work to children, adolescents and families within her previous roles with the Illawarra Drug and Alcohol Service, West Street Centre and Neami National. Laura will be a wonderful addition to our school community.

Thank once again for your support and commitment, patience, dedication and persistence throughout the last 122 days. Enjoy the next 2 weeks. Stay safe and connected.

Take care

Brad Colquhoun - Principal