Issue 7 - 20th May, 2020
From Monday 25th May 2020, all Catholic Education Tasmania primary school students (K-6) will return to school. Students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 are expected to attend school and participate in classroom learning. Parents and carers of students with health support needs are encouraged to consult their health practitioner when deciding if their child should attend school. Parents and carers remain responsible for their children. This includes ensuring their children stay at home and continue their learning by accessing material such as those provided for parents on the learning@home website https://sites.google.com/catholic.tas.edu.au/learningathome
Please refer to the COVID-19 Arrangements Family Factsheet for further information.
We look forward to seeing more students next week. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions regarding the return to face to face teaching from Monday 25th May.
Student free days for 2020 will be as follows:
- Term 2 - Monday, 22nd June
- Term 3 - Friday, 25th September
Enrolments are now open for 2021. If you or someone you know of is interested in enrolling for the 2021 school year please contact the office for an Enrolment Pack. Our Kinder 2021 timeline is currently being reviewed with COVID-19 restrictions in mind. All enquiries welcome!
A big thank you to Mr Mark Bishop for his donation of timber for our new garden hot house which is currently under construction. Our community's generosity and support is greatly appreciated. We look forward to sharing some photos with our school community when it is complete.
This year’s theme is We’re in this Together, which in light of our current circumstances of Covid-19, reminds us that whether we’re in a global crisis or reconciliation, we ARE in this together!
“Reconciliation is an ongoing journey that reminds us that while generations of Australians have fought hard for meaningful change, future gains are likely to take just as much, if not more, effort”.
Our Mission Statement at SPC emphasises, “We Seek the Lord through our Relationships, Service and Humility, Hopes and Aspirations”. Our Mission supports the call from Reconciliation Australia, to establish and deepen relationships and collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as this reinforces the action of reconciliation. Reconciliation Australia highlights that we can work well together when we KNOW and TRUST each other.
Be that person who acts to promote positive change and dignity for all!
Let us work together in acknowledging the past and understanding the importance of healing through ensuring the wrongs that have been committed are NEVER repeated.
Please contact our local Aboriginal corporation, CHAC to enquire and/or participate in local recognition of National Reconciliation Week.
As some families may be aware, over the weekend Mrs Danielle Hodgetts has broken her leg. Please keep Danielle in your thoughts and prayers as we wish her a speedy recovery.
Mrs Wilson will be taking the students for PE and Health lessons.
As we are unable to resume our normal Learning Treasures sessions for the foreseeable future we have created a facebook group for our families. This group has been designed for families to continue and join in with our weekly activities. To join this group all you need to do is search for ‘St Peter Chanel - Set Up for Success - Learning Treasures’ in the facebook search bar.
This fortnight’s 'Aiming High' Awards have been awarded to all the students for each class! Well done everyone.
Kinder - For the dedication everyone has shown towards their learning at home and at school. We are so very proud of you!
Prep - For being flexible and adapting to change.
Grade 1 - For their enthusiasm, commitment and perseverance towards their ‘Learning @ Home’ school work.
Grade 2 - For their impressive effort completing online learning tasks.
Grade 3 - For relishing opportunities for self improvement in different learning times; having a growth mindset.
Grade 4 - For living out our 'Spirit of Jesus' values of perseverance and understanding with our Learning@Home.
Grade 5 - For their resilience and hard work in these challenging times. Well done!
Grade 6 - For their dedication, perseverance and attentiveness to their online learning. Very proud!
St Peter Chanel Catholic School utilises the education jobsite Teachers On Net for school vacancies https://www.teachers.on.net/ Current vacancies: Relief Teacher Assistants and Teacher Assistant
Tips for The Transition Back to School
Returning to school next week after what feels like a lifetime of isolation may have mixed feelings for both adults and children. Many kids can’t wait to catch up with their friends and have the restrictions of access to their home only, removed. But for some just the mention of returning to school can bring on reluctance and nervousness.
They have heard so much about social distancing that the thought of a hug from their friends can be enough to make them very anxious. Zoom meetings have removed the face-to-face connections and relationships. Friendship groups have possibly changed, so this could create an underlying uneasiness also. All harsh reminders of how different things are in their worlds right now.
Some children will have thrived in the home learning environment due to working at their own pace with less distractions, going back to school may not be something they are looking forward to.
Children have experienced a loss and some may be finding it difficult to cope emotionally. Parents/Carers should be aware that they might not share their back-to-school worries. You might get the ‘What if’s’ instead. Other signs might be trouble sleeping, bursts of anger, withdrawing or complaints of headaches and feeling sick in the tummy.
We can help our children by encouraging them to express their feelings about going back to school and be open to hearing what they’re going through. Validate their concerns by confirming its ‘OK’ to feel a bit worried; it’s understandable and normal. Then give them strength, ‘It might be a bit hard at first but it’s going to be Ok’.
Remember it’s important to project confidence that school is the right place to be for learning. The school and teachers will be drawing upon their existing approaches to student wellbeing, where a strong focus on relationships are central to feeling safe, belonging and connectedness. That may mean spending more time on the social and emotional side of learning.