Dear Parents,

It is wonderful that we finally commence the transition back to onsite learning next week with our Prep (Foundation) joining us on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and our Grades 1 & 2 on Thursday and Friday.  The rest of the school, Grades 3-6, transition back to onsite learning during the week beginning Monday the 25^th of October.  Again, I have included the table below for your information.

Please note that when your child’s year level returns to school there will not be a remote learning program operating at the same time. Essentially, we cannot teach two different programs at once. Therefore, when your child’s grade is scheduled to be onsite the expectation is that the children are at school.  If your child’s grade is not rostered on to be at school they will be remote learning at home, unless they are one of the very few children who meet the essential worker criteria to be onsite.

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

• Initially, to ensure the safety of children, parents will have to drop their children at the black gates (staff will be on duty) and cannot enter the school. As restrictions ease we hope that this requirement will as well.
• Student Masks – As per Government regulations all students in Grades 3-6 are required to wear a mask whilst indoors (unless you have an exemption). Masks are encouraged for students in Grades P-2.
• Adult Masks – Masks are required to be worn by parents at all times when in the school.
• Both carparks will be open for drop off and pick up as on Monday the 18^th of October.
• Please communicate with staff via phone or email.
• The Office is physically closed to all but essential visitors, however, contact can be made by phone 5943-9000 or email office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au  
• 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.
• 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.
• COVID Exposure Sites – We ask that families please keep abreast of the COVID Exposure Site list and follow the Government requirements. If you have been exposed and are required to quarantine please contact the school.
• 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.  It is our preference that they gain a medical clearance or negative COVID test before they return to school.

Remote Learning / Onsite Restrictions

If your child’s grade is not rostered on to be at school your child will be remote learning at home, unless they are one of the very few children who meet the following criteria to be onsite.  

• Children where both parents and or carers are considered authorised workers who cannot work from home, work for an authorised provider and where no other supervision arrangements can be made.
• Where there are two parents/carers, both must be authorised workers, working outside the home in order for their children to be eligible for on-site provision.
• For single parents/carers, the authorised worker must be working outside the home in order for their children to be eligible for on-site provision.
• Children experiencing vulnerability, including: in out-of-home care, deemed vulnerable by a government agency, funded family or family violence service, and assessed as requiring education and care outside the family home
• Identified by a school or early childhood service as vulnerable, (including via referral from a government agency, or funded family or family violence service, homeless or youth justice service or mental health or other health service)
• Where a parent/carer indicates that a student with a disability is vulnerable because they cannot learn from home, and/or informs the school the student is vulnerable due to family stress.

If you are one of the few families who meet the above criteria you must complete your Intention to Send Your Child(ren) to St Patrick’s Primary form that was distributed today by 2.00pm tomorrow (Friday 15^th), supported by your essential worker permit form. This will enable us to ensure that we have sufficient staff on duty to supervise students in attendance.

Classroom Google Meets operate between 9.30-11.30am and 1.00-2.00pm each day.  Once again, all work will be uploaded to Google Classroom.  If you have any questions about this, please contact your child(ren’s) classroom teacher.  We ask that parents remain within the vicinity of where their children are on the Google Meets and that parents please support their children to submit the required tasks for each learning area, including specialists.

Please note; due to the added children and staff onsite over the next couple of weeks Wednesdays will no longer remain as an allocated Specialist Day.  Your child’s grade will complete their specialist lessons when it fits within their timetable.  Wednesdays will still have Google Meets (when not onsite), but they will be facilitated by your child’s classroom teacher.

Sun Smart - Hats

Please remember to send a hat to school with your child for term 4.   Children without a hat will be sent to the shaded area during recess and lunch.

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 or email office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au

Sacraments

As mentioned last week the Parish is still awaiting the easing of restrictions before new dates can be organised for any of the Sacraments.   Noleen Chalmers (REL) will inform families of the new dates once they have been arranged.  If you have any questions please email Noleen noleen@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au

Reimbursement for Activities Not Undertaken / Fee Assistance

Currently we have rescheduled many activities that have been missed throughout the year for this term.  At this stage we remain hopeful that they will go ahead.  If they cannot proceed parents will be reimbursed the cost.  If you are experiencing difficulties due to the pandemic please contact Fil at the Office for a confidential discussion regarding fees.

Regards,

Simon