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COVID-19 Update - LAST WEEK OF TERM

31 Mar 2020

Dear parents and carers,

I trust that all things remote learning and staying at home are going as best as possible. Thank you to all our community for your support of each other.

Attached is a letter from the Director of Catholic Education, Ross Fox. It outlines that next week, 6 - 9 April, all primary school staff will be undertaking professional learning to support the effective and reliable implementation of remote learning across all schools from the start of Term 2. 

This means that there will be no online communication aspect of the remote learning program in place next week. All teachers will be engaged for the four days in professional learning. The grid work and any prior set work for the week can still be completed if you wish.

The letter asks for alternative arrangements to be made for children who are still attending school. Please be aware that should this not be possible, St Joseph's will be able to provide supervision over the four days.

Thank you for your understanding during these challenging times. Please contact me if you have any questions. 

DIRECTOR_TO_PARENTS_LAST_WEEK_OF_TERM.pdf

Regards,
Cameron Tarrant
Principal

A New Immediate Future

26 Mar 2020

Dear parents, carers and the St Joseph's community,

We are now starting to realise the new normal and facing a very different immediate future. A huge amount of change has already taken place and we have been busy preparing as best as we can as a school to support our wonderful students, our families and each other. It is something that can be overwhelming, but I share with you below words borrowed from elsewhere, but so very needed at this time.

Our kids are just as scared as we are right now.  Our kids not only can hear everything that is going on around them, but they feel our constant tension and anxiety. They have never experienced anything like this before. Although the idea of being off of school for weeks sounds awesome, they are probably picturing a fun time like additional holidays, not the reality of being trapped at home and not seeing their friends.

Over the coming weeks, you will see an increase in behaviour issues with your kids. Whether it is anxiety, or anger, or protest that they can’t do things normally - it will happen.  You’ll see more meltdowns, tantrums, and oppositional behaviour in the coming weeks.  This is normal and expected under these circumstances.

What kids need right now is to feel comforted and loved. To feel like it’s all going to be ok. And that might mean that you tear up your perfect schedule and love on your kids a bit more. Play outside and go on walks (keeping social distancing in mind). Bake cupcakes and paint pictures. Play board games and watch movies. Do a science experiment together or find virtual field trips of the zoo. Start a book and read together as a family. Snuggle under warm blankets and do nothing.

Don’t worry about them regressing in school. Every single kid is in this boat and they all will be ok.  When we are back in the classroom, we will look at where they are with their learning and pick up from there.  Teachers are experts at this! Don’t pick fights with your kids because they don’t want to do math.  Don’t scream at your kids for not following the schedule. Don’t mandate 2 hours of learning time if they are resisting it.

If I can leave you with one thing, it’s this: at the end of all of this, your kids’ mental health will be more important than their academic skills.  How they felt during this time will stay with them long after the memory of what they did during these weeks is long gone. So keep that in mind, every single day.

Thank you all for what you do for your children and for us at St Joseph's. We have a remarkable community, one that I am immensely proud of particularly at this time.

Take care and continue to stay safe,

Cameron Tarrant

Principal 

March 25 Newsletter

25 Mar 2020

Click here to view the March 25 Schoolzine eNewsletter!

COVID-19 Update

24 Mar 2020

Dear parents and carers,

Please see attached some information and links to resources that you may find helpful at this time.

COVID_19_FACT_SHEET_Family_Wellbeing_Support_Resources.pdf

Regards,
Cameron Tarrant
Principal

COVID-19 Update

24 Mar 2020

Dear parents and carers,

Thank you for your support and care over the past week. I have passed on your thoughts and encouragement to all staff.

Please see attached a letter relating to students attending school and also what is planned in regards to learning for the remainder of Term 1.

Parent Letter Tuesday 24 March 2020.pdf

Regards,
Cameron Tarrant
Principal

COVID-19 Update

23 Mar 2020

Dear parents and carers,

As advised, attached is a link to the communication from the Director of Catholic Education, Mr Ross Fox.

Director to Parents and Carers COVID19.pdf

In short, St Joseph's continues to be open to students and families who need to attend school, however, parents may choose to keep their child / children home from tomorrow, Tuesday 24 March until further notice. If you choose to keep your child at home until the end of Term 1, please email me cameron.tarrant@cg.catholic.edu.au .

Please be aware that over the coming days and weeks, our wonderful teachers will continue to plan for a remote delivery of teaching and learning. In the interim, they may provide some work and ideas for students to go on with at home.

Your ongoing support and concern is greatly appreciated. 

Regards,
Cameron Tarrant
Principal

COVID-19 Update

23 Mar 2020

Dear parents and carers,

The response of all Australian governments to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve rapidly.

You may be aware that last night Education Minister Yvette Berry shared news about the impending actions due to COVID-19 for ACT government schools. I have had contact from our Director of Catholic Education Mr Ross Fox. He has called all Principals together for a meeting later today. By mid afternoon I will provide a further update and give you all a very clear picture of what impact this will have for our sector.

Please be assured that I will feedback all information you need and that we are committed to keeping your children calm, confident and happy.

I thank you all for your continued trust and supportive comments.

Regards,
Cameron Tarrant
Principal

COVID-19 Update

22 Mar 2020

Dear parents and carers,

Tonight it has been reported in the media that school closures will take effect from Tuesday, 24 March. Please know that at this stage, there is no official confirmation of this from the ACT Department of Education or Catholic Education.

What is definite, is that St Joseph's will be open and operational as usual, Monday 23 March.

I will update the community as soon as practicable in relation to further developments.

Thank you for your support and understanding. 

Regards,
Cameron Tarrant
Principal

Canteen Closed - ALL WEEK

22 Mar 2020

Dear parents and carers,

The Canteen will remain closed this week, 23 - 25 March. This is NOT due to any current health alerts.

Qkr! has been disabled, so no lunch orders will be able to be placed and there will be no over the counter sales.

Regards,
Cameron Tarrant
Principal

Nachos Day - Friday 20 March

19 Mar 2020

A reminder about our Nachos Day this Friday 20 March.

Nachos_day_20march.pdf