Dear St. Joseph’s School Community,

Today we welcomed all our staff back to St. Joseph’s and tomorrow our young people (Foundation to Grade 2) commence the process of a full return to our on-site program. Wow!!! What a time for everyone!

As our front foyer images depict; we have all been cocooned in our homes for around nine weeks and today our beauty is re-born in the symbol of delicate, beautiful butterflies. If ever there was magic power, it is the iridescent glow of a butterfly wing. This beauty draws our eyes so that our soul is brought into the moment. It is this moment that our students, staff and families will feel and appreciate as we all come back together. We have missed our friends, colleagues, workmates, classmates and the sheer joy being in a community brings to our lives.

I would like to reassure everyone with this staged return to our St. Joseph’s school community, we all have the interest, wellbeing and safety of everyone at the forefront of our minds. The changes for parent-school access are designed to have minimal interruptions while complying with Victorian gathering safety requirements. Our after school pick-up arrangements are a critical aspect of this safety. We cannot have large groups of adults gathering; everyone’s support to the options already shared will be valued and appreciated.

In this newsletter today there is an outstanding article from our Diversity and Wellbeing Team that is great reading for parents and guardians. The article is presented in an easy read style and gives great tips about supporting young people as they transition back to school.

Below are some quick reminders of essential arrangements as we all move to a full school return:

• Walking, scooting and riding are great ways to get to school, these arrangements remain as always.
• Foundation students can be walked to classrooms for this week; extra parking available in Aquazone car park as needed.
• Parents are to wait in cars, parents are not to gather in groups before or after school.
• Staff car park will be closed to parents; parking is available in Queens Road, Southside of Botanic Road and Tennis Court car park.
• A “Healthy Moves” recommended pick up and collection process is to park nearby and students can walk to/from the collection points.
• Every family being collected by car at the end of the day must attend one of three locations; A to G in the Loop, H to M at Queens Road and N to Z at the Tennis Court Car Park.
• Our school day will finish at 3:20 pm allowing a few minutes for travel to collection points.
• Bus program remains as per last term.
• Each student is required to have drink bottle; we have extras donated by Wannon Water.
• Our school cleaning regime has already been enhanced thanks to government funding support; both Commonwealth (Dan Tehan) and State Government, (Victorian Premier Dan Andrews).
• Major school events with large gatherings, for example whole school assembly are not to be held this term.
• The remote, off-site program continues for a further 2 weeks for Grades 3 to 6.
• Grades 3 to 6 students on site this week gather at 9 am in the school hall for classroom allocations.

Again I thank you all for your help with these arrangements. Any issue can be clarified as needed by contacting our office on 5561 1343.

Regards,
Michael Gray. Principal.