Term 2 | Week 2 | 06 May 2020
“So it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.”
Romans 12:5
From The Principal
As we prepare for the return of students to the campus, I thank parents in advance for your patience and support as we progressively transition to face to face learning. We all appreciate the wonderful efforts of families to support home based learning and understand that parents are keen to see their children return to school, but I ask families to please work with the timeline that has been outlined by the College to ensure a well managed and safe return to school for all concerned.
A number of additional hygiene, cleaning and social distancing practices will be established and the progressive return of students allows us to provide the information about the change of routine to a small number of students at a time. Initially, we will also be able to see how revised plans relating to movement around the site, drop off/pick up routines, specific play areas and the like are working and adjust as necessary as the number of students increase. All of the measures that have been put in place are focused on protecting everyone’s health and safety.
To support social distancing and reduce the risk of infection, we have asked that parents do not enter the site unless dropping off or picking up children from the ELC. Parents are reminded to practice social distancing while waiting to collect children in the afternoon and not congregate at the front of the College at either pick up point. Once students are collected, parents should return to their cars and leave the property immediately.
The College Office will remain a ‘virtual office’ and enquires should be made by phone or email. A reduced After College Hours Care service is available to families. The service operates between 3.00pm and 4.30pm. The EAC bus will not operate until June 1, which is the beginning of Week 6 and the first day that normal school routine is scheduled to commence.
I wish all our Mums a very special Mothers’ Day for this weekend. I am sure that all our students have a lot more to be thankful for given that for many, the role of 'in home learning consultant' has been added to the long list of roles that Mums undertake on a daily basis. Many blessings to all our Mums this Mother’s Day and particular blessings for new Mums who are experiencing their first Mother’s Day.
Mr Robert Tobias
Principal
Off The Deputy's Desk
With Mother’s Day coming up this Sunday I would like to wish all of our Mums a very happy Mother’s Day. I hope that you will enjoy your day, be spoilt and have the opportunity to have a break. Unfortunately Mother’s Day is likely to look different this year and I hope to be able to talk to my Mum over FaceTime on Sunday morning and then cook some breakfast for my wife and then hopefully have a nice meal of takeaway at night. What ever you do on Mother’s Day have a great day and thank you to all our Mums for everything that you do.
We are excited about the prospect of Kindy and Year 12 returning to the College next week and it will be great to see our students back learning at school as soon as is practicable. Below, I have outlined the list of measures that we will be taking as a College to support the safety of our staff and students as we gear up our return.
- All staff and students will be encouraged to practice good health and hygiene habits.
- Regular hand washing will be encouraged throughout the school day. Hand sanitisers will be readily available and all toilets have soap dispensers.
- Designated areas for each year level will be implemented as will staggered break times.
- Additional cleaning of facilities and surfaces will occur during the day.
- The College site will be out of bounds for parents and the College Office will continue to operate in a virtual mode. Parents are to use the drop off and pick up zones and are to continue social distancing practices at pick up and drop off time.
- Any students and staff with cold and flu like symptoms or respiratory illness are to stay home and seek medical advice. They are not to return to school until symptoms are resolved.
- If any member of the school community is diagnosed with COVID-19 or is identified by the Health Department as a close contact of a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, they are to immediately advise the College, self-quarantine and seek medical advice.
- Lunches should be brought to school, however, the canteen will be available for pre-ordered lunches and drinks.
- Students are to bring water bottles to school as bubblers will be refill stations only.
- All inter school sports, assemblies, events and other large gatherings have been suspended until further notice.
- Staff, students and families are requested to follow the government’s social distancing rules in their daily lives
Mr Darren Parks
Deputy Principal
Sunday 10 May - Mother’s Day
Term 2 Week 3
Monday 11 May
Year 12 returns to full time classes
Kindergarten A returns to class Monday and Tuesday
Wednesday 13 May
All students K-11 learning online
Thursday 14 May
Kindergarten B returns to class Thursday and Friday
Term 2 Week 4
Monday 18 May
Year 11 returns to full time classes
Kindergarten A returns to class Monday and Tuesday
Years 1-10 Brockington and Purcival students return to class
Years 1-10 Smith and Walker and Kindergarten B learning online
Wednesday 20 May
All students K-10 learning online
Thursday 21 May
Years 1-10 Smith and Walker students return to class
Kindergarten B returns to class Thursday and Friday
Years 1-10 Brockington and Purcival students learning online
Secondary News
10 ways to take care of yourself during coronavirus
After a two week break from school and adhering to the Government's expectations regarding social distancing many people are entertaining themselves by learning new skills. This holiday period meant my husband has started to use the Lancashire Federation WI cookbook and create videos of his cooking, whilst I have taught my son to cook and my daughter to create YouTube clips as she wants 10,000 followers. As a family we haven’t quite got into the family TikTok dance challenges but I am sure there is still time for this activity. Many musicians have provided online music concerts for us to watch and you can even watch Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals from your living room.
Ash the Year 8 SRC Representative has written about the Covid-19 period below:
At the start of the Coronavirus I wasn’t particularly worried and while it was a common topic of conversation between my friends and I, I was never concerned and I never found any of my friends to be concerned either.
I didn’t have much trouble adjusting to the isolation because I already had everything planned for what I was going to do. I have stayed positive the entire time, and to keep myself entertained I have continued my hobbies and pastimes.
I find my home very comforting and getting to be there all day is quite relaxing. I have been spending more time with my pets and finishing projects which is really good because I tend to not be good at finishing them.
Whilst Raquel the Year 9 SRC Representative has provided her coping mechanisms below:
During this quarantine period, I have had to find ways to keep myself entertained and connected.
To do this, I have face timed friends, scrolled through Tiktok and started a fun project like a photo wall. Tiktok has been a great way to connect with a global community that provides information on the virus in a lighthearted way, it is very entertaining for most young people and we can see this as it is now the most downloaded social media app. Keeping fit and healthy as to maintain my physical health is also very important. To do this I have been trying to exercise daily and eat as healthy as possible.
Doing these things have helped me and my family because it keeps me sane as well as keeping me from annoying my parents too much. During this time, I find that keeping connected is so important as it will maintain my social and physical health as well as keeping me informed on the current situation.
ReachOut.com have provided a list of 10 self-care activities that can be done from home during this topsy turvy time.
- Stay Active: It is pretty well known that exercise is really good for both physical and mental health. Whilst many people are walking in your local area there are free online supports that can help your family. Some recommended by ReachOut.com include Yoga with Adrienne, Nike Training Club and of course PE with Joe.
- Take 10 to be Zen: mindfulness is important to keep a sense of calmness. There are a range of mindfulness apps to try including InsightTimer. If meditation isn’t your cup of tea, it is a great idea to put aside distractions and focus fully on one small task. E.G. pay attention to your senses when having a cup of tea.
- Chat with your mates: staying in touch with friends online via Messenger, WhatsApp, Facetime, Zoom or a phone call.
- Check out online forums: ReachOut have a range of online forums for people who are having a difficult time.
- Make a homemade meal: Good nutrition is important and nothing is better than a homemade meal. Ask a friend or family member for their favourite recipe or be creative and make your own recipe.
- Take a break from the news: Between the news and social media, we’re all feeling saturated by coronavirus updates. Try and limit your media intake to a couple of times a day and spend time during other activities.
- Make a music playlist: music can make us feel better. You could make a group playlist or even develop your own backyard concert as part of the school band’s programs backyard band concert series.
- Declutter for five minutes: Spend time cleaning up your environment. Try to declutter for about five minutes a day.
- Watch or read something uplifting: Distractions can be a god time. Watch something that you find uplifting.
- Learn something new: have you wanted to get into drawing or learn a musical instrument? Now is a great time to start. Youtube is always a great place for free online tutorials.
Sometimes things can still get overwhelming even if you’ve been practising self-care. Remember there are lots of online counselling support available or consider seeing your GP or mental health professional for extra support.
We all need to support each other and what a great time to spend with your family.
Mrs Amanda Middleton
Director of Secondary School
Backyard Concert Series
Concert Band Leader
Community News
