Principal's Message Term 3 Week 4 - 2022
Dear Parents
On Wednesday, Year 1 were finally blessed with lovely weather for their walk up to Gubur Dhaura. The children enjoyed looking at some of the symbols that they had been learning about that First Nations people use to tell their stories. The children then had a symbol painted onto their hands with ochre. The teachers took the opportunity to read a Dreamtime story, written by a Ngunnawal elder before heading back to school. The children loved making the connections to 'telling stories' and finding out about this special place in our community. Thank you to Mrs Francis for coordinating this wonderful experience with the Year 1 team.
Community Council
This week the Community Council Executive met to discuss several key issues. I thank them for their sharing and commitment to developing our school and the opportunities for learning across Mother Teresa School.
- Uniform Code - We continue to finalise our uniform policy and plan to provide photos of individual pieces to clarify items for parents when purchasing in the future.
- BYOD plans for 2023 - Council endorsed the decision to move to Chromebooks from Year 4 as our preferred device from 2023. More information will follow in the coming weeks regarding the reasons for the change and specifications.
- Social events - We continue to look for ways to bring the community together despite continued restrictions for schools.
- School Board and Community Council Review Issues Paper - The Council Executive are preparing a submission outlining the MTS views.
- Annual Survey Overviews - The issue of our car park and school access to meet teachers was highlighted, a reflection of ongoing COVID restrictions.
- Building Project - While we have moved into our new office and music room our covered walkway has been delayed by about 3 weeks. This was due to an issue with the coating sprayed on the metal. With all the rain lately, we really do need a covered walkway near our basketball car park. Hopefully, all should be completed in the next two weeks.
COVID Reminders
Families still need to advise the school should a child be at home with COVID via our specific email address, covid.motherteresa@cg.catholic.edu.au then followed up with a Compass absentee notification through the Compass Parent Portal.
RAT kits are still available from the office should you require kits for regular testing, particularly if your child is a close contact.
Important COVID Information and Protocols
- Household Contacts – Staff and students are required to follow the Public Health (Diagnosed People and Household Contacts) Emergency Direction 2022 when they are deemed a household contact. It is strongly recommended that a household contact works or studies from home where it is practical to do so. A household contact must wear a face mask in any indoor setting that is not their own home, if they are aged 12 years and over. Only students in Years 7 to 12 will be required to wear a mask when attending school. Mask wearing for students in primary schools is at the discretion of the student and their parents/carers, and is not recommended for children in Pre School to Year 2. Where a student attends school they must undertake a COVID test in the 24 hours prior to returning to school and then every 48 hours if ongoing attendance is required and may only attend a school if they have no symptoms.
- Physical distancing - Physical distancing should be maintained on school sites where possible.
- Staying home when sick and hygiene requirements - Staff, students and visitors must not attend school or ELC sites if they are unwell and will be sent home if they have any symptoms of COVID-19. All staff, visitors and students should at all times maintain appropriate hand and respiratory hygiene.
Large Tables - Free!
We have 2 large tables in good condition 1.5m x 1.5m which are available for free. If you are interested please contact the front office on 62415604.
I hope families are all having fun designing their balloon cars. Our grand race-off is to occur with class finalists next Friday.
God Bless
Carmel Maguire
