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The view from Kingston Beach taken by Damien, my mechanic. As I dropped my daughter's car off, we spoke for 10 minutes about what a wonderful morning it was. He told me about the photo he had of an early morning walk he had taken. I mentioned I’d woken up early to see it from my veranda.
Look for something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look a bit harder (or wake up a bit earlier)
AFFIRMATIONS
To the staff of St Aloysius Catholic College. As we met as an Executive on Thursday before the term began to plan for Term 2, one thing struck me more than anything: the collaborative nature of all our staff.
At a time when the stress of the situation could see us all “go our own way” and act as individuals, the staff that look after your children that you love so much did the opposite. As I walked around both campuses in the last two weeks of Term 1 I saw staff working together in good humour, getting on with the job at hand. I have thanked the staff for this.
Term 2, 2020, will be like no other in my 32 years of teaching, but St Aloysius Catholic College will be served well by the quality staff we have.
COVID-19
Each Friday the College Executive team meet to discuss where the College is at. As a result of these meetings I will be sending out information to families each Friday to keep all up to date of the operational decisions we make.
Based on this information the Executive team had at hand at the start of the term we created the following framework to order our thinking:
Controlled Variables |
Uncontrolled Variables |
Mitigation Strategies |
Learning @ Home is the pedagogy we will be using in Term Two. |
The Learning @ Home needs of families and staff. |
For families we have helped with
For staff we have
|
Our college will remain open to families who cannot support or supervise their children learning at home. |
How many students exactly come to school each day. |
We have the Learning@Home framework for students to access their work either at home or at school.
Campus Leadership Teams will assess the need each week and each day and respond to it. |
We will continue to exercise the hygiene and self distancing requirements communicated to us from CET. |
Responding to an outbreak at SACC. |
Continue the self distancing and hygiene practices as directed at both sites.
We ask all staff and students to follow any health advice they are given and to stay home if they are sick.
We use SchoolStream for families and the bulletins for staff to be the points of information. |
We will continue to “refine, adapt and develop” our arrangements as the term unfolds. |
(Meet as an Executive each Friday morning to discuss arrangements) |
Based on direction from CET the Executive the College Executive will clarify our arrangements via SchoolStream for families and the bulletins for staff. |
A reminder that families are asked to advise of any student absences if not on site or learning@home via the normal channels i.e. email or phone.
Please keep in touch with college arrangements via SchoolStream and your child’s learning via Seesaw for Kingston Campus students and Fides for Huntingfield Campus students.
THERMOMETERS
Thanks to Catholic Education Tasmania we have four new “non-physical contact” thermometers at each of our Campus Offices. There is no requirement to measure temperatures of staff or students, but if you wish to have your child’s temperature taken when they are sent to the Front Office so it can inform your decision making to come and pick them up, this service is now open to you as guardians and parents.
PAYMENT OF FEES
With family members potentially under employed or unemployed during this health crisis, please click on the link below to view information regarding fee assistance.
2021 GRADE 7 ENROLMENTS
Any current families looking to enrol their child in Grade 7 for 2021 are asked to contact Coby Kinder on coby.kinder@catholic.tas.edu.au or 6229 0104.
Current Grade 6 students do not need to reapply.
ANZAC DAY
ANZAC Day was commemorated at the College with a short online liturgy led by our College Captains, Nicola Brcic and Harrison Henry. Click on the link below to view the liturgy.
FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL & SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER
Click on the link below to see this fortnight's tips for sustainable living at home
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Reach Out is a website for teenagers and parents of teenagers. As a parent, you can access free one on one support with a professional, self-help content and forums for supporting and managing concerns that may arise with your teenagers.
Below are just a few links to websites and contact details that may be of assistance to families.
- Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service
- Beyond Blue
- Black Dog Institute
- The RUOK Organisation
- Headspace
- Kids Helpline
- Parent Helpline – 1300 808 178
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
If you have any concerns please contact the College Counsellor Joanna Orchard joanna.orchard@catholic.tas.edu.au
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB
SCHOOL STREAM
A reminder to families of the importance of having School Stream downloaded on their devices to ensure they receive the important information that is being issued particularly during this challenging time .
Click on the link below for information on downloading and using School Stream -
STAY HEALTHY STAY CONNECTED
Grade 3 students Ava and Hughie have featured in the Tasmanian Government Stay Healthy Stay Connected Campaign showing how you can keep connected during this time of COVID-19. Click on the link to view the video.
THANK YOU
A big thank you to the families that organised lunch for our hard working staff at the end of last term. Your thoughtfulness and generosity was greatly appreciated.
UNIFORM SHOP
SOMETHING IN THE WATER...
A double congratulations to teachers, Mrs Melissa Nichols and Mrs Stevee Savill on the birth of twin boys.
Noah and Oscar Nichols arrived a little ahead of time on 19th February but are doing well.
Lachlan and Hugh Savill arrived on 27th April and by all reports are looking identical!
Grade 5 students were set a STEM challenge last week. They were asked to build a bridge that could hold 30 kgs using a variety of materials. These are just a few of the creations:
Kingston Campus students who have been attending the College have been participating in a PE circuit which includes skipping, sprints, jumping jacks and mountain climbers. The weather has certainly been kind so the students can enjoy the exercises in the sunshine.
ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDERS
In Term One, many students at our Kingston Campus made miniature bush shelters as part of their learning about Aboriginal histories and cultures. This Term while we are learning@home some students are either making their own bush shelters or keeping their eyes out for existing ones. Here are some photos sent in from Anika Enriquez, Hudson Crane, Steele and Starssi McLean, Hanna Synott, Fletcher Polley and Eli Coad.
Don't they all look amazing!
BRAVE THE SHAVE
Well done to Dilly Stott in Grade 8 who has braved the shave and shaved her head to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation and to donate her hair to make wigs for cancer patients. It’s not too late to sponsor Dilly and donations can be made at http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/dillystott.
Faith@Home
Please click on the attached link to access the Faith@Home newsletter which includes:
- Information on the Vinnies ‘pantry drive’ happening at both campuses this week. (Even if your child is learning@home donations can still be dropped off at either campus office.)
- Tried and tested faith and prayer resources.
- Tips for maintaining hope, peace and a sense of calm.
- Information on a very special and top secret Mother’s Day project!
- See the video of our fabulous staff performing Andrew Chinn’s ‘These Hand's” and how students can get involved in a similar production!
KINGBOROUGH HELPING HANDS
As the Kingston Campus biscuit drive has been suspended, staff at both campuses have been making weekly contributions to Kingborough Helping Hands for which Edna and her team have been most grateful. They have seen the need for assistance in the local community greatly increase in the last few months.
CARDS OF CARE
We are looking for ways to connect with our wider community and, after getting in touch with local care facilities, we are collecting letters and cards to distribute to those residents who are in isolation and feeling cut off from society in the midst of this pandemic. This is open to all staff, students from Kinder to Grade 10, and their families. Why not sit down as a family and write a few cards to help brighten the day of those feeling lonely or disconnected. You can write in a pre-purchased card or draw, paint or make your own. Maybe include a poem, a drawing or a few words about how you are staying positive in the midst of change and uncertainty? A couple of lines about what you are thinking, feeling and doing is enough to make a meaningful connection with those who need it most. Many residents are from an era where letter writing was the norm for much of their social interaction and so receiving mail can help support the memory of times when they were younger. Letters can be handed in to either campus office or emailed to james.wright@catholic.tas.edu.au or pauline.marriott@catholic.tas.edu.au
THE SALVATION ARMY RED SHIELD APPEAL
At this time of year, volunteers would usually be out knocking on doors or raising crucial funds at local shopping centres for the Red Shield Appeal. This year, they need to do things differently and so the Appeal has moved to a digital platform.
The Salvation Army has asked the community of St Aloysius to support them and help them to raise the funds that enable the social programmes, such as support to families in crisis and homelessness services. Please help them by getting involved in their Digital Door knock. The link can be found below.
We are happy to share some relevant parenting topics in each newsletter for parents and families to watch, read and reflect.
SCHOOLTV - SPECIAL REPORT:
Wellbeing - Checklist for Primary
Whilst most children are resilient and seem to be demonstrating a remarkable capacity to manage during this challenging time, others are not faring as well. Some are experiencing a variety of emotions ranging from fear to anxiety, all of which are considered normal or natural responses to this current situation.
However, despite this, it is still important for adult carers to remain vigilant for any signs of unusual distress or behaviour, even though your child may not have any prior history of a mental health disorder.
It was estimated that one in seven Australian children experienced a mental health issue before the Coronavirus pandemic. Therefore early intervention, diagnosis and treatment is even more important now. In the current climate, one useful thing you can do is help your child focus on the things that they can control –– such as their learning, diet, exercise and sleep.
In this Special Report, adult carers will be provided with a checklist that can be used a guide in determining if there is any cause for concern. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the College for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report:
Wellbeing - Checklist for Secondary
The global pandemic is having a profound impact on our adolescents with many being forced to miss out on so many rites of passage. Some are becoming more anxious or depressed which is completely understandable given the current situation. However, should your teen display any unusual behaviour that lasts for more than 2-3 weeks, it may be a cause for concern.
Research shows there are specific risk factors that increase the likelihood of teenagers developing a mental health problem. Some are set in stone, whilst others are modifiable. Adolescents are considered to be more at risk of anxiety and depression disorders which may affect their mood, thinking and behaviour. It can impact their ability to function and perform normal activities.
It is therefore vitally important for adult carers to remain vigilant during this time for any signs of distress, even though your adolescent may not have any prior history of a mental health disorder. Early intervention, diagnosis and treatment is more important than ever. In the current climate, one useful thing you can do is help your teen focus on the things that they can control –– such as their learning, diet, exercise and sleep.
In this Special Report, adult carers will be provided with a checklist that can be used a guide in determining if there is any cause for concern. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the College for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report:
GYC 2021 ENROLMENTS
KINGBOROUGH COUNCIL HOME MADE COMPETITION
Click on the link for more information Home Made Poster
KINGBOROUGH COUNCIL KEEPING CONNECTED
Click on the link for more information Keeping Connected
WHATS ONLINE - KINGSTON LIBRARY
Click on the link for more information What's Online May
HANDY LINKS - KINGSTON LIBRARY
Click on the link for more information Handy Links
CODER COLLEGE ONLINE COURSES
Click on the link for more information Term 2 Online Courses
PHOTO COMPETITION
Click on the link for more information Images of Isolation