Dear Parents, Carers, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community, welcome once again to the new school week. I trust all dad’s and families enjoyed what was a stunning and beautiful week-end in the South West. We are indeed blessed to live in this part of the world.

COVID-19: Roadmap to Recovery. St. Joseph’s Primary School.

1. Term 3, Continue the current ‘Flexible and Remote’ program
   As per the Premier's announcement on Sunday, there will be no changes to the current regional remote and flexible learning arrangements for the remainder of term 3. The ‘Flexible & Remote’ learning plan will continue until the last day of this term, Friday 18th September. On this day school will conclude at 2:30 pm for all students.
   
   
2. Week 1, Term 4: 5th – 9th October
   Flexible and Remote learning will continue for all students. The on-site supervision program will still continue for children of eligible workers and vulnerable students consistent with existing guidelines.
   
   Week 2, Term 4: Monday 12 October
   All students at St. Joseph’s (Foundation to Grade 6) will return to full-time on-site face to face schooling. There will be no staggered school return at St. Joseph’s over this week. Pick-up and drop off will return to the same allocated areas of the school; A-G School Loop, H-M Queens Road and N-Z Tennis Courts.
   
   
3. Closure Day, Planning
   Today all staff participated in classroom planning. This planning included additional ‘tweeks’ to the teaching plans for the last two weeks of this term. I also note there are additional enrichment links available too for students to access.
   
   The key element of our teachers' work today was a focus on our term 4 program. In working on our term 4 plans we are especially alerted to the needs of our grade 6 students and their preparation for year 7, the potential need for extra ‘boost’ support as the students return to full face to face teaching. We are also conscious of the transition program for all year levels including next year's Foundation students. Our work at today’s closure day today is instrumental and critical to our term 4 plan. I especially thank all parents for the support of these very important days. Without preparation our plans would lack clarity, precision, learning depth; and in this electronic remote requirement, functionality for parents.
   
   In term 4 on our return to full face to face teaching our focus will be on ‘frequency and duration’ in key areas (numeracy & literacy), socialisation and personal development to connect with peers and a very close attention to student learning behaviours; including re-establishing productive classroom learning routines, persistence, organisation, team work and attention to detail.
   
   At school in term 4 we will also focus on celebrating the students' achievements this year. Our students' gains and progress have been remarkable; although undeniably different from other years. Conversely each child’s progress would not have been possible without your support and student effort. To consolidate this work we now need to stay the course for this term and prepare well for full on-site learning early in term 4. As I have shared in previous newsletters students, families and school staff have all been amazing; be affirmed each has done a great job.
   
   

Reflection of Hope

This week the Archbishop of Melbourne, Most Rev Peter A Comensoli shared some of his pastoral thoughts on this Covid-19 lockdown. In this reflection Peter acknowledges the impact on people's lives and takes the beauty of our world, as realised in the season of Spring, as a sign of hope for us all.

As I write in this newsletter the season of Spring has begun, in a year like no other! In a normal year, each of us will have experienced our own learning, personal and family journeys, filled with their griefs and sorrows, hopes and joys. But in this COVID year of 2020, we have come to share a common story and journey, even while experiencing it each individually. We can empathise with our children, neighbours and work colleagues; we readily understand the stresses and strains being experienced; we share in the fatigue and worry that is now part of our daily lives; we each yearn for and treasure those moments of joy and warmth and comfort and relief.

As we grapple with the restrictions Spring is emerging. It is my hope that this change in seasons – from death to life, from the old to the new – also marks a move towards a better accommodation with COVID. Case numbers do seem to be steadily lowering, even as the tragedy of those who have succumbed to the virus continues. While I may not know each of your personal circumstances, I have been particularly mindful of the various relationships which have taken on new or deeper significances for you over these past six months. There are those of you with elderly parents and grandparents who you have not been able to see or visit over this time; grandparents who have been separated from their children and grandkids; even children you yourself may have been separated from.

Many of us have experienced lengthy periods in close quarters with each other, and all that that has revealed. Many of you are in family circumstances with children living at home, especially the younger ones, and the delights and challenges that has generated (and the shifts in appreciation of teachers that has emerged!). The disconnection and sadness that has come with the physical separation of extended family, close friends, neighbours and work colleagues. Many who live alone have also felt what it means to be unable to see friends or have people visit.

I want to acknowledge your resilience and flexibility during these unprecedented times, and the great stresses these days may have brought to you and your families, but also the gifts that have been revealed. Whatever our personal circumstances, this time of honest revelation also offers a great moment for renewal and growth; to discover what is important, and to put aside what can consume us but which is unfruitful. Words from the Prophet Isaiah have come to me as I write, which I now offer to you. For as the rain and the snow come down from the sky and do not return before watering the earth, fertilising it and making it germinate… so it is with the word that goes forth from [God’s] mouth. (Isaiah 55.10-11) The Lord has a good purpose for each of us in this difficult time; it may remain hidden for the moment, but it will grow and sprout and bear fruit for us. For the Lord has promised: Look, I am making everything new. (Revelations 22.5)

My friends, be assured of my closeness in prayer and kindness as this season of Spring opens up to us, and as we continue to navigate our way through all that 2020 has thrown our way. May St Joseph and our Patron Saint Mary McKillop – these people of faith, trust and courage – accompany you!

Regards Peter A Comensoli.

Other Important News

1:1 Electronic Devices - Chromebooks

Included in today’s newsletter is a survey available for all school families inviting your thoughts on the possibility of extending these devices to the grade 4 learning program.

School Photographs

This survey is now closed and the information is currently being collated. The aim is to access parent/guardian thoughts to plan what we do in 2021. Thank you to everyone taking the time to complete. This feedback is invaluable for school improvement and discussion with our suppliers.

School Swimming Program, Term 4

This program will be reviewed by our Leadership Team over the coming week. We will consider pool access, COVID-19 arrangements and importantly our students' needs. Further advice will follow. As per our camping program if we make cancellations fee refunds do occur.

Community

Our Parent Association and School Advisory Council support to families and our school. These two groups are working closely with our school leadership teams to consider a physical education sports day top to be added to the school uniform and our future community/fundraising programs. Other key programs the School Advisory Council is working on is a new school master plan and our school fee program; given the reality of the local, state and Australian economy.