Dear Parents,

It is wonderful that life is starting to return to a somewhat normal existence for us in Metropolitan Melbourne as we slowly move out of the COVID lockdown.  Whilst the challenge of lockdown was enormous in all sorts of ways, one thing that it did gift us was extra time with our children.

As we gradually return to what we used to enjoy everyday without giving it a second thought, it is inevitable that our very busy routines will also gradually return.  For our children it is essential that amongst the busyness of life we still find time to just be with them.  The gift of time is much more important than any material gift we could ever give them.

Online Assemblies

Commencing next Friday, the 6^th November, assemblies will commence again in the afternoon, however, they will be online.  Students will join from their classroom space with their teacher.   Parents will be most welcome to join us (on mute please!).  The Grade 6 Leaders will be running these assemblies and they will forward the link and exact start time to families next week.

COVID Procedures

I remind parents that as of yesterday we are no longer required to temperature test the children when they enter the school grounds, however, the following COVID safe procedures 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.  
• If you are running late for whatever reason please park in the service road at the front of the school and call the Office from the front gate. Admin staff will then come out and meet your child and take them to their classroom.
• There will be no before school play and students will go straight to their classrooms.
• Birthdays – we are very happy to acknowledge and celebrate your child’s birthday with them in the classroom. However, due to COVID, children cannot bring chocolate, lollies etc. to share with others for their birthday.
• The children are not to bring sports equipment from home. It will be provided at school and sanitized regularly.
• Promoting age-appropriate hygiene practices for all students.
• Every child must have their own drink bottle, bubble taps are switched off.
• 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

Due to COVID, we will remain flexible with the student school uniform until the end of the year if the children have a written letter from their parents. However, we will expect that in 2021 school uniform rules are fully adhered to.

Staffing Updates

Jemma Kerr has accepted a position at Trinity Primary School, Narre Warren South, commencing in 2021.  We thank Jemma for everything she has done at St Patrick’s over the last 5 years and we wish her all the very best for the future. 

2021 Foundation (Prep) Enrolments

As mentioned last week the guidelines that we have to adhere to have changed for schools in the Cardinia Shire regarding Foundation Transition.  Because of this we have organised new transition dates for later in the term that will hopefully be able to go ahead.  The new dates for the transition are as follows;

• Wednesday 2^nd December – 9.30-11.30am
• Thursday 10^th December – 9.30 – 11.30am

We apologies to affected families for this inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. This unanticipated change was beyond our control.  

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.

Noone (school uniform clothing company) have informed us that they are open for Foundation student fittings.  All enrolled families should have received an email from the School Office outlining how to book.

End of Year Arrangements

As mentioned last week our end of year celebrations and procedures are still being finalised on account of the fact that we don’t know yet what restrictions will be in place.  As things become clearer over the next few weeks we will inform parents of what will be occurring.

As mentioned last week this year all of the children will participate in a Christmas art activity towards the end of the year that will be kept as a gift from the school.  Creating the gifts in this way ensures that there will be consistency across the school in regards to what the children are given at the end of the year.

Camps and Excursions

Unfortunately, due to COVID, camps and excursions are cancelled again for Term Four. Many of the events and activities that were planned for the year did not eventuate.  Fil will be contacting families over the next few weeks regarding levies that have been paid and whether families would like a refund or credit.

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.

Melbourne Cup Weekend  

A reminder that there is no school on Monday the 2^nd (Report Writing Day) and Tuesday the 3^rd (Cup Day Public Holiday) as it is the Melbourne Cup.

Regards,

Simon

If any families are struggling at this time and would like to reach out for a chat or support please contact Meg Escalante, our Wellbeing officer, via email on mescalante@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au.  You can also see the leaflet below from the Be You website which has contact numbers for you to call. 

Fact Sheets are accessible through the following seven themes:

The children in Prep NC enjoyed sitting quietly in the Japanese garden listening to a story!

Have you installed the new SZapp?   

Dont forget, Skoolbag will no longer be used after the 30th October!

 Follow the installation guide below to install the new app on your smart devices.  

By now you would of realised that Care Monkey has changed there name to Operoo so all the correspondance you would have recived from the Care Monkey Administrator is now Operoo Administrator.   When you log in to Care Monkey you will be redirected to the Operoo webpage but please update your bookmarks and links as soon as you can.   The way the program looks and the way you use it hasn't changed.  

Please remember to update any details in Operoo, for example change of address or phone number,  this will send us a message that your details have changed and we are then able to update our database.

Don't forget to upload your childs hayfever managment plans including symptoms specific to your child!

Melbourne Metropolitan Stores open from 9am Wednesday 28 October 2020.  We look forward to welcoming you in-store.

Beaconsfield Store

Beaconsfield Hub - Shop 4 , 52-62 Old Princes Hwy ,

Beaconsfield Vic 3807

Contact Details

Phone: 03 9769 9093

Fax: 03 9769 5345

Email: beaconsfield@noone.com.au

Trading Hours

Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Saturday 9.00am - 1.00pm
Closed Sunday & Public Holidays

Click here for online shop