Welcome Message from the Principal

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the end of Week 4!! Today's prayer reflection above was shared at our parent information session for First Eucharist last week. It is also relevant as we gather together tomorrow with the Sts Peter and Paul school community to celebrate our Parish Feast Day, the Feast of The Transfiguration.

Yesterday I had the privilege of accompanying Kindergarten on their excursion to St John's School House Museum and Church. I was particularly impressed with the children's insightful and thoughtful questioning posed to the guides at the differing areas of exploration. We know this critical thinking and questioning enables students the agility and imagination to respond to new knowledge and unexpected challenges. It was so impressive to see this natural curiosity extend their learning collaboratively in a new environment.

Yesterday our staff met together to further look at preparation and planning if we were to go into lock down in the ACT. Please be assured we will be ready for this situation if it arises and I will keep you continually informed of what this will mean for our community and remote learning. We are planning for the following measures for lock down as follows:

We would continue to remain open for children of emergency workers and families needing support
We would move to a remote learning model for all students
Leadership and skeleton teaching staff would be on site on a rotational basis (excluding medically vulnerable staff)

As far as families preparing for a lockdown situation, it is important to stress that school will not be open for many children to attend. This is because of the Delta strain of COVID and the high level of contagion that goes with it. We know from observing cases of this variant spreading amongst students in Victoria, NSW and QLD that there is a much greater risk for all in our community. Our priority is to best support the well being and safety of students, staff and our wider school community.

Let us pray for those currently in lock down and also that we continue to remain COVID free in our area.

It is important to ask again that if any students have any COVID or flu type Symptoms please do not send them to school. Unfortunately there are still numerous amounts of children coming to school with these contagious symptoms. We have had a lot of staff members away on sick leave for a considerable amount of time and relief staff is very difficult to find at the moment. Please let us be mindful to continue to take care of all in our community and work together to limit the spread of sickness.

Last week at our School board meeting, we further discussed the opportunity to begin a school face Book page. This is to celebrate in our community the wonderful learning experiences and achievements of our school community. Before we launch this page, we are inviting a response to an opt out choice for parents who do not wish their child/ren photo to be published on Facebook.

Click here to access our 'opt out' Facebook Form.

By next Friday, 13th August we ask that all opt out forms be completed. On Monday, 16th August we will launch our Facebook page and we encourage you to like this!

Hats, Hats, Hats

Our SunSmart policy states that all children and staff are required to wear hats and sunscreen when outside from August to April each year. Please ensure your child has a clearly labelled hat each day ready to wear during breaks and outside activities.

2022 Students not returning.

With the ACT schools enrolment period closed, and acceptances completed, can we please ask that if your child is not returning to Holy Trinity for the 2022 school year that you complete the notification by clicking here.

Have a wonderful weekend and a peace-filled week ahead with your beautiful families.

Philippa

Philippa Brearley -
Email: philippa.brearley@cg.catholic.edu.au

2021 Term 3 Week 4