Dear Parents,

One of my favourite things to do each evening as I walk my dog, is to see all the amazing chalk drawings that children in my neighbourhood have created. Many times there are  messages of hope and good wishes for others who are out walking. It is such a special reminder of the joy that children bring into our lives, their need to feel connected and of their capacity to be in the moment and start each day with optimism.

While many things around us have changed for the time being, I know as a school community we will draw upon our resilience, creativity and kindness to support each other as we navigate our way through this term. There will be times when technology will fail us, when things are unclear and when our days just generally go wrong. It will be okay, as we are all in this together and others are quite possibly feeling the same way as you. The good news is that children will survive school closures and will recover academically in a relative short period of time. Some days you will breeze through online learning and other days will be difficult. Please don't stress, staying safe, happy and well will always be our first priority. The small number of students attending school are doing a wonderful job of learning and playing together.

While the school is open, we are operating in a limited capacity, following all guidelines from the Victorian Premier and CECV. Thank you for your efforts in doing the same. School leaders and specialist staff are in classrooms each day, as well as preparing their own remote lessons. I am so proud of how St Paul's staff have adapted to a new way of teaching through completing online learning modules and preparing for remote learning with such professionalism and generosity. Thank you also to parents for supporting Term 2 learning. Your feedback has been very valuable.

As of this week, all remote learning will be sent out the night before, so that parents can plan their own working day with their children's learning schedule. All lessons are pre recorded so that your child’s day can begin at a time that suits your family. We will also start ‘Specialist Wednesday’ as of this week. Classroom teachers will not be allocating additional work on these days. Please understand that specialists will be posting work for 365 students, so feedback will not be immediate. Specialist work will go out on Tuesday evenings.

The Leadership team will be meeting this week to discuss and evaluate our progress in supporting the wellbeing and academic needs of students and families. I will be sending out a Newsletter to parents twice a week this term so that there continues to be clear communication and support between home and school.

Did you miss the cyber safety webinar?

We are pleased to let everyone know that the recording of last Thursday night's cyber safety webinar for parents is  available to watch until April 26th. 

This is what parents said about the session:

"Fantastic session. So valuable! Thank you so much"

"Terrific presentation. Thanks"

"Awesome content, really informative and great ideas. Thanks heaps :)"

"Congratulations! Only 30 minutes in and you have me hooked. I have done several eSafety Commission courses and although brilliant, this is a more comfortable presentation for parents. Important information!"

To watch the replay, as well as access to all of the slides, links and resources, visit:

www.informandempower.com.au/april16webinar

Password: parents 2020

Parents and Friends Events for Term 2

All school social events and programs for Term 2 have been cancelled until further notice.. Where possible, we will be re scheduling some events including:

•  Protective Behaviours Program Prep -6 will be moved to Term 3, 
• Glen Eira Disability Program Yr 5-6 has been postponed,
•  Confirmation has been postponed until later in the year. 

• All Fundraising for 2020 has been put on hold for the year, including the Fete. 

The Parents and Friends are looking forward to organising a wonderful family celebration when we all get back together!

Good news - Principal Awards will be posted on Seesaw and google classroom over the coming weeks. 

ANZAC Day

ANZAC  day is the solemn day of remembrance of those Australians and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who fought and died for their country, and is marked annually on the anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign of the first World War. Next Saturday 25 April marks that day. 

I would like to share with you a poem that was written and shared with me by one of our Year 6 students. The strong imagery it portrays seems beyond the eyes of a child but sends a strong message of hope and gratitude.

A word from Cath Knights our amazing Tech Wizz 

Hi Everyone,

I can’t thank you enough for the patience and support you have shown during our remote learning. Fortunately our students are very clever and therefore navigate around a problem as best as they can.

If you have any technical issues, please don’t hesitate to contact me cknights@spbentleigh.catholic.edu.au

Also if your child has a concern over Internet Safety, please complete the

Remote Learning Cyber Safety Incident Report

This allows us to monitor concerns.

Thanks to the many parents for the considerate and understanding way in which you have corresponded  with me over the last few weeks. I understand this is a challenging time for families, who are juggling working from home arrangements, along with supporting their child’s learning at home. If you have any queries regarding your child’s learning program this term, please contact your child’s teacher. For any other queries or questions, please contact me at principal@spbentleigh.catholic.edu.au

Take care, God bless and keep smiling at each other!

Catherine

Dear Parents/Guardians of our Sacramental students,

May I wish you all a very Happy Easter in these very strange times.

I write to you with an update on our Sacramental Program within the Federated Schools.

Two points we know from the State Government.

1. Remote learning will be for Term 2 at least.
2. The State of Emergency in Victoria has been extended till at least 11th May.  This means Churches will be closed for this period of time and maybe beyond.

Given remote learning the reflection day for Year 4 Eucharist and reflection/rehearsal day for Year 6 Confirmation have both been postponed.

Year 3 Reconciliation program is also on hold at this stage due to the closure of Churches and Places of Sacred Worship.

Both Year 4's and Year 6's have been given their Sacramental Workbook to begin at home.  Teachers will explain what is expected of each student in starting and completing this.

No new dates have been chosen for any of the Sacraments at this stage and will not be chosen till Schools and Churches reopen fully.

Any questions or queries please email me on edooley@spbentleigh.catholic.edu.au

In thanks

Edward Dooley (Mission and Faith Leader)