Dear Families,

I would like to take this opportunity to share with everyone a special blessing for Easter.  This year will be recorded as a significant marker in the history of the world, and while we will be distracted by the crisis at hand it is probably worthwhile to not forget to celebrate the season and the traditions that belong to our faith story or the simple family traditions that you still keep as a family.

From a school perspective this holiday period has been one where we have waited in anticipation of very changed circumstances for us all.  Can I commend the staff for the efforts and extra time that they have put in both before and during the break, and in particular my outstanding leadership team who have been meeting online almost everyday as we responded to Government and DOSCEL directives and action points.

You would be now aware of the need to essentially lock down school sites and move into a Remote Learning phase for at least Term 2.  The staff have embraced this idea and although I know we will have plenty of issues we need to work through, it is also a chance for more positive opportunities to present themselves.  Staff will be challenged to work in an online space, students will be given more responsibility for their own learning, while parents will experience first hand the learning joys and challenges faced by their children.  With many staff also having their own children at home during this time, we will walking the home schooling journey nervously with you.

This past week I have reached out to parents in the community to act as a reference group as we confront this crisis.  If you would like to contribute please contact me via email.  Thanks to those parents who have already indicated they are available to act as a sounding board or provide feedback.

Attached to this newsletter are two documents: A letter to families explaining some Remote Learning considerations as well as document from DOSCEL being a Parents Guide to Remote Learning.  Both document are also linked in the COVID-19 section of the school website.

So as we prepare to celebrate Easter, and joyous welcome a Risen Jesus this Easter Sunday, may we look to next term with hope and strive be be the 'Light of Christ' to the most important people in our school community - our children.

Keep safe.

Kind regards,

Dave