Dear Friends,

I hope that you have had a great start to Term 3.

 If your children are anything like mine, you have probably been having lots of discussions about COVID-19 and what it means for them, your family, the ACT community and other people around the globe. The nature of these conversations may have changed over the past few months as amendments to health advice and requirements; variance in schedules for school, home and work; and the impact on sport, social life and perhaps even the way you shop have occurred.

Regardless of the conversations going on in your home, there are some key principles which experts suggest that we, as parents, should consider when talking to our children about COVID-19. These include being willing to have age-appropriate conversations with our children about the virus, and that these conversations should remind our children what is being done to keep everyone safe. Having a normal, albeit perhaps adapted, routines is also highlighted as something which is very important for young people. It is also critical that as parents and caregivers that we take good care of ourselves and recognise that the challenges and disruptions caused by COVID-19 has also been impactful on us. During these disrupted times it is also important to note that e-safety is particularly important to us all, including the risks for young people online. There are some excellent materials available on-line about how to speak to your children about COVID-19 and how best to keep everyone safe, if this is something you would like to know more about.

Whilst COVID-19 has disrupted many planned learning opportunities, events and activities at school, I would like to thank and acknowledge the terrific work done by the staff at Holy Trinity for quickly establishing a “new normal” in terms of school procedures; offering alternate learning opportunities; and adapting the academic, spiritual, sporting and social activities offered to our children so that the impact of this virus on school life and learning is minimised.

I would also like to thank all those parents who continue to contribute so generously to the school, notwithstanding the changes that have been required resultant of COVID-19.

If you would like to contact me at any point, or would like to raise any matters with the Board, please feel free to email me at sbpearsall@gmail.com.

Wishing you all the very best for the rest of this semester.

Scott