Dear Parents 

It has been pleasing having everyone onsite this week. One thing we need to give credit to our children is for being resilient. It has been common when speaking with them to have a conversation about finding learning at home ‘not bad’, I still did my best in one breath, then pretty happy to be back in the classroom with their mates. This is important to the staff in keeping up with the conversation about how we are all feeling both at home and school. Please remember we are happy to help in any way to ensure everyone’s well being is nurtured.

On the subject of our children being resilient - they are also smart and need to be given credit for what is happening in the world around them. Every morning before school I make a point of talking to the kids about anything that comes to mind. It doesn’t take long for them to initiate conversation. Just in the last week we have talked about vaccination or anti-vaccination, what are the hard parts to resuming school and just yesterday some of the older boys wanted to express their opinion on the South African cricketer, Quinton de Kock who refused to kneel with his teammates in support of the Black Lives Matters (BLM) movement. While it is not up to teachers to influence opinions we do like to hear student opinions, and they are that with strong articulation.

An email was sent home yesterday about Foundation 2022 Orientation. Please note that because of COVID-19 restrictions we do not have a definitive date for Orientation. All schools are working closely together as we prepare for the slow easing of restrictions that will follow in the coming weeks. We also have a number of school functions that we are trying to organise before the end of the year. Our Grade Six students will graduate to secondary school at the end of term and we really would like to send them off with a celebration when allowed. Our Sacramental Program has stalled now for many months and we hope together with Father Edwin to begin these celebrations soon.

We are beginning to organise our staffing for next year. Over the coming weeks the school will make announcements of staff coming to our school (or leaving) for the 2022 school year. This will include the structure of our PODS and the support in each space.

I hope you all can enjoy the long weekend

Jason