Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

John 11: 25

(from the Gospel for the fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A)

Dear parents and carers

We have never seen a week quite like the week we have just experienced together! These are unprecedented and unusual times. And events are moving quickly, changing almost daily.

I have been impressed, proud and, simultaneously, humbled by the sensible, calm and just “get on with it” attitude that has been so openly on display by our families, teachers and staff. It has been most clearly evident in the engaged and diligent manner in which the children are adapting to the challenges (and joys!) of remote learning. The children are a credit to us all. Their response is testament to the positive response our community is enacting during these challenging times. It is always astounding what we can achieve when we all focus and work together for a common goal. Our common goal is, and will always remain, the wellbeing and learning of our children. Well done everyone!

Our school will remain open until otherwise notified. Should we become non-operational we will notify you clearly of this measure. We are having around twenty five children at school each day. They are being supervised by teachers and are engaging in exactly the same work as their classmates at home. This is perfectly fine and a great support to those families who cannot provide supervision for their children at home. We are happy to have the children at school if you are unable to supervise your children at home. We, of course, have continued our little St Paul’s health mantra of “wash your hands, cover your cough, stay home if you are sick”.

I have included an amended list of cancelled and postponed events included with this newsletter. Significantly, please note that NAPLAN has been cancelled for 2020. 

You will notice that there are some sections of the newsletter missing, notably the Mission Star and Awards. We are working out a system for how we can continue to publicly acknowledge and affirm the children during this period of remote learning. Hopefully, we will have these acknowledgements back in place next week.

Wellbeing and self care

Looking after ourselves and our own well being is really important, if we are to continue being the best versions of ourselves for our children. The children need us now more than ever as we work our way through these difficult times together. 

To help you with this, there are some links to further wellbeing resources for you to review in Mrs Browne’s section of the newsletter. We have also included some links to parenting resources for working with children during remote learning. We hope they are useful. Miss du Bois has included a link to “Pray as you go”. This is a beautiful, reflective and calming prayer resource based on the daily Gospel. If you are feeling stressed or worried (and let’s face it, who isn’t at the moment!!) take some time to access this resource. We have also included for your consideration a faith response to the current situation. 

Staying informed about COVID-19

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong have developed a website for parents and community regarding current advice for the management of COVID-19. This website will be updated regularly with the latest advice from the government and our system of school. This website is our “source of truth”. 

All information and updates regarding our school and system’s response to COVID-19 will be published on this website. A link to this resource has been placed on our school website home page as well as on the CEDoW website. You can access the site from this link.

https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/about-us/general-news/covid-19-information-centre

Pastoral letter from Bishop Brian 

I have included a copy of a Pastoral Letter from Bishop Brian regarding the Diocesan response to COVID-19 and the significant changes to our collective liturgical life with this newsletter. As you are already aware all public Masses are cancelled as are our sacramental programs. Please read Bishop Brian’s letter which contains specific advice about significant changes to the celebration of baptisms, weddings and funerals.

Cancelled or postponed school and related parish events

St Paul’s Cross Country planned for Thursday 19 March (postponed to Term 4)

P&F working bee planned for Friday 20 March (cancelled)

Sacramental classes for Reconciliation planned for Sun 22/ Sun 29 March (cancelled)

Gym lessons scheduled for Fri 27 March/ Fri 3 April (cancelled) 

School Photos (rescheduled Tues 4 August) 

Mass for the Feast of the Annunciation planned for Thursday 26 March (cancelled) 

Whole school assembly planned for Thursday 26 March (cancelled)

First Reconciliation liturgy and sacrament planned for Friday 3 April (cancelled)

P&F fund raising event at Brigadoon planned for Saturday 4 April (cancelled)

Holy Week whole school liturgy planned for Tuesday 7 April (cancelled)

ANZAC Day march planned for Saturday 25 April (cancelled)

Diocesan cross country planned for Tuesday 5 May (cancelled)

NAPLAN scheduled to commence 12 May (cancelled)

Science and Engineering day (Year 5 and Year 6) planned for Tuesday 26 May (cancelled)

St Paul’s athletics carnival planned for Friday 5 June (postponed to Term 3)

NAIDOC Day celebration planned for Friday 26 June (postponed to Term 3)

Resources

The Pray As You Go app has been pushed out to student iPads and can also be accessed on the internet. It is a free app and very easy to use. This app provides daily prayers and reflections, accompanied by some lovely music. We encourage students and parents/grandparents to use this app.

Another resource made available online is the Spiritual Resource Kit filled with music and videos for use with students and adults. There is something for everyone to nourish and sustain us spiritually and to support learning during these challenging times.  

You simply have to click on the link below for access to the kit.

https://www.emmausproductions.com/

May we continue to seek peace of mind and give thanks to our generous God.

Thank you

Catherine du Bois

Religious Education Coordinator

For many of us this is the first time we have experienced such severe restrictions at a national and global level. At no time did we think we would have to assist our children with learning in the home environment on a daily basis. With these changes come many challenges and as parents it can be challenging to juggle all the demands that we are being asked to manage. Below are some links to websites that can provide support. The first one is a parenting site that provides evidence based strategies that support parenting at home especially around behaviour.

https://parentworks.org.au/#/

The second link is to Maggie Dent’s website on ‘Self-Care for Parents’. It is important that we model self-care for our children and they see us taking time for ourselves. This will be difficult at this time but it is ok to tell your children that the next 15 mins at the end of the day is your time and set them up with something they can do during this time that doesn’t require your help. If they see you reading your book and enjoying a cuppa they will value this time when they are older.

https://www.maggiedent.com/common-concerns/self-care-parents/

The third website link is to ‘Beyond Blue - Wellbeing section’. It has lots of links to recommended activities to support wellbeing.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/personal-best/pillar/wellbeing

Finally, attached is a photo of the trees out the front of our church in spectacular colour.

Regards,

Katie Browne

Assistant Principal