Dear Parents

Thanks to all families for your cooperation with remote learning.  It is unfortunate that we are again in a lockdown and we are very much aware that this is a difficult time for families. If you need any help or support please do not hesitate to contact the school.  

Remote Schooling will continue until Tuesday 27 July 2021 (inclusive). Schools will be closed during this time, but will stay open for students in the following categories:

• Students of parents, guardians or carers considered an essential worker who cannot work from home.
• Where there are two parents, guardians or carers, both must be essential workers, working outside the home.
• For single parents, guardians or carers, the essential worker must be working outside the home.

Vulnerable students including:

• Children in out-of-home care.
• Children deemed by Child Protection and/or Family Services to be at risk of harm children identified by the school as vulnerable (including via referral from a family violence agency, homelessness or youth justice service or mental health or other health service).
• Children with a disability who cannot learn from home due to vulnerability or family stress.

We will be in contact with parents asap as soon as the situation changes. 

Reports / Family Learning Conversations

We made the decision last week to postpone Family Learning Conversations until next week in the hope that lockdown would be completed, however, this will not be the case on Tuesday.  The FLC”S will proceed and are now next Tuesday, the 27^th and next Wednesday, the 28^th. 

Due to the restrictions the FLC’s will be conducted as a Google Meet, however, parents will still be required to book a time using the following booking information; Log on to schoolinterviews.com.au ( Link ) and use code j9fyd.

Reports were distributed to families on the last day of Term Two. I hope that you have taken the time to read these reports as they will be discussed further at the Family Learning Conversations.   It is essential that you take the time to attend these meetings as strong lines of communication between home and school are important for your child’s development.

Grade 5 Camp

On advice from DOSCEL the Grade 5 Camp will be postponed.  We will update parents as soon as we know the details of where and when.  The Parent Information Meeting that was to be held tonight has been postponed until further notice.

2022 Enrolments

If you know of anyone looking to enrol their child at St Pat’s for 2022 please encourage them to contact the school Office on 5943-9000.

Sacraments / Confirmation Parent Workshop – Tonight 7.00pm

We will confirm Sacrament dates with families once restrictions have eased and the parish is aware of what is happening. 

The Confirmation Parent Workshop with Fr Elio Capra will be held via zoom, tonight at 7.00pm.  Parents of candidates need to attend, please use the following link.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://divinity.zoom.us/j/83793961384?pwd=Uk9pN0loRFBFTyt1bUw4akZaZjRjdz09

The following COVID Restrictions remain in place when anyone visits the school site;

I remind parents that the following procedures are in place for the safety of all;

• Masks are required to be worn by parents at all times when in the school.
• Parents wishing to come into the grounds to drop off or collect their children must scan the QR code on the way in and wait out the front of the classroom. Please do not enter the rooms and social distance whilst waiting.  You must limit your visit to less than 15 minutes, gates open at 3pm at the end of the day.
• Parents waiting for children in the pick-up lines need to ensure that their children know which carpark to go to.
• If you do park your car you must walk over and collect your child. Please do not call for your children to walk across to your car unaccompanied. 
• Meetings with staff are by appointment only. Any parent that is going to be in the school for more than 15 minutes needs to sign on and complete the COVID form at the Office.
• Please communicate with staff via phone or email.
• The Office is open if required, however, please wear a mask and observe the density limits (maximum of 6 people). It is preferable to phone or email if possible rather than come to the Office.
• All extra cleaning and hand hygiene that was in place is still being adhered to.
• Please do not send food items to share with others when it is your child’s birthday as they cannot be handed out.
• If your child is sick, or displaying symptoms, please keep them at home. Children that present as sick or displaying symptoms at school will be sent home and asked to gain a medical clearance or negative COVID test before they return to school.
• Bubble taps are operational at school.
• An ample amount of sports equipment will be provided at school so we ask that students do not bring equipment from home.

Important Dates for Your Diary

Tuesday 27^th / Wednesday 28^th July – Family Learning Conversations

Wednesday 4^th Thursday 5^th Friday 6^th August – Grade 5 Camp Sovereign Hill Ballarat - postponed

Regards,

 Simon