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Amen
STAY CALM AND BREATHE
This week’s newsletter will be brief. We know we have been communicating large amounts of information to you as the Coronavirus situation continues to grow and we all feel the effects of uncertainty for ourselves and those around us. We will continue to send out a maximum of one piece of communication where possible each day or so as we don’t want to overwhelm families. If you could please read these as they may reduce your concerns and questions individually. We will try and respond individually to anything that comes through from you within 24 hours, as we are here to help, but if there is a large volume of communication it may take a little longer. We appreciate your patience. If it is a question relating to learning, please email your child’s class teacher. If it is a question relating to attendance or other school needs, please email or phone the office.
I would like to say this week much the same as our Director’s message was earlier in the week. We are all feeling concerned and overwhelmed with the unknown and the decisions, whether we agree or not, that our Country’s leaders are making. Add to this people whose livelihoods are threatened or gone, parents who are working and feeling the pressure of what is best for their children, parents who are trying their best to assist their children to continue learning at home, parents who are essential workers without the choice but to continue doing their work for other people to be safe and have what they need. It’s natural to be stressed.
My message to those of you with home learning: we have passionate teachers who will provide all that you need to know your children will continue to learn, but you don’t need to do everything. Do what you can manage and that will be enough. There is no judgement here for whatever situation you find yourself in and I pray that there is no judgement from parents to other parents. We are all together in taking care for our children and as long as we are a supportive community, we will be ok.
From the Director’s letter this week:
What we all need right now is to feel safe, comforted and loved. To feel like it’s all going to be ok. And that might mean a slower transition into blended learning for your child. Take advantage of this time to slow down, and focus on connections and feelings of security for your child. During all this don’t forget yourselves and your own wellbeing. To be our best for our children, we ourselves need to take time for our own mental, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
Tess Koning
Principal
WEEKLY MASS
Please follow this link to access free online resources for families and children in the absence of weekly Mass - https://cathfamily.org/
FREE RESOURCE DATABASE
CathFamily has a vast library of free resources for families, schools and parishes that celebrates Catholic culture. The free weekly eNews lists seasonal resources including downloadable prayers, feast day celebrations, recipes, craft, articles and links to other helpful resources.
Kids section: https://cathfamily.org/cathkids-faith-unlimited/
CANCELLATION OF CONFIRMATION
Nathan Porter
Assistant Principal Mission
Jeannine Ucdereli
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
Assistance for Parents and Families
Please see below an information sheet from Catholic Schools NSW outlining sources of support for families, households, income and small business.
TALKING WITH CHILDREN ABOUT CORONAVIRUS
As public conversations around coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increase, children may worry about themselves, their family, and friends getting ill with COVID-19. Parents, family members, school staff, and other trusted adults can play an important role in helping children make sense of what they hear in a way that is honest, accurate, and minimizes anxiety or fear.
General principles for talking to children
Remain calm and reassuring
Remember that children will react to both what you say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations you have with them and with others.
Make yourself available to listen and to talk
Make time to talk. Be sure children know they can come to you when they have questions.
Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma
Remember that viruses can make anyone sick, regardless of a person’s race or ethnicity. Avoid making assumptions about who might have COVID-19.
Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio, or online
Consider reducing the amount of screen time focused on COVID-19. Too much information on one topic can lead to anxiety.
Provide information that is honest and accurate
Give children information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child. Talk to children about how some stories on COVID-19 on the Internet and social media may be based on rumors and inaccurate information.
Explain that most people who get sick feel like they have a cold or the flu. Children pick up on it when parents worry. So when you talk about coronavirus, use a calm voice and try not to seem upset.
Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs
Remind children to stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing or sick.
Remind them to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, then throw the tissue into the trash.
Discuss any new actions that may be taken at school to help protect children and school staff (e.g. increased handwashing, cancellation of events or activities).
Get children into a handwashing habit.
- Teach them to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
- If soap and water are not available, teach them to use hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol. Supervise young children when they use hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol, especially in schools and childcare facilities.
Let your kids know that it's normal to feel worried
Everyone does. Recognising these feelings and knowing that stressful times pass and life gets back to normal can help children build resilience.
Source:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/talking-with-children.html
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/coronavirus-how-talk-child.html
Useful contacts:
- Lifeline - 131114 - 24 hour crisis line.
- Parent Line NSW - 1300 1300 52 - Weekdays 9am to 9pm; Weekends 4pm-9pm.
- Mental Health Access Line - 1800 011 511 - 24 hour triage line from NSW Health - available for carers as well as people with a mental health issue to access the best service for them.
- Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 - free, private and confidential 24 hour phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
Kelly Russell
School Counsellor
2021 YEAR 7 HIGH SCHOOL ENROLMENTS
Our MacKillop College and St Joseph’s College Principal’s recently visited all Catholic feeder schools. At that point students and parents were advised that we were moving towards an online enrolment process. Unfortunately, due to the current demand on our IT teams as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic requiring a move to digital learning platforms, we are unable to move to online enrolment this year and therefore will be reverting to our traditional paper enrolment method.
Year 6 students in our Catholic feeder schools were MAILED their enrolment packages this week (Thursday 26th March).
Parents are asked to follow the instructions carefully (photocopies only of supporting documentation MUST be attached please) and return their completed application to the respective Colleges prior to the end of Term 1, if possible.
UNIFORM STORE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Unfortunately we have had to close the Uniform Store, both online and shop front, until further notice due to COVID-19 guidelines. As soon as this changes we will communicate it to you through the schools.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
2021 KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS
We are currently preparing online resources for the information that was to be delivered during this session and we will let you know once this is ready.
Our Primary School Tours, scheduled for Thursday 2nd April, are also cancelled.
We are continuing the enrolment application process, albeit online, to ensure we are doing everything to prepare for the education of your child as they start school in 2021.
In the coming weeks, we will be in touch to provide more information about our primary schools. In the meantime, if you have any questions please email us at enrol@stagnesparish.org.au and we will do our best to answer your query.
Thank you for your patience at this time.
St Agnes' Parish Education Team
CANCELLATIONS
As you are probably aware, almost all sports are now cancelled up until September.
Please keep up to date on the Diocese of Lismore Sport website which the Catholic Schools Office are updating regularly -
https://sport.lism.catholic.edu.au/cancellations?doing_wp_cron=1584485846.8669068813323974609375
Please also see the link to School Sport Australia website for updates -
http://www.schoolsportaustralia.edu.au/blog/2020/03/23/ssa-announces-cancellation-of-2020-championships/
Yours in Sport
Laura Hatherly
LUNCH ORDERS
The canteen is still operating as usual and lunch orders can still be placed via Flexischools or by dropping them in the basket on the counter each morning.
As we get closer to school holidays, and with the current supply issues, there may be some things that are unavailable however I will do my best to find a substitute if this occurs.
VOLUNTEER NOTICE
Thank you to all of our volunteers that were rostered to help in the canteen. We are still unable to have volunteers in the canteen at this stage until further notice.
Thank you for your understanding on both of these matters.
Don't forget you can order online by 8:30am- it's so easy!!
- Download the Flexischools app from the App Store or from Google Play.
Note: for iPhone and iPad please select ‘Allow’ notification - Click “Register Now” to create account
- Top-up your balance
- Start ordering immediately
- Alternatively Go to www.flexischools.com.au
Kim Goldie
Canteen Coordinator
PLEASE NOTE -
This is currently suspended until we have more information about the health risks of this process.
Emma Francis
Sustainability Team
Week 10 - Term 1 2020 |
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Wednesday 1st April |
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Week 11 - Term 1 2020 |
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Monday |
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Wednesday 8th April |
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Thursday 9th April |
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Week 1 - Term 2 2020 |
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Monday |
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Tuesday |
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Wednesday 29th April |
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Please note these dates can change from time to time due to unforeseen circumstances and we will endeavour to advise you of any changes at the earliest possible opportunity. Our school Google calendar can be accessed via this link for additional advanced dates -
For your convenience school term dates are located on our website. Click on the words “TERM DATES” on the home page.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS 2020
As we are aware that parents and carers need to know about Staff Development Days so they can forward plan work arrangements, our remaining days (pupil free) are:
- Thursday 9th April (Term 1, Week 11)
- Monday 27th April (Term 2, Week 1)
- Monday 20th July (Term 3, Week 1)
- Monday 12th October (Term 4, Week 1)
For each of these days (with the exception of 9th April) we will offer limited child minding places. Closer to each date we will advise on how to register for the child minding if you require it.
Home Learning Resource Packs
Letter from Dr Sally Towns, Director Catholic Schools Office Lismore - COVID-19 24-03-2020
Technology and Home Learning - Letter and resources for Parents
Update from Dr Sally Towns, Director Catholic Schools Office Lismore - COVID-19 23-03-2020
COVID-19 Update around attendance and learning
Grade teams contact details
KM |
Hudson Bruen |
For showing reverence during prayer. |
Jacob Wittenberg |
For being an enthusiastic participant in the classroom. |
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Blake Yewdall |
For being a good listener and showing 'ready to learn' behaviours. |
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KS |
Emerence Young |
For being a kind and caring friend to her peers. |
Kathleen Yewdall |
For showing reverence during prayer. |
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Jack Rock |
For using whole number knowledge to complete Mathematics tasks. |
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1B |
Elsie Enriquez |
For working hard at school. Keep up the great work, Elsie! |
Patrick Sleeman-Duncombe |
For working hard on his spelling and reading. Great job Patrick! |
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Jake Kaandorp |
For being so helpful to everyone this Term. Great job, Jake! |
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1R |
Tilly Scott |
For amazing application to all tasks she undertakes. You have made some wonderful progress this Term. |
Archie Rex |
For your application to your sentence construction - you have written some amazing sentences this week. |
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Keilah Long |
For how much care you take with presenting your work and for your amazing talent you show when we do sport. |
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2S |
Lucas Single |
For always giving of his best throughout the school day.Thank you Lucas. |
Bronte Sprague |
For a more settled approach to her learning. Thank you Bronte. |
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Lylah Robinson |
For trying hard to improve in her learning. Thank you Lylah. |
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2T |
Noah Alchin |
For being a respectful learner. |
Lilly Smith |
For being a respectful learner. |
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Ruby Gilbert |
For being a respectful learner. |
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3BH |
Chloe Widdison |
For her organisation and resilience this week. |
James Reilly |
For contributing more to classroom discussion in the last few weeks. |
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Harrison Hoade |
For his resilience and trying to soldier on. |
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3D |
Maya Marshall |
For her wonderful "Home Learning" efforts this week. |
Lailah Watson |
For her wonderful "Home Learning" efforts this week. |
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Ryder Monckton |
For using wonderful descriptive vocabulary in his imaginative writing. Well done Ryder! |
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4B |
Lara Hardy |
For her willingness to take on a part in 4B's prayer assembly, and speaking so confidently. |
Samuel Cummins |
For his willingness to take on a part in 4B's prayer assembly, and speaking so confidently. |
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Bo Sprague |
For using a variety of persuasive techniques in her writing to strengthen her persuasive arguments. |
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4F |
Oliver Hanks |
For his positive attitude and helpful spirit both in the classroom and with our online learning. |
Amelie Obeid |
For the energy she has shown in her online learning. Well done with your fairy bread instructions - they looked very yummy. |
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Jaskaran Saini |
For the growth mindset spirit you have shown this week. I love that you are continuing to ask questions and extend your learning. Thank you. |
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5G |
Penny Little |
For demonstrating a positive attitude throughout the week. |
Oliver Mat |
For demonstrating a positive attitude throughout the week. |
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Riley Robinson |
For demonstrating a positive attitude throughout the week. |
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5H |
Hayley Rickard |
For her conscientious effort at completing tasks from home. |
Tori McGrath |
For her positive attitude towards her schooling and the hard work she has put in at home. |
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Zara Lawrence |
For her eagerness in completing her school work from home. |
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6H |
Grace Chuwen |
For your commitment to learning and constant self-improvement. |
Miah Grech |
For contributing well thought responses in class discussions. |
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Jackson Filipek |
For engaging in classroom discussions and demonstrating an improved attitude to learning. |
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6MH |
Lachlan Burns |
For using a variety of strategies to solve mathematical problems. Well done. |
Darcy McHugh |
For accepting feedback and improving your work to achieve a better outcome. |
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Peyton Harris |
For showing reverence during all liturgies and prayer celebrations. You are a positive role model. |