Filter Content
Message - Deputy Principal ( Inclusive Education)
Dear Parents,
As we begin to welcome back our students as whole cohorts to onsite learning (what a lovely sentence to write), we need to consider a number of factors.
While it is exciting to begin the process of returning to school, our children will be feeling a wide variety of emotions. There will be joy, anticipation, excitement but also worry, nervousness and uncertainty. For some of our children, it has been many months since they have walked through the front gates and seen their teachers and friends face to face.
For some of our students who have been on site, they have worked with many different teachers and peers. It will look different for them as more students return to school and the faces change again. They may have forgotten their friend’s names, how they interacted together and if their friends still want to play with them. While these may seem small worries to us as adults, they are big worries to our children.
The Australian Psychological Society has put out an article with suggestions of how we can make transitioning back to onsite learning as successful as possible for our children and our families.
Many parents had conversations with their children about the importance of learning from home to keep them healthy and safe. Some children may now worry about the safety of returning to school.
To help our children feel safe, have a conversation with them explaining that:
- the decision to return to school is based on medical advice
- everyone at school is working hard to make sure that children are safe
- anyone who is unwell will stay at home
- the government is keeping an eye on things – if it starts to be unsafe, decisions about what to do will be made
- reassure your child that it is normal to have mixed emotions such as excitement, relief, worry and anger
- discuss what they are looking forward to and what they are worrying about
- reinforce good hygiene practices
As important as it is to prepare our children to return to school, it is just as important to give our children a chance to talk about their day when they arrive home. After school talk about the day including what they enjoyed, what they felt worried about and what they are looking forward to tomorrow. Schedule extra family time as your child is likely to have missed being at home with you. They will also most likely be tired so ensure some quite activities are in place for them to recharge.
Another factor to consider is the staggered return to school for siblings. Younger children returning to school earlier than other family members may feel disappointed that their siblings are continuing with remote learning or may feel disconnected from the family.
You can help your child by:
- reassuring them that is ok to feel disappointed
- explaining that all children will be returning to school soon
- allowing your child to pick a fun activity to complete when they get home from school so that they have something to look forward to
- avoid scheduling any ‘fun’ activities with other family members or friends whilst your child is at school.
We look forward to seeing everyone back on site soon. Take care and God bless
Kindest regards,
Jen Gulavin
Deputy Principal. Inclusive Education.
Further tips can be found on the link below.
Return to School Timeline
The following is a timeline of when students will be returning to school
Week 3
Monday 18th Oct - Preps only
Tuesday 19th Oct - Preps only
Wednesday 20th Oct - Preps only
Thursday 21st Oct - Years 1/2 only
Friday 22nd Oct - Years 1/2 only
Week 4
Monday 25th Oct - Preps only
Tuesday 26th Oct - Preps and Years 3/4
Wednesday 27th Oct -Preps and Years 3/4
Thursday 28th Oct - Years 1/2 and Years 5/6
Friday 29th Oct - Years 1/2 and Years 5/6
Week 5
Monday 1st Nov - School Closure Day
Tuesday 2nd Nov - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Wednesday 3rd Nov --Preps and Years 3/4
Thursday 4th Nov - Years 1/2 and Years 5/6
Friday 5th Nov - ALL STUDENTS ATTEND SCHOOL ONSITE
When students are not attending school onsite , they will continue with Remote Learning.
Supervision for vulnerable children and essential workers will continue to be offered onsite when required.
The Victorian Chief Health Officer has expanded the mandatory use of Face masks indoor to limit the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) within the population of school settings
Gr 3-6
Face masks are required for students in Grade 3-6, only when indoors on school premises. We ask that children bring their own mask to school each day.
Foundation – Gr 2
Whilst masks are not required, it is strongly recommended that students in Foundation to Grade 2 wear a mask indoors at school.
If your child is unable to wear a mask for any reason we ask you to please contact your child’s teacher or the Principal so that we can understand any additional support that may be required for your child.
First Communion – Term 4 program for Year 4s
This week, we kicked off the First Communion program with the Information Night sessions for parents on Tuesday and Wednesday night.
I’m very grateful of the time and effort this requires, given that many people are weary of screen time right now. We are still uncertain of the ceremony dates of course, but the Sacramental Team are staying true to the preparation for this important sacrament. Being ready is our mantra right now and something that we can control.
Socktober
Keep in mind the enriching Catholic Social Teaching work that is happening right now for our students. We are channelling our learning into the Mission work of Socktober. Be sure to ask them about Socktober and what it means to them. It’s so important that our children know why we support charity work such as this.
If you are able to donate to this cause, please go to https://www.socktober.org.au/fundraisers/stthomastheapostleps
Weekly Parish Mass
Parish Mass can be viewed every Sunday via the following link.
Please click on the facebook link to stream mass
Dear Parents
As the roadmap to reopening begins to allow levels of students to return onsite to school, I would like to remind you that some of our pick up options have changed.
Please refer to the attached car diagram
Car
There will be a single car pick up lane - the one closest to the school office. Teachers will come to find out which students and send a message to the teacher calling students. Can you please have a sign with your child's name so that the name can be easily read by the teacher .
Children will sit in the flagpole area , in the event the weather is bad they will be undercover.
Walk/Park and pick up
We are now able to offer parking in the carpark bays close to Fiorelli street. You can enter via Gate 1 closest to Ferrari Drive (with the car linepick up cars) then turn right into the carpark and find a bay. Parents can then walk to the crossing near the basketball courts.
Parents sadly cannot come on site with current restrictions. Therefore a teacher will be waiting on the island at the end of the car park bays (near crossing) to take the name of the child to be called to meet you at the gate. You will then cross and hopefully the child/ren will meet you quickly.
Please ensure you social distance from other parents and wear a mask.
Children will be seated between the flag pole and basketball court. In wet weather children will be inside the school building and will be called to come and meet you at the gate.
When our new basketball cover is completed (late November now) we will adjust the plan.
It is very important your child/ren know where to wait. Please tell them either CAR (for pick up in the car line) or WALK (for pick up via parent at the gate).
This will help their class teacher to have them in the right location for a smooth pick up.
No pick up at McKillop Way until 5th November
Kind regards,
Kate
School Fee Statements
Fee Statements for Term 4 have been emailed today and due date for balance of fees is 12th Nov. If you are experiencing difficulties please contact us regarding fee assistance.
Kind regards
Nicola Saunders
School Fee Concession
Dear Families
Many in our school community continue to face financial impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are committed to supporting families experiencing financial challenges through our School Fee Concession programs, and encourage any parent/carer/guardian experiencing difficulties to contact us regarding fee assistance.
Please contact Nicola Saunders on finance@cranbourneeast.catholic.edu.au to explore confidential financial support arrangements or to obtain further information.
Thank you
Nicola Saunders
Administration Officer
Dear Families,
I would like to introduce one of our newer staff members to the school community.
Brennan Burke - Education Support Officer
eSmart - Free Online Safety Webinars
St Thomas the Apostle is an accredited ‘eSmart’ school. This is a great thing for your children enrolled at our school, great for the teachers and also great for parents.
Being accredited, we have access to a wonderful set of quality resources. One of the benefits is the free webinars on offer for parents.
There are two webinars coming up in the not too distant future…
- Tuesday, 26th October
- Wednesday, 27th October
October | |
Monday 18th | Preps return to school onsite |
Tuesday 19th | Preps return to school onsite |
Wednesday 20th | Preps return to school onsite |
Thursday 21st | Years 1/2 only return to school onsite |
Friday 22nd | Years 1/2 only return to school onsite |
Monday 25th - Friday 29th | Family Week |
Monday 25th Oct
|
Preps only onsite |
Tuesday 26th Oct | Preps and Years 3/4 onsite |
Wednesday 27th Oct | Preps and Years 3/4 onsite |
Thursday 28th Oct | Years 1/2 and Years 5/6 onsite |
Friday 29th Oct | Years 1/2 and Years 5/6 onsite |
November | |
Monday 1st | School Closure Day |
Tuesday 2nd | Melbourne Cup Holiday |
Wednesday 3rd Nov
|
Preps and Years 3/4 onsite |
Thursday 4th Nov
|
Years 1/2 and Years 5/6 onsiye |
Friday 5th |
All students are expected to return to onsite learning Monday to Friday. |
December | |
Tuesday 14th | Last Day of School Term 2021 |
Wednesday 15th | School Closure Day |