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WHERE ARE WE AT WITH COVID-19?
Last Wednesday, the Executive team met to discuss this question. As a result I sent out the following information to families on Thursday, 14th May via School Stream:
In essence the information was that all students Kinder - Grade 10, with the exception of those with chronic health / immune system conditions, are expected to return to the classroom and resume face to face learning on Monday, 25th May. The delivery of learning@home to students will cease on Thursday, 21 May 2020 with a Student Free Day on Friday, 22nd May.
A further piece of information was communicated by me on Tuesday, 19th May to families to reassure all that as a College we were following all the hygiene measures as dictated to by Catholic Education Tasmania. That information was the following:
More Campus specific information has been communicated on School Stream by our two Deputy Principals, Mrs Susan McGann and Ms Susanna Bond.
We look forward to seeing all students on Monday, 25th May 2020. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me, the Deputy Principals or the Front Office staff.
INFASTRUCTURE REDEVELOPMENTS AT THE KINGSTON CAMPUS
Two projects are on the way and another is drawing to a conclusion.
The extended car park for the Parish and College is now functioning. We just need to complete the lights that will illuminate the space at night and beautify the front of Jindabyne Road. Families will be happy to know that we are creating a path from the section next to Roslyn Avenue so that families parking there don’t need to walk on the road.
The next infrastructure project associated with this build was the redeveloping of the front of the campus along Roslyn Avenue. Plans are being drawn up and I’ll keep you posted to when work begins.
And, just because not enough work can happen at once, we are taking the opportunity to start works on a major drainage project in and at the back of the Kinder/Prep playground. As you know, it’s two years since we got flooded and this is extra work we are committed to doing to mitigate against potential flood damage in the future.
STATE GOVERNMENT REDEVELOPMENT OF HUNTINGFIELD
Below you can view the latest release from the State Government, via the Deputy Mayor’s Jo Westwood’s Facebook page.
At the College Board meeting this week it was decided to write a letter to families encouraging them to give their perspective. Stay tuned for a letter from our College Board Chair, Mr Jeremy Ayliffe.
GRADE 3-10 VIRTUAL CROSS COUNTRY
With our restricted lives being somewhat eased, it’s been fantastic to see students, staff and families take up the challenge from the HPE team and getting our steps up. Staff have been encouraged to wear their active wear this week to participate in the Cross Country with the students. Above was my suggestion to staff. I can’t understand why no one took it up!
Stay tuned for next fortnight's newsletter for the results.
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.
A MESSAGE FROM THE COUNSELLOR
As students prepare their return to school on 25th May , there may be a lot of mixed emotions in your house. As you support your children with this return, here are a few things to keep in mind.
FIRST DAY JITTERS
Coming back to school after an extended period away can, and for many kids, will provoke some nerves. Although this may feel very similar to the first day of a school year there are some big positives you can remind your kids about: they already know where to find their classroom, how hard the work will be, who their teacher is and who is in their class.
One of the best ways to calm first day jitters is to pick up a friend on the way to school. It’s much easier walking into the class with a friendly face beside you.
SEPARATION ANXIETY
We always expect that students may experience some separation anxiety when they return to school. The return to school after learning at home is not the same as a new year in that many children have spent weeks at home with their parents. You might find that your kids who have never been worried about separating from you find this a hard day. It is okay for them to feel this way and they will be okay.
AVOIDING REASURRANCE
Reassuring your child when they talk about worries seems the most natural response, you can make them feel better with only a few words! Unfortunately, in the long run, this isn’t always the most helpful response. As a parent you can’t always be there with your child and you want them to be able to comfort themselves in those moments.
When you notice your child worrying one of the best things you can do is allow them to soothe themselves by asking questions which focus on the truth of what might happen, not just the thing they are worried about. For example: What do you think will happen when you get to school? What happened on the mornings before you worked from home? Have you ever felt worried at school before? What did you do? And how were you okay? You’ve been away from mum and dad before, what made you feel better then?
GET BACK INTO A HEALTHY SLEEP ROUTINE
We know that, especially for those teenagers in your life, late nights and sleep ins have become the norm for many. Its important to start getting back into a normal routine in order to make returning that much easier. If your teenager is spending their nights on their phones, consider leaving all phones and devices in the lounge room after an agreed upon time.
FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE
Your child has managed to work (somewhat) independently for weeks. That is a HUGE achievement. Remind them that they have done a great job and you are proud of them.
Also, don’t hesitate to give yourselves a pat on the back at the same time!
If you are worried about the return to school, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s homeroom teacher. You can also contact the College Counsellor at
Joanna.orchard@catholic.tas.edu.au
For more ideas and support you can check out the following resources:
EXPLORERS ONLINE ADVENTURES
The College SETUP for Success Birth to 5 year old's program "Explorers" has been operating online since mid March. We have been doing our best to continue to support the Explorer's children in their development, finding activities to help during isolation, and providing ideas for how parents can engage and support their child. We have enjoyed seeing how our online communication has enabled families to keep connected with each other and to continue building relationships.
Each week, our Explorers families can access reading of stories recorded by Mrs Reece, Mrs Boon and her children Harry and Elsie, or Grade 10 Child Care students. Activities are shared that connect to the stories or their theme, along with details of the learning opportunities they provide for children. We have been doing weekly Zoom Music and Movement sessions, which have been a fabulous way to catch up for some fun action songs, and to get to see each other through the gallery view.
The activities and Zoom sessions are being uploaded to our Explorers closed Facebook group (for attendees and future attendees only) and our new Explorers online site. If families with children aged 0-5 yrs old, are interested in accessing these online activities, please email Mrs Reece (andrea.reece@catholic.tas.
Here are some photos of some of our Explorers children sharing the activities they have done and some activity ideas they have shared with our group. You can also hear an incredibly creative reading of the Charlie and Lola story "But Where Completely Are We", by Lauren Child; made into an iMovie and narrated by Harry Boon, and acted by Harry and Elsie Boon (such a talented pair). After sharing this book we asked our Explorers if they have ever camped in their backyard or even made an indoor camp? We shared some inspiration for making sheet tents inside and outside, to hopefully help provide a fun adventure during a period of restricted activities.
GUILFORD YOUNG COLLEGE TRANSITION
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions GYC staff are unable to attend the Huntingfield Campus to discuss transition with Grade 10 students.
They have created the following videos for students and families to view-
If you have any questions around enrolment - fees, uniform etc. please contact Bernadette Pogorzelski at GYC on 6238 4312 or enrolments@gyc.tas.edu.au
IMPORTANT DATES
KINGSTON CAMPUS CAR PARK
- Students to alight from the car on the left-hand side only onto the footpath.
- Parents need to remain in the car. Students who use the Drop & Go zone must be capable of getting in and out of the car by themselves, including putting on their seat belt. If they are not able to do so parents will need to park in a designated car park space and assist them as they currently do.
- School bags should be in the car and not retrieved from the boot. These need to be in the car with the student so that students do not have to go behind or in between cars.
- Teardrop flags will clearly mark the allocated Drop & Go zone. Students are not to enter or leave cars which are waiting in line to use the zone - please be patient and wait until you are safely parked in the zone.
- Please ensure you have your handbrake on once you have pulled into and stopped.
- Staff supervision will be present at the start and end of each day.
- When in the drop and go zone please drive to the front to allow for cars coming in and out to flow smoothly.
- The car park is a shared car and pedestrian zone and has a speed limit of 5 km/ph. Please adhere to this speed limit at all times for the safety of all users.
SUSTAINABILITY AT HOME
In the theme of all things @ home during these times please see this fortnight's Sustainability @ Home update from the Environment and Sustainability Officer
UNIFORM SHOP
The College Uniform Shop has returned to normal opening hours.
The opening hours are:
Tuesday 8.15am - 10.00am
Wednesday 2.00pm - 3.30pm
Thursday 1.30pm - 3.30pm
We still enocurage families to use the QKR app for ordering
CANTEEN AND CAFE
The Kingston Campus Canteen and Huntingfield Campus Cafe will reopen on Monday, 1st June.
The Kingston Campus Canteen is open recess and lunch on Wednesdays and Fridays and a reminder to families that they do not accept brown paper bags/steaky beak bags. All orders are to be placed via the Qkr! app.
The Huntingfield Campus is open Monday - Friday recess and lunch with orders accepted via Qkr!
Next week is National Reconciliation Week 27th May - 3rd June, and the College will be commemorating this important event on the Australian calendar in a number of ways.
WHAT IS NRW?
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993 and was supported by Australia's major faith communities. Three years later the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation launched Australia's first NRW. In 2000, approximately 300,000 people walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge to show their support for reconciliation. Here is a compilation clip of the moment in History:
NRW actually starts on Wednesday of next week but we will be marking the event at the Kingston Campus on Sorry Day, Tuesday, 26th May. Here is a link to an explanation of Sorry Day:
NRW starts on Wednesday 27th because that is the anniversary of the 1967 referendum when Aboriginal people were finally included in the census as Australian citizens for the first time. The week also commemorates the anniversary of the High Court Mabo decision. This year's NRW theme is 'In This Together'.
WHY IS RECONCILIATION SO IMPORTANT?
'First Nations' people have lived here for 50,000+ years. On this island we call Tasmania and home, the palawa survived two ice ages... and were flourishing in well established societies when the British arrived in the early 1800's. Colonisation caused complete dispossession of their homelands and resources, disease and war. With the death of Truganini in 1876 it was thought...and widely taught...that all Tasmanian Aboriginal people were extinct. That is NOT the case! We have approximately 100 students at St Aloysius Catholic College who are of Aboriginal descent, many of them related to Fanny Cochrane Smith. National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Our nation's past is reflected in the present, and will continue to play out in the future unless we heal historical wounds. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have long called for a comprehensive process of truth telling about Australia's colonial history. Whether you are engaging in challenging conversations or unlearning and relearning what you know, this journey requires all of us to walk together with courage.
HOW ARE WE COMMEMORATING NRW?
We think the best way for children to engage with the idea of reconciliation is for them to be given opportunities to appreciate how rich and dynamic Aboriginal culture is. All staff and students are invited to wear free dress of Aboriginal colours and themes as a sign of respect for Aboriginal culture. At Kingston Campus this will be on Tuesday 26th May. At Huntingfield Campus this will be on Thursday 28th May. More information can be found in the attached flyer:
Everyone will also be given the opportunity to 'plant' a 'hand' as part of the 'Sea of Hands' project. This activity is not compulsory but provides everyone with an opportunity to show their respect and willingness to engage in a simple act of reconciliation.
Next week at the Kingston Campus, Kinder students will learn a Dreaming story about the Tasmanian Devil and build bush shelters together. Prep students will also learn a Tasmanian Dreaming story. Grade 1, 2 and 3 students will engage in Aboriginal art activities and Grade 4 students will learn about Truganini and many other significant Aboriginal people. Huntingfield students will be given opportunities to learn more about reconciliation and the 1967 referendum. Daily prayers will focus on the theme of reconciliation.
We look forward to seeing everyone dressed in red, black or yellow next week, to show your respect for Aboriginal people, their histories and culture.
MOTHERS DAY
We hope all Mums, Stepmums, Nans, Grans and special ladies had a lovely Mothers Day. We received some very beautiful and heart-warming feedback from our Kinder to Grade 6 families for the special ‘tea-riffic’ cards and activities that were sent out for all primary students to create. Special thanks to Parish Associates Hannah and Robert for the time spent putting over 600 packs together! It was a colossal effort but appreciated by many!
VINNIES PANTRY DRIVE
Thanks to all families who contributed to our Vinnies Pantry Drive held across the College from 4th - 8th May. We were able to pass on a boot load of groceries and toiletries which were collected by Vinnies Youth Engagement and Development Officer, Simon Terhell for distribution to those in need in Southern Tasmania.
CARDS OF CARE
Thank you so much to those students and families who have responded. Beautiful cards have been coming in from students across both campuses! We are continuing this initiative for the next few weeks.
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
We are happy to share some relevant parenting topics in each newsletter for parents and families to watch or read and reflect.
GYC 2021 ENROLMENTS
KINGBOROUGH COUNCIL HOME MADE COMPETITION
WHAT'S ONLINE - KINGSTON LIBRARY