Dear Parents,

I hope that all families remain safe and well and are coping well with Remote Learning.  Once again, I stress that at school we are here to help and we want to work together with you.  Please remain in close contact with your classroom teacher.

2021 Foundation (Prep) Enrolments

We are now taking 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.

Learning Pack Collection

Thanks to all families for your cooperation with the Learning Pack collection today.  These packs are for week beginning Monday the 3^rd of August and Monday the 10^th of August.  Our next pack collection will be on Thursday the 13^th of August at 10.00-11.00am and 4.00-5.00pm.

A big thanks to all of the staff for their efforts preparing and distributing the Learning Packs.  It is very much appreciated.

Family Learning Conversations (FLC) / Parent Support Group (PSG) Meetings

Your teacher will contact you in the next few days regarding arranging a time over the next week to have a phone Family Learning Conversation (PTI) with them.  This will take the form of a longer conversation than the weekly contact that happens during Remote Learning, however, we ask you to remain cognizant of the fact that it has been a very different year due COVID-19.

If you are a family that has a special needs child and has a Parent Support Group Meeting (PSG) you will be contacted to make arrangements for a PSG Meeting.  For these families we will be able to combine the PSG and FLC meetings.

New Website

Our new website is up and running www.stppakenham.catholic.edu.au I encourage you to have a look.  If you know of prospective families wanting to attend St Pat’s you can direct them to this website.

Remote Learning Procedures

Below are the major points regarding what we are implementing;

• We are governed under the direction of the State Government which states that if a child can learn from home they must learn from home. We are expecting that the vast majority of our children will continue to learn remotely.
• Teachers will communicate with all families at least once per week. Parents are welcome to contact teachers electronically at any time during the hours of 8.30am-4.00pm.  All staff emails are listed in the Remote Learning Handbook that has previously been emailed to parents. Classroom enquiries are to be emailed to the teachers.
• The Office will not be physically open, please call 5943-9000 or email enquiries to office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au and a member of the Office staff will get back to you.
• The students will be participating in video’s and Google Meets with the teachers. Your child’s classroom teacher will contact you weekly to inform when your meetings are scheduled.
• Learning Packs were distributed to all families today and the next set of packs will be distributed on Thursday the 13^th of August between 10.00-11.00am and 4.00-5.00pm. Again it will be a drive through format. A reminder that all work is also provided electronically.
• After receiving feedback from parents during the last remote period regarding submitted work tasks we are asking that families submit up to three tasks per week that the children are proud of. It is not an assessment task. This can be as simple as taking a photo of the work and emailing it in. 
• All camps and excursions are cancelled for Term Three and we are still awaiting advice regarding the Sacramental Program.

For the very few children that will be attending school the following procedures are in place;

• If you are one of the few families that fit the criteria to allow your child to be onsite during this period, parents or caregivers cannot work from home, students with additional needs or vulnerable students then, you must complete the Intention Form sent out each week regarding your child’s attendance. The form will be sent out this afternoon and needs to be returned by 2.00pm tomorrow, the 31^st.
• All children attending the site will be temperature checked upon arrival and will need to be picked up if they are reading 37.5 and above.
• Children that are sick in any way must stay at home.
• As Victoria is experiencing significant community transmission of COVID-19, all parents, guardians, carers and students who are feeling unwell and displaying symptoms are encouraged to get tested.  DOSCEL has requested us to advise parents that all children of the parent, guardian or carer who has been tested should remain absent from school until the parent, carer or guardian receives a negative result.  
• Children who are tested for COVID must remain at home until they receive a negative result. 
• Children need to wear full school uniform and bring snack and lunch as usual.
• Every child must have their own drink bottle, bubble taps are switched off.
• The learning pack sent home must come into the school as the work they will be completing at school is exactly the same as they would be doing remotely.
• Pick up and drop off is from the Church car park only and parents are not to leave their cars.
• Children can attend from 8.45am – 3.10pm.
• The school will be running a skeleton staff so your child will not be supervised by their normal classroom teacher.
• Staff will be wearing masks and PPE at certain times when it is appropriate.
• OSCHC will be running as per last term.

Fees

Please contact Fil at the Office if your family circumstances have changed for a confidential discussion regarding your fees.

Regards,

Simon

The Department of Education and Training (DET) have new resources to help parents and teachers to support the mental health and wellbeing of students. 

New DET resources for parents and carers include:

Managing Screen Time, Health and Wellbeing
 

The DET and Melbourne Football Club have developed a new series of wellbeing videos.
Featuring both AFL and AFLW players, the videos provide students with tips on resilience, managing stress and anxiety, gratitude and staying active.

Wellbeing Videos

Please use the links below for other resources.

Beyond Blue

Reach Out

Headspace

Be You

Friday 31st July is the day Schools celebrate National Tree Day!

This day also marks one year since the tree was planted in memory of Loren Failla, a teacher at our school who passed away suddenly. 

Below is a photo of the tree today! 

Please remember her in your prayers.

Please fill in the attached form if you require your child/ren to attend school next week.  Please note this form must be filled in every week and returned by 2pm the Friday before.