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Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank you once again for your continued support as we navigate this challenging time of remote learning together. We genuinely acknowledge just how demanding it continues to be for many of you, juggling work commitments and family responsibilities as well as taking on a more direct role in your child's learning. The restrictions impact us all in many and varied ways and while it is difficult, to return to a life before COVID-19, we need to follow the health advice and play our part.
Your beautiful messages of thanks and gratitude for the work of our teachers and support staff have been very comforting and much appreciated. We too would like to acknowledge and thank you, the parents and carers, for your tremendous effort in working with the school to ensure learning continuency. Obviously, the planned learning experiences are adjusted to better suit the online format and are not intended to replicate the face-to-face teaching that would normally occur in the classroom.
If remote learning becomes all too much, take a deep breath and say to yourself, “I’m doing the best I can”. If your child can't complete all the work, don't put undue pressure on yourself and your child, it's okay. Remember, this is just a snapshot in time and their learning journey will continue in a supported way, once they return to school, post lockdown.
If you need to prioritise anything, it should be reading daily, in whatever form it takes. Reading to themselves, reading to you, reading to a pet, listening to you read to them ... any type of reading is helpful. There are many online reading resources available if you are worried that you don’t have enough books at home. Remember too, reading should be fun and enjoyable. If they can’t read the book relatively easily, then it is too hard. At school, the children are taught to make their reading sound like talking!
During this time of remote learning, it might be worth considering mixing up their day a little by scheduling time to move, perhaps a walk around the backyard or playing some games (card, dice, jigsaws and/or boardgames), drawing, cooking, gardening, as well as opportunities for them to create. While only suggestions, the activities will support their learning and allow them to engage socially as well as bring a little fun and balance to this time of remote learning.
School remains open for students who have no other option. Supervision will be provided for students to access the remote learning materials, students will not participate in traditional classroom learning. The teaching staff will continue to work on a rotating roster with reduced supervision until otherwise advised. Therefore, students may not be supervised by their classroom teacher. Your child's teacher can still be contacted between 8:00 – 3:00 pm daily and the parent request for help online form is available here. Remember, no question is a question not worth asking! We are here to help and support where we can, as together we embrace this time of change and challenge with optimism and hope.
Dear God,
These circumstances will change.
This situation shall pass.
Amen.
(Leunig)
The Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) is offering support to families, conscious of the significant financial impact that many may be experiencing as a result of the continuing COVID-19 restrictions. I encourage all parents and carers to read carefully the measures available to families in the following letter.
The latest information on CEDoW’s systemic response to COVID-19.
As always, thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Go gently and stay safe.
Andrew Heffernan
(Principal)
Dates for Term 3
- Soccer Gala Day 6th August - CANCELLED
- Basketball Gala Day Juniors (Year 3 & 4) – 9th September
- Basketball Gala Day Seniors (Year 5 & 6) – 10th September
St John’s Athletics Carnival
Last term St John’s held their athletics carnival at the Kerryn McCann Athletics Track, Beaton Park. It was a glorious day, filled with fun, positive school spirit and wonderful sporting results. Thank you to the parent helpers who assisted on the day. Our sporting carnivals need our parents’ generous support and it is much appreciated.
Due to the current remote school learning environment at St John’s, the presentation of student awards will be carried out at a later date (yet to be confirmed).
South Coast Athletics Championships
Due to the extended lockdown and the ever-changing COVID-19 situation, the Primary South Coast Region Catholic Schools Carnival (Kerryn McCann Athletics Track, Beaton Park) scheduled for Tuesday 3rd August has been cancelled.
South Coast Soccer Gala Day
Due to the extended lockdown and the ever-changing COVID-19 situation, South Coast Soccer Gala day scheduled for Friday 6 August has been cancelled.
Unfortunately, the following events have been cancelled/postponed:
- 26 July — Grandparents Day (Feast of Joachim and Anne)
- 28 July — Gunyah Excursion (We Rock the Spectrum)
Congratulations to the following students for receiving Merit Awards for Term 3, Week 2.
School drop-off and pick-up procedures will, for the most, remain unchanged. There will be minor adjustments to the afternoon pick, with parents and carers now not permitted to be onsite. You are asked to follow the directions of staff and maintain physical distancing at all times.
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School buses will run as per normal for those students that have to attend school.
Students who are remote learning will need to access their classwork through their means of delivery (e.g. Google Classroom, Seesaw) by 3pm each day to be marked as present.
School Canteen will be closed until further notice.
Expectations of Teachers
Teachers will:
- upload learning to SeeSaw or Google Classroom
- provide digital and nondigital learning experiences
- will provide feedback to students and support as required
- ‘Troubleshoot’ to assist parents with technology & remote learning via the Help form
- ensure all interactions via communication tools are in line with the CEDoW social media policy
Expectations of Students
Students will:
- follow a daily routine for learning: Be ready to learn
- identify a safe, comfortable and quiet space in their home where they can work effectively and successfully
- regularly check digital platforms and communication (SeeSaw, Google Classroom) for announcements and feedback from teachers
- complete tasks with integrity and academic honesty
- do their best to meet timelines, commitments, and due dates
- communicate proactively with their teachers if they require additional support (Years 4-6 Google Classroom)
Expectations of Parents
Parents and carers will:
- establish routines and expectations
- define a space for your child to work in
- monitor communications from teachers
- take an active role in helping your children process their learning
- encourage physical activity and/or exercise
- check-in with your child regularly to help them manage stress
- monitor how much time your child is spending online for nonlearning based activities
- seek assistance for technology support from our Request for Technology Support
- establish rules around their social media interactions
- maintain a supportive approach to the work being delivered by the teacher
General Responsibilities
- Only ask a question on a post by a teacher if you need help. Other comments are not needed.
- Keep your password and log in private. A parent or trusted adult can help you log in but do not give it to others!
- Only use your school accounts for school purposes – Email, Google Drive, Google Classroom, Study Ladder, etc.
- Please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR WORK THOROUGHLY before asking for help.
- All online activity can be monitored by your teacher, including work being completed.
- You are expected to work during regular school hours.
- All contact and replies from teachers will be carried out Monday to Friday 8:00am – 3:00pm.
Zoom
Finding deleted files in Google Classroom
Understandably, many questions may arise and it is hoped that frequent school communication via Compass, assists you in clarifying your concerns. Teachers will respond to emails and phone calls in a timely manner during school hours (8:00 am – 3:00 pm) only. Requests for technology support can be made via the form below.