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Dear Parents and Carers
It is hard to believe we have reached the halfway point of the final term.
COVID-19 School Restrictions Update
On Thursday this week Catholic school principals received an updated roadmap from Catholic Education about what is permitted and what is still restricted to occur in schools. These guidelines reflect the advice from the ACT Government, including a recent Guide to COVID Safe End of Year events for schools.
A summary of relevant points in the CE roadmap for parents include:
· All Catholic schools including St Anthony’s must continue to limit the number of adults and volunteers on site.
· Existing student drop off and pick up arrangements at school must continue.
· Parents are still not permitted to routinely enter the school grounds or buildings, without a scheduled meeting. It is advisable to notify your child's teacher if you need to collect your child early from school and allow extra time for this process.
· Parents can make a scheduled meeting with a staff member to be held at school.
· Records must be kept of visitors attending the school including any volunteers or coaches.
· Although assemblies can now resume in the ACT, social distancing requirements of one person per four square metres squared for indoor events significantly limits the number of adults we can have in our school hall. There is also a requirement for adults from different families to be separated. This does make it very difficult to hold any live performances at this point. Please also note that our staff and students have been presenting virtual assemblies for the majority of 2020 and nearly all of these events have been held already.
· Excursions, including interschool sports, can continue within the region. In the ACT, groups must not exceed 500 people (this number includes adults). Schools need to review the excursion provider’s COVID-19 safety plan prior to conducting the excursion.
· School Board and P&F meetings can now be conducted at the school.
· In the ACT, Parent-teacher interviews can resume in a face-to-face format, with a maximum of 500 people (excluding students and staff) but with a one person per four metres squared restriction for indoor events. There will be option parent-teacher interviews offered in Week 10 this term after reports go home. The format for the interviews will be communicated closer to his time.
· Working bees can go ahead within health guidelines.
· In ACT Fundraising events can go ahead with a maximum of 500 people (excluding students and staff) or one person per four square metres squared for indoor events and one person per two metres squared for outdoor events, whichever is lesser. Although it is unlikely that St Anthony’s will conduct any fundraising events of this nature for the remainder of 2020.
· All health precautions and regulations are still in place. This means that any person, staff and students included, should not be at school or remain at school if they are unwell and presenting with COVID-19 type symptoms.
Parents are reminded that Out of hours cleaning continues with a focus on high frequency touch points, including daily cleaning of student desks. Day cleaning continues with a focus on high frequency touch points including: school entry/administration areas, staff rooms and kitchens, washrooms and major transit areas. Soap, paper towel and hand sanitisers are provided in the required areas of the school.
Upcoming Events:
Now that the school has received an update on COVID-19 restrictions, information about St Anthony’s Kindergarten Orientation, Year 6 Graduation, Year 5/6 candle ceremony and other events will be shared with parents soon.
Semester Two Student Reports
For your information, parents will receive a Semester Two Report for their child later this term. This report will assess students academically in the normal A-E format (it is different for Kindergarten). There will also be comments about each students study and application to school. There will also be a written general comment at the conclusion of the report. Parents are able to opt for a parent teacher interview in Week 10 if they wish. More details about the report and interviews will be provided closer o the time.
NAIDOC Week
Thank you to Mrs Bernie Ephraums for organising our NAIDOC Week activities and educational focus areas during the week. The theme in 2020 is:
Students enjoyed a performance from a visiting aboriginal performer on Thursday, were involved in various art activities, watched a traditional smoking ceremony welcoming us to Ngunnawal Land and watched a virtual liturgy for NAIDOC Week.
Forensic Science Show
Thank you to Mrs Angie Kisiel for organising the popular Forensic Science Show last Friday. The students seemed to enjoy the variety of activities available and this very interesting aspect of science.
Successful 2021 ELC Orientation last Saturday
Well done to Mrs Michelle Woodward and our wonderful ELC staff for opening up the ELC on Saturday morning to welcome each student and one parent from each of the 3 2021 classes. Each class attended at a separate time and the students enjoyed time exploring the centre and participating in their favourite activities. The ELC rooms and grounds looked beautiful and inviting - like they always do. Well done ELC team.
Sacrament of Confirmation Celebrations
Thank you to Miss Beth Lehmensich and our Year 6 teachers Mrs Angela Bartkowiak, Mrs Heather Naylor and Mrs Angie Kisiel on preparing the students for the sacrament and supporting them through each of the 5 celebrations. Each candidate knew their chosen saint well and Fr Tony was impressed by their commitment to be confirmed Christians. Each celebration was very reverent and peaceful as the Holy Spirit came upon each student through the special rituals of the sacrament.
Year 6 Camp Thanks
Year 6 have been very busy! Well done to our Year teachers Mrs Angela Bartkowiak, Mrs Heather Naylor and Mrs Angie Kisiel for attending the two nights and three days of the Year 6 camp. There was a lot of planning and shuffling ideas to get the camp off the ground and to eventually be able to stay overnight at a venue. Thank you to Mrs Katie Akers in the front office and the teachers for making it all come together. Thank you to Mr Michael Bradley and Mr Angas Quantrill who stayed overnight on the camp and took part in the day programs. Thank you to the other staff that were able to attend during the day or evening to supervise a group or give support to the Year 6 students and teachers. Well done everyone.
Recent ELC Assembly and Year 2 Assembly Presentations
Congratulations to our Year 2 team and our ELC team for their respective virtual assemblies and presentations for parents, students and staff to enjoy. These types of presentations give joy to those unable to be present for the ‘in’s and out’ of the students days at school. Well done to both teams on their efforts this term.
Book Week and Book Fair Success
Thank you to Mrs Danielle Smith for her awesome efforts with Book Week and Book Fair earlier in the term. This was another event postponed from the middle of the year to this term. Everything went smoothly and reading was promoted in an exciting way! The Book Fair went well and plenty of students are now out there reading new books. Thanks to the staff that helped with the virtual Book Fair! Well done!
New Classroom Building on Track for Opening in Term 2021
Building work on the new 6 classroom block, which has other facilities build in, is tracking well and on schedule to be completed in late January and hopefully in time for the start of the 2021 school year. With staff input, the new classrooms and learning areas look fantastic and will a very welcome addition to our school facilities. Please see the very recent photos below:
Rice Day and Socktober Thanks - Awareness and funds for Missions (Cambodia)
Thank you to Miss Beth Lehmensich and our Year 6 leaders for their efforts with the Rice Day and Socktober creations. It was a lot of fun and raised money for those far less fortunate than ourselves.
Recent Seasons for Growth (SFG) Program and Celebration
Thank you to our SFG Staff Team leaders who ran a very successful and meaningful program in 2021. The students benefited greatly from the sessions and time spent together. We had approximately 32 students take part, a large number, and they are all better for being involved in the program. They brought a buddy to the final celebration which was nice and life giving to be able to share that moment.
I wish you all the best for the coming week. God Bless.
Greg Walker
Principal
Happy Birthday to:
Paige P, Evie D, Holly R, Hannah G, Lily T, Stuart A, Aryzona C, Caleb G, Rosemary L, Gavin J, Santigo A, Abhijot C, Lincoln C, Penelope G, Heba B, Moustafa B, Mikah Z, Charlotte M, Finn D, Hayley L, Caomh M, Luke A-W, Declan P, Kai W, Amelia W, Matthew A, Rhun H, Owen J, Taylor M, Liam G, Eleanor P, Luca A, Stephanie B, Logan K, Khoby H, Gemma M, Isaac S, Emerson K, Mia P, Jack S, Ryan B, Lachlan B, Hamish D, Riley S, Daniel A, Patrick T, Anjali C, Eliana S and Evangeline M.