Principal's Message
Welcome to the end of Wk 1
We have had a wonderful start to our school term with happy faces and eager minds ready for a year’s learning. I am sure that this year will contain challenges for all our families, whether they be pandemic or family specific, please know that you can call on the school and our community for assistance.
I would also like to welcome all of our wonderful new staff and families into the SJV family.
O God,
I find myself at the beginning of another day.
I do not know what it will bring.
Please help me to be ready for whatever it may be.
If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely.
If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly.
If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently.
If I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly.
I pray just for today, for these twenty-four hours,
for the ability to cooperate with others according to the way Jesus taught us to live.
"Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
May these words that he taught us become more than words.
Send your Spirit to inspire me in time of doubt and indecision so that, together, we can walk along your path.
- J. Veltri, S.J.
Covid 19 Practices
As described in last week’s back to school email the school is following Covid Safe Practices in line with ACT Health and CE guidelines.
To keep our community informed you will receive a daily communique which began on Tuesday discussing the number of either staff or students who have tested positive from the day before. This communique is to keep you informed about the potential exposure to your child.
A reminder that parents are not permitted beyond the Front Office of our school and should not be in classes or corridors, this is a Covid Safe requirement. There has been a small amount of leeway for this guideline this week, due to some anxious students who are newly starting school this week. However this guideline will be enforced stringently from Wk 2 onward. This is to keep your child and the whole community safe.
People have asked about administration of RATs. The ACT is different to NSW/VIC as we are not mandated to test twice per week. Parents are asked to administer tests if students are showing signs of Covid 19. They can also be used to test on Day six if they are in isolation because they are a close contact with another family member.
If a staff member or a student has had Covid they don’t need to RAT test for 28 Days. It is highly likely it will return a false positive even after symptoms have ceased. They still must have no symptoms and have completed isolation requirements before returning to school.
Week 2 RAT's will be sent home with the eldest in the family on Friday. Please remove this from your child’s bag as soon as they arrive home.
Compass – 28th February Sole Office Communication Platform
Currently we are sending out many of our communications using a dual platform, Compass and general email. This will continue for 4 weeks until Compass becomes the only system for official communication.
Virtual School Launch – Tuesday 6:00pm – Microsoft Teams Student Accounts
Normally we would have a school Launch at our Welcome BBQ, unfortunately this is not possible for 2022 and as such we will have a small Information Session which will contain the following –
- Introducing Staff and SCC Chair
- School Goals
- Annual Plan Information
- Q & A for teachers throughout the presentation
A Microsoft Teams invitation will be sent out to all families on Monday and you can access the meeting through your child’s account.
Sport Day Changes
Due to timetabling changes we have rescheduled Sport Days for all students to now be on Monday and Friday. This will begin next week.
Virtual Parent/Teacher Meetings Feb 14th- – 18th Feb Microsoft Teams Student Accounts
Each teacher will make themselves available for 3-4 days over the week. The booking times which will be available on Compass will be opened up for inputting requests by the end of tomorrow and an information leaflet sent home on Monday. These meetings will occur using Microsoft Teams.
Fortnightly Parent Compass Communications from Teachers
Please make sure that you have access to the Compass Portal as your child’s teacher will keep you up to date with what is happening or going to happen in your child’s class through a fortnightly communique.
Canteen
Our Canteen has already had it's first day of delicious lunches. We will be beginning Recess counter sales again starting next week but these can only be accessed by cohorts on specific days at specific times (Wed – 11:30am: 3/4,11:45am: 5/6 and Friday 11:30am – K-2).
A reminder that if you child is sick on the day and they have a lunch order, please contact the school and cancel your order by 9:30am. Unfortunately after this time items will already be in the process of being made or heated and your order cannot be refunded.
A letter has gone home today asking for volunteers for the Canteen. Please look to see if you can assist, especially on a Friday. Anyone who works in the Canteen must be double vaccinated and hold a current WWVP card.
Medication at School and Medical Plans
If your child requires medication for 2022 you will need to fill out the school's Medication Administration and Indemnity Forms. These need to be completed every year for any students who need medication or the possibility of medication being administered.
Next week Mrs Simpson will send home our form for any child who currently receives medication or to any family who is requesting medicine to be administered for the first time.
If your child is on a medical plan (eg. Asthma Plan) please make sure that the school has an up to date copy of this plan.
School Counselling – Resilience Program
Kate Worthington, our school counsellor is looking to initiate some group sessions based around resilience, making and keeping friends and working with others. She may get in contact with parents to discuss whether your child may benefit from this program.
If your child needs counselling over an issue that is causing them stress, anxiety or worry, please contact the school and we can organise this to occur.
Bell Times and Late Arrival
The bell times have changed slightly throughout the day. Our start time however, is still 9am and our finish time is still 3:10pm. The 8:55am bell that rings in the morning is to give children time to go to the bathroom and line up and give teachers extra time to get outside to pick up their class.
Our school gate needs to be closed at 9am by the morning duty teacher. If you are running late you will need to take your child through the Front Office.
These protocols are for the safety of our students.
God bless you and your families
Peter Rodda
Principal