Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students of St Catherine’s,
Welcome to the first edition of our school newsletter for 2021.
What a start to the year for the Adelaide Hills community! The Cherry Gardens bushfire impacted many of our staff and families so it was reassuring to hear that everyone stayed safe during this time. Thankfully the fires ended up being contained reasonably quickly and we were able to start the school year as planned last week. It was wonderful to see everyone return safely to school with smiles on their faces.
Beginning a new year brings renewed hope and aspirations for the journey ahead. We continue to be extremely fortunate in the way that South Australia has navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many, I am glad that 2020 is behind us, however we need to be mindful that we continue to live and work during a time of global pandemic. For anyone with family, friends, children, or colleagues who might still be experiencing the far reaching impacts of COVID 19, our prayers, thoughts and support are with you. The way that we develop and support the young people in our care (and their families) during this time remains our highest priority.
We have two new teachers who have started at St Catherine's this year. Kerry Cornelius is our Year 6 class teacher and Bianca Foote is our Year 2 class teacher. I'd like to officially welcome Kerry and Bianca to our school community and wish them every blessing as they engage in the work of developing and growing the young people in their care.
I'd also like to warmly welcome our 22 new Reception students - Sophie, Quinn, Hector, Maple, Charlie, Indi, Darcy, Scarlett, Abigail, Sam, Ella, Ned, Josephine, Liam, Blake ,Bodhi, Harper, Alexander, Edward, Asher, Poppy and Toni-Mari. Welcome also to Liam, Lauren and Eden in 2F, Cooper and Lucas in 3/4K and Jamie in 3/4H. It is great to have so many new families and we look forward to working in partnership with you to support your child's learning, growth and development over the coming years.
All families should have received via Skoolbag a Parent Information Handbook for their child's learning neighbourhood. These handbooks provide important information related to the day to day experiences and expectations at school along with information relevant to the particular year level your child is in. If you haven't received a copy please contact your child's class teacher. Families should also have received a Term 1 calendar of events.
Teachers have spent the first weeks of this term establishing positive learning environments where students feel safe and connected and we hope that every child is developing a strong sense of belonging at St Catherine's.
Learning Conversations
Next week, teachers will be meeting with parents/ guardians and students to discuss how students have settled in and to establish and share initial learning goals for the year. Each meeting is allocated a 15 minute timeframe. If further conversation is needed beyond this time, teachers will invite you to make another time to follow up at a later date.
COVID Restrictions
As we continue to navigate the changing circumstances of Covid-19, there are ongoing restrictions that we need to continue to follow. Please note the following:
Preventing illness
Personal hygiene and the hygiene standards in our school is critical to reducing the risk of infection.
All children and staff are encouraged to:
- wash their hands regularly, particularly after using the toilet and before eating
- avoid spreading infections to others by staying home if they are unwell
- cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue.
Requirements that remain in place
- It is important that students and staff stay home if they are unwell.
- Adults, including parents must continue to physical distance wherever possible, including at school pick up and drop off, or when attending school events
- Parents are asked not to enter the school building at drop off and pick up times unless absolutely necessary.
- All adults that enter our site are asked to use the hand sanitizing stations available at the front entrance and in other various locations around the school.
We are able to proceed with events such as Liturgies, Masses and Assemblies at school, providing government health advice and physical distancing requirements are strictly followed; this includes adhering to room density requirements when visitors are on site. Throughout Term 1, parents, friends and relatives are welcome to join our class Masses and liturgies as we gather in year level cohorts. Due to the continuing room density restrictions we are unable to have parents attend our whole school assemblies which are held twice each term. Should these restrictions ease, we will let you know. Anyone planning to attend any school event taking place must register their attendance via our school website Parent Attendance Registration page.
COVIDSAfe Check- in and Visitor sign-in
We have been advised by CESA that next week we will be provided with and required to display a School COVIDSAfe check in (similar to that of shops, restaurants, etc). This will be on display at the front entrance to the school as well as in the Administration area and all adults (including staff and parents) entering the site must check-in by scanning the QR code or completing the paper recording log template.
(Please note the COVIDSAfe Check-in is purely for SA Health contact tracing purposes and does not replace our normal visitor sign-in process. All guests should continue to sign in at the front office/reception on arrival).
We are in the process of setting up digital sign-in via an iPad for visitors. This will replace our current paper based sign-in process for all visitors, late students, etc.
Directions for 2021
In 2020 parents, staff and parishioners were invited via an online survey to contribute their feedback regarding the direction for St Catherine's School over the coming years. Our 2021-2023 School Strategic plan is nearing completion and will be shared with our community later this term. I am pleased to share the key areas for development in 2021 include a focus on:
- Catholic Identity
- Learning and Wellbeing
- Student Agency
This year we have established our over-arching learning theme to be 'Developing kind and courageous hearts'. As a staff and school community we will explore what this means throughout the year as we engage in the important work of developing thriving people, capable learners and leaders for the world God desires.
Warm regards,
John Low
Principal
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