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Dear Parents and Carers,
We've had another successful week of students returning to face-to-face learning. Thank you for keeping up to date with the changing circumstances and making sure children are here and ready to learn and play each day. We continue to focus on safe health and hygiene practices to do the best we can to keep everyone safe.
I know you will agree that our teachers have been awesome throughout the pandemic and have continued to adapt to the changing guidelines for students. In addition to managing these changes, it has been incredible to witness the absolute professionalism of staff as they work in the background and in meetings, assessing the educational goals we set for students at the start of the year, planning ways to teach and/or reach those students who need support, and learning new ways to engage students in wanting to achieve academic goals. The introduction of 'Bump it Up' walls in classes is one way that our teachers are making the learning visible for students and a powerful tool to engage students in their own development.
Recently, I came across this short article by a respected educational researcher and thought I would share it with you as it provides a perspective I think is worth sharing. Pasi Sahlberg is a professor of education policy at the University of New South Wales and the Deputy Director and Research Director of the Gonski Institute for Education. Pasi's ideas influence the work our Diocese is doing in the early years of learning. Formal education certainly has its place but I think we forget that learning is possible in every engagement we have, in different places, with different people. Relaxing with the idea that children are learning all of the time might help us process the longevity of the situation we currently find ourselves working through.
The unexpected benefits of learning in lockdown (Pasi Sahlberg, 2020)
Next week, we see an increase in the staggered return to school for students. All Kinder to Yr 6 students will attend face-to-face lessons in class on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday and Friday will be just for the children of essential workers and those students who need to be at school. Limiting the number of students attending on Thursday and Friday is supportive of families who need time to readjust to the new guidelines, will provide teachers and students with the opportunity to bring the online learning to a close and to prepare for the commencement of full-time face-to-face teaching and learning the following week. Attendance requirements will begin to apply from this time. Please contact the school if you need advice or support in the process of transition.
Afternoon Pick-up
This week, Forster Buslines made a few suggestions to support them with the changing afternoon pick-up procedures. They have requested that our parents do not stand directly at the front of the school, or towards where the buses park. They have also asked that we do not stand around talking on the concrete platforms that jut out onto the road. We feel these are easy fixes for us and thank you for your cooperation. It is best to stand along the path behind where the teachers park to wait for your children. We would also ask, with increasing numbers, that you head off as soon as you have your child/ren. Due to the busy road and related dangers to pedestrians, it has always been our preference that parents drop off and pick-up in Carawa Street, on the other side of the school. If you're worried about the parking in Carawa Street, it might be worth considering picking students up just after dismissal at 3.10pm, instead of 3.00pm as most parents have gone by then.
School Fees
As you know, our Diocese made arrangements for families (via a survey), to let us know if they need to defer fees or request a concession of school fees due to changing circumstances. We have been processing these requests and acknowledge those families who have gradually been able to recommence their direct debits. I encourage any families experiencing difficulties due to COVID to please access this survey.
All families received their Term 1 School Fee statement at the beginning of this year. Families have not received the Term 2 statements during the pandemic because we wanted to make sure we were not putting additional pressure on any families whose circumstances may have changed. These fee statements will be sent as soon as the Diocese believes it is appropriate.
For families who do not require fee deferral or concession, I encourage you to continue to make your fee payments as you normally would, to avoid a larger statement balance later in the year. If you are unsure of your options for payment, please contact our Clerical staff in the office. Any family who would like to chat about their fees are also welcome to make an appointment to meet with me.
Enrolments for 2021
Over the coming weeks, you might notice some online advertising through our social media platforms to support the 2021 Kinder enrolments and enrolments across the school. All schools will be keen to get these processes underway following the interruption to the regular timeline. If you notice one of our advertisements online, please share it with your friends and family to maximise the reach of our campaign. We are keen to maintain our two Kinder classes in 2021 and your support in sharing stories in community that might encourage families to enrol into Holy Name would be appreciated.
St Clare's has commenced enrolment interviews for Yr 7, 2021. Please make contact with St Clare's, pick up an enrolment pack at Holy Name or complete an enrolment request online. Read about St Clare's in their latest newsletter.
P&F News
Today I am extremely grateful to our P&F President, David Isbel, his father Rex, and Gordon Cooper, who happily took on the job of cleaning out some P&F gear stored in a shipping container at school. We had a bit of a cleanout across the school, to be continued Monday, taking resources and rubbish to the recycle centre and waste management plant.
Our first ever online P&F meeting last week went really well. I think this option will continue to grow and make the meetings accessible for more of our parents. If you're interested in receiving the invitation to attend, please let our office staff know. Receiving the invitation does not lock you into attending, it just means you have the option of tuning in if it happens to work for you on the night. Email the office if you're interested in receiving an online invitation admin@forster.catholic.edu.au.
Staff News
In Week 5 of Term 3 this year, one of our Yr 4 teachers, Mrs Marie Power, is retiring after 40 years of educating young people across the Newcastle, Hunter and Manning regions. Marie's time with us will not end until her leave runs out next February, so we could almost say 41 years...an amazing effort!
Towards the end of this term, we will advertise for a temporary teacher to take 4P for the remainder of the year. In the holidays between Terms 3 & 4, we will advertise the full-time permanent position at Holy Name to commence at the start of 2021. Of course, we will plan time for Marie to handover important information about the students in her class to the new teacher to ensure continuity of learning. This is a big occasion for Marie and we will be sure to provide an opportunity for staff and families to farewell and congratulate Marie on her outstanding career.
Miss Spinks has taken leave for the remainder of this year and I thought it might be nice to update you on the journey of Miss Spinks and her son Alfie. They are both doing really well, and this week, Alfie moved to the Special Care Nursery and came off his breathing device. This is a big positive step in the right direction - go Alfie!
Please stay in touch as we transition back to school and contact the school if you have any questions.
Warm regards,
Brooke Stephens
Last Friday, the Year 6 children in attendance at school worked with Mrs Loring, Mr Pomplun and Mr Peninton, our groundsman, to clear out all the beds in the school garden. This was a big job and most of the children worked together to achieve our goal.
Each Grade has now been allocated a garden bed and this week will plant out their beds with some Autumn and Winter crops such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, silverbeet and rainbow chard. The Year 6 will add some companion plants to the beds to help with pest minimisation.
Mr Peninton is also getting our worm farms up and going again and we have some great compost to use in the garden. Each class will be responsible for caring for their garden bed, watering and finally harvesting the produce.
We have formed a partnership with Catholic Care and the produce will go into Taree to supply their Community Kitchen which operates 5 days a week. Catholic Care has plans to begin operating a Community Kitchen out of our Parish and then the produce will be delivered to them. Check out the advertisement at the bottom of this newsletter if you'd like to volunteer for the Forster Tuncurry Community Kitchen. When the project is up and running, we are hopeful that our senior students can be involved in meal preparation and service to those in need.
The Garden project is taking a new turn this year as we follow the Catholic Social Justice Principles of 'caring for our common home' and 'looking after the poor and sick.' This is 'Catholicism in action' and the children will gain a lot from this initiative.
Student Representative Council
I am currently in the process of reviewing our School’s SRC Policy. In this process, we will develop a Policy and Procedure for Holy Name School in this area. If you have any questions or suggestions in this area, please feel free to drop me an email.
We want the SRC to move into a model of Young Catholic Leadership with the children participating in initiatives both in school (recycling, reducing our carbon footprint and using less plastic) and in the community (community cleanups, Take 3 for the Sea and supporting Catholic Care). Being an active young Catholic is very important and allows the children to learn about the concepts of Social Justice and Service to Others.
Forster Tuncurry Community Kitchen
Catholic Care is commencing a Community Kitchen that will run from our new Parish Hall. Our students and staff will be getting onboard as volunteers and have included the request for volunteers in case there are members of our school community who are able to support this initiative.
This past week we have had the opportunity to celebrate two very special groups of people who contribute to our school community in many significant and valuable ways. May 16th was National Support Staff Day and this week is National Volunteer Week. Volunteers and support staff were profiled on our school Facebook page as well as being featured in CSO MNNews, if you' like to read the full articles please click on the following links.
We will mark the significance of National Reconciliation Week from May 27th until June 6th through prayer, Acknowledgment of Country, sharing of stories and knowledge, and art and craft activities. If you'd like more information about National Reconciliation Week go to https://www.reconciliation.org.au/.
Wishing you a beautiful weekend
Simone Maloney
Learning Support Teacher/Primary Coordinator
Support for students with increased anxiety
We have enjoyed seeing even more of our students this week as they have returned to school. Many students, whilst initially a little apprehensive, have transitioned back into the school routine happily and not needed additional support. It is understandable however that many people in our community, including children, have found the events of the past few months difficult and are trying to navigate the transition back to school with a heightened level of anxiety. If your child is experiencing difficulties please don't hesitate to contact us for support. Your child's teacher is the always the first port of call however from there, you can access the Learning Support Team by contacting me through the school office or at simone.maloney@mn.catholic.edu.au. I may be able to connect you with a Parenting Educator, Family Support Service or Allied Health specialist or perhaps together we need to develop a personalised support plan for your child. We also have a School Psychologist and Education Officer who both have an area of expertise in the support of disability, wellbeing and mental health of children. There are many outside agencies offering services and resources that may be supportive of your family. Please find below a collection of resources that have been put together by the Youth Mental Health Project and the School Link GOT IT worker. Some are COVID specific, others are general resources for parents.
Sleep
Routine and Habits
https://childmind.org/article/helping-kids-back-school-routine/
https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/healthy-homes/supporting-healthy-habits
Overuse of Technology
https://parents.au.reachout.com/skills-to-build/wellbeing/technology-and-teenagers
https://parents.au.reachout.com/skills-to-build/wellbeing/things-to-try-technology
Library of Factsheets to support good mental health
https://headspace.org.au/health-professionals/resource-library/fact-sheets/
https://beyou.edu.au/resources/news/covid-19-supporting-schools
School refusal
https://beaconhouse.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Supporting-Transitions-2.pdf
Take gentle care of each other,
Simone Maloney
Learning Support Coordinator