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PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
We are back into another period of lockdown and schooling from home. From a school perspective this transition has been a smooth one and I hope you are feeling supported as we move into another period of uncertainty. As a school, we are ready to deliver learning in this isolated environment for as long as it needs to be. My concern this time around is the fatigue factor for our students, families and staff. It will be very important that we all look after each other and if you are in need of support we are here to assist you.
Following today’s announcement that we are moving to a longer period of lockdown we are ready to continue with the plans for this week and extend for as long as the lockdown requires.
During schooling from home your first point of contact is your child’s classroom teacher. They can be emailed with any questions you have around the day to day teaching and learning program.
Members of school leadership are available to assist with specific or general concerns you may have.
- Technology or device issues or questions - Chris Joplin - IT Leader cjoplin@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au
- Teaching and Learning program - Mick Schinck - Teaching and Learning Leader and Deputy Principal mschinck@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au
- Wellbeing and Mental Health - If you need support for your child or family contact Louise Van Corler - Wellbeing Leader lvancorler@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au
As principal I am here for anything I can do to make this whole challenging time as smooth as possible. I can be emailed at principal@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au or feedback@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au
My next whole school communication is planned to be sent on Friday, 23rd July.
Please stay physically and emotionally safe and don’t leave God out of your coping strategies.
Loving God
Your peace surpasses all my understanding.
When frustration and anger rises within me, please calm my mind and soothe my heart with your gentle words.
Fill my whole life with your perfect peace.
May I be shaped by your peace rather than my frustration.
With your Holy Spirit in my life, I can overcome anger and frustration.
May I reflect your character, being slow to anger and rich in steadfast love.
Look upon me and cause your face to shine upon me.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
Amen.
This period of lockdown has extended into our Bentleigh East community in ways that we have not experienced before. A number of our families have been exposed to Tier One or Tier Two sites. This has resulted in some families requiring to quarantine and isolate until they have a negative test and other families having to quarantine for a period of 14 days no matter what their test results.
I am grateful to the families who have advised me of their restrictive circumstances and ask that any other families who are facing a period of quarantine or isolation to also let me know. We have already begun planning for the way we will support students' learning, if lockdown ends and families are still in isolation or quarantine. Knowing which families this may affect will assist in making sure we are very well prepared.
Through this process I have been in contact with the Department of Health and while individual families are impacted, there has been no impact on the majority of our school community and we are continuing to ensure St Peter’s is a COVID safe environment.
EVENTS UPDATE
The current lockdown will impact on a number of upcoming school events. At this stage I can advise the following.
- 19th July - 7:00pm P&F Meeting - Proceeding as an online event
- 21st July - Foundation 2022 Story Time - Postponed
- 23rd July - Grandparents / Special Friends event - Postponed
- 24th /25th July - Reconciliation for some Year 3 students - Cancelled and to be reorganised
- Beginning 26th July - Foundation 2022 interviews - To be advised
- 28th July - Foundation 2022 Story time - Postponed
- 3rd August - Year 5 and 6 Performing Arts Performances - To be advised
- 4th August - Foundation 2022 Story Time - To be advised
- 4th August - Year 1 and Year 2 Performing Arts performance - To be advised
On the 1st of January 2021 all Catholic Primary Schools and Regional Secondary Colleges in the Archdiocese of Melbourne had a change of governance. As per a recommendation from the Royal Commission, the Parish Priest is no longer responsible for the governance of schools, this has been handed over to the newly established MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools).
As a result of this change of governance MACS has developed numerous policies over the first two terms that as of the 12th of July are now found on our Parental Portal. These are mandated policies that all MACS Schools have had to adopt and implement. These are not new policies as most schools already had existing policies they are now universal for our system and allows our system to comply with VRQA (Victorian Regulations and Qualifications Authority) which registers all schools.
These MACS Policies can be found on the Parent Portal where you find the eNewsletters.
Schools will still have school specific policies ie: Homework Policy, Uniform Policy etc and these can also be found on the same page.
Michael Juliff
Co-Ordinating Principal
On behalf of our Parents and Friends I am extending an invitation to our mums who would be willing to be part of a team to organise the Father’s Day Breakfast on Monday, 6th September. This team will have the full support of the Parents and Friends and the School Leadership Team. Many hands will make light work. If you would like to volunteer or would like more information please email pnf1@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au or principal@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au
In the last newsletter of term two we asked if any families had any spare coats they could donate that could be passed on to people in need. Thank you very much to the families who with very little notice dropped coats in. These have already been taken and shared with those in need. Thank you to Chris Kell for organising this.
