Hi to all of our families this week, particularly those in lockdown at home engaging in Blended Learning. Last week I sent out a little video to connect with you and to remind you as we started lockdown to be kind to yourselves and focus on staying well. We thank you for your supportive and appreciative messages sent in from families. 

Having been around the school each day this week, I have missed so many of our children and families who we would normally see throughout a regular week. We are praying for lockdown to end as quickly as possible and for all of our community to remain safe and healthy at this time. While I am always optimistic, I was aware that lockdown may not only be for a week, and here we are with another week announced. 

Today you will receive a letter that is somewhat shorter than last week, as most of the Blended Learning information is the same for the coming week, and beyond, should it continue. Please read notes that come out thoroughly to ensure you know what is happening.

While it saddens us to not have all of our students at school, as we miss them dearly, we are still under a Stay at Home directive unless we have to be away from home to go to our place of work. Staff continue to be under this directive unless rostered on at school to supervise the children of essential workers. We understand this is not fun for many families, but we ask that you continue to support us in complying with the directive so that we can get back to “normal” as quickly as possible. 

Just like at school where every student is different and unique, so are families. What works for one family may not work for another. What one student can achieve at home in these circumstances may not be achievable for another. Throughout this time we must remember we are all different and unique. Everyone is doing their very best under the circumstances. This is not a time to make comparisons or judgments or feel like you are not ‘doing a good job’. Whatever learning your child/ren experience over this period will be perfectly okay. We all just need to do ‘our’ very best. There's no map for this journey that we're on. Try to cultivate patience, practice empathy and have a sense of humour. This might seem difficult at times but now more than ever it is so important. 

A number of reflections have been circulating around social media platforms and I thought that the two shared here for you are highly appropriate to our situation right now. Don’t forget to think about what is the most important thing for your family right now, to be well throughout this time and also remember how well our kids are already doing. We can do this! As always, please contact us if you need any assistance or reassurance.

Please enjoy this video produced by our Year 4 students Lailah, Laila, Evie and Charli. 

free parent webinar

The Butterfly Foundation is providing information and tips on supporting children's body image, including a brand new session specifically addressing young males.  Please look in the below flyer.

Tess Koning
Principal

Jeannine Ucdereli
Assisant Principal Learning and Teaching

Nathan Porter
Assistant Principal Mission