Dear Parents,

It is wonderful that all students will be joining us on-site next week, as a staff we are excited about having the children back with us.  Well done and thanks to all families on the effort that you put in over the remote learning period, it has been very much appreciated.

From Monday 12 October 2020, all students in Foundation (Prep) to Grade 6 will return to on-site face to face classroom learning with the following health and safety measures continuing to remain in place:

• No child is to be dropped at school before 8.40am. Parents are not to park but rather use the drop off lane. 
• As per last term when we were on-site we have a staggered afternoon collection. Families with a surname beginning with A - K need to collect their children at 2.55pm. Families with the surname beginning with L - Z collect their children at 3.10pm.  Again: we ask that you do not park and if you place your surname inside the front window it assists us enormously to hasten up collection.  
• On arrival at school all students will be temperature checked.  If their temperature is 37.5 or above they will be tested again after 5 mins and if it is still 37.5 or above they will be sent home. 
• There will be no before school play and students will go straight to their classrooms.
• Promoting age-appropriate hygiene practices for all students.
• Every child must have their own drink bottle, bubble taps are switched off.
• Students need to bring their learning packs back with to school with them.
• Reminding all students to wash their hands with soap and water or when this is not possible, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser on arrival at school and regularly throughout the day.
• Reinforcing with students the following hygiene practices;
  • cough and/or sneeze into their elbows or a tissue,
  • place used tissues straight into the bin,
  • avoid touching eyes, noses or mouths,
  • not to share food or drink,
  • not to drink from water fountains or bubblers directly (they will be switched off).
• Extending school cleaning programs during the school day, including cleaning school playground equipment after use.
• Communication with teaching staff is via email, dojo or phone.
• The School Office is open by appointment only.
• Remote Learning work will not be provided for those parents that choose to keep their children at home.
• A critical aspect of the return to on-site learning will be a strict enforcement of the community requirements to maintain physical distancing especially at the start and finish of the school day.

For parents and guardians;

• Practise physical distancing and avoid long periods of time in close contact with other adults.
• Use the telephone, dojo or email to contact staff rather than visiting the school.
• Do not enter the school grounds.
• Adhere to the school’s pick and drop off requirements for students.
• Parents, guardians and carers will also be required to wear a face mask when attending the school, including when dropping off or picking up your child(ren) or if you are required to collect an unwell child(ren) from school, unless an exemption applies.
• If your child is experiencing signs or symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), they must not attend the school until their symptoms resolve and appropriate medical advice is obtained. This includes those showing even mild symptoms of COVID-19. Medical clearance confirmation needs to be emailed to the Office prior to return.
• The symptoms to watch out for are fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of sense of smell.

School Uniform

Term 4 at St Patrick's is summer uniform and don't forget your hats!  Applying sunscreen before your child arrives at school is also a good idea. 

Please be assured that we are aware of the fact that shops are closed and your child may have grown out of certain items of their school uniform.  If this is the case, students may wear an appropriate alternative, such as their sport's uniform for example, if they have a letter from their parents.  Please be reminded that Noone is still open for online orders, see the correspondance from Noone further in the newsletter along with a link to their online shop.

Hayfever

Spring is hayfever season, however this spring we are also dealing with Covid.  If your child does suffer hayfever please provide us with a certificate or letter from your doctor outlining hayfever symptoms specific to your child's allergy.   This will help us differenciate hayfever symptoms from COVID symptoms.  You may also provide us with your child's hayfever medication, however, all medication must be in original packaging clearly labled with your child's name and occpanied with a medication form and a messuring cup that will be for your child sole use.  You can ask for a medication form by emailing the school office on, office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au

2021 Foundation (Prep) Enrolments

We continue to take 2021 Foundation enrolments.  If you need enrolment forms, or know of someone else who does, can you please request them at office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au

Unfortunately during this pandemic we cannot take tours or hold large gatherings, however, we are holding meetings over the phone with those that inquire.

We enjoyed a successful online Prep Information Night on Tuesday night and we will be providing four transition dates for the children this year.  The dates and times are as follows;

• Monday 19^th October – 9.30-10.30am.
• Tuesday 27^th October – 9.30-10.30am.
• Wednesday 11^th November 9.30-11.00am.
• Thursday 19^th November – 9.30-11.30am.

2021 Planning

If parents have any genuine requests for grade selection next year that they please put that in writing and email it to principal@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au by tomorrow, Friday the 9^th of October. Requests forwarded after this date will not be considered. Please note that whilst this is a request, and it will be taken into consideration, it is not a guarantee.  

Who is teaching where next year has not been decided yet so please do not request teachers.  At St Pat’s we work collaboratively together to ensure that they same content is delivered at each level regardless of the teacher.

Please note that the children will have the opportunity in their grade to select four friends that they work well with and would like in their class next year.  They will then get at least one of these selections. There is no need for parents to email through these names.

Fees

Where a family holds a valid Health Care Card there is a concession applied to the school fee account. This year to qualify, the card had to be valid before 14th April, however, for this year only, this eligibility period has been extended until 5th October.

If you have recently become eligible for a Health Care Card, please contact Fil in the school office by email: fil@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au . You will need to provide a copy of your Health Care Card and fill in the attached CSEF Application that is included with this newsletter. 

Please also feel welcome to call Fil if your family circumstances have changed and you would like a confidential discussion regarding fees.

Regards,

Simon