Dear Parents,

It has been a very challenging week for all of us at St Patrick’s as COVID impacted our community.  The decision to close the school was taken after receiving advice from our governing body DOSCEL.  The decision was not taken lightly, however, it was made to ensure the health and safety of all of our students and staff.  Remote Learning for all students will continue until the end of this week.

School will resume for the majority of our students on Monday the 8^th of November with the exception of grades 1MT, 2V and the other students that have been affected because they were onsite last week as the children of essential workers.  Again, I stress that if you have not been contacted directly by the school then you are not deemed to be a close contact.  Details of the Remote Learning program and Google Meets will be forwarded to parents of these children tomorrow (Friday).   Grades 1MT and 2V will return to onsite face to face learning on Friday the 12^th of November.

I thank everyone for your understanding. I am sure that you would appreciate this was an unforeseen set of circumstances.  The situation continues to evolve so we ask that all parents please keep abreast of all emails. It can change rapidly.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank the staff who again adjusted quickly to the changed circumstances to ensure that the children’s learning continued in a remote format.  Their flexibility, and willingness to do whatever is required, is appreciated.

Please keep all of the community in your prayers this week, particularly the families that have been affected by the virus.   We have contacted these families and they are coping ok at the moment given the stressful circumstances.  With all things considered at this stage they remain in relatively good health.

Please watch for symptoms within your children and get them tested if necessary.  If your child does return a positive result we ask that you contact the school asap.

Camps

We have been advised that because Victoria is beyond the 80% vaccinated range camps are able to proceed with COVID safe procedures and plans in place.  This is wonderful for the students who missed the opportunity last year.   The Grade 5 Camp Parent Information Night is this evening at 6.00pm via Google Meet (your teachers will send you the link) and the Grade 6 Parent Information Night is Monday 8th November at 5pm.  

Grade 5 Camp – 10^th – 12^th November - Kryal Castle 121 Forbes Rd, Leigh Creek

Grade 6 Camp – 15^th – 19^th November - Lady Northcote Recreation Camp 1273 Glenmore Rd, Glenmore

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

Uniforms

We understand that as students return for the last few weeks of the school uniforms may not fit as well as hoped and it is difficult to purchase uniforms at the moment.  We ask that parents are very respectful of our uniform policy and that students wear the uniform with pride, however, we understand that there may be some items that cannot be purchased.

Sacraments

New Sacrament dates are being finalised by the Sacramental Team tomorrow.   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

Hats

Please remember that as we enter Term 4 it is compulsory for the students to be wearing hats when outside.

The following COVID Restrictions remain in place when all children return onsite next week;

• 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.
• We are hoping that with three entry points to the school we can avoid the need to engage staggered pick up times. We will monitor how the traffic flows next week. Both carparks will be open for drop off and pick up.
• 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.
• Please communicate with staff via phone or email.
• The Office will be open next week, however, if it is not essential please contact via 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.

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