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Dear Parent and Guardian Community.
Another week of surprises. Thank you for your cooperation this week. We have to keep reminding ourselves, this is a State of Disaster, and although it may be inconvenient now, for the greater good, hard decisions must be made.
Essential Workers: With the new Workers Permit, we are asking all families who are attending school as essential Workers to supply a copy of the Workers permit they have been issued.
Vumnerable Children: There has been some further refining of the definition of Vulnerable Children From Catholic Education Melbourne. Vulnerable children in Metropolitan Melbourne are defined as children in out of home care, children known to Child Protection and other children identified by schools as being socially or medically vulnerable. In Regional Victoria, vulnerable children are also all children with disabilities. This reflects the government’s direction to limit children attending for onsite supervision and reduce movement of people as much as possible in Melbourne, whilst allowing for slightly higher numbers of students attending for onsite supervision in Regional Victoria.
Remote Learning feedback: We have been overwhelmed by the feedback on the Positives of Remote Learning. It was great to shift our Mindsets to the positives.
I thought I would share some of the responses so far.
What have you as a parent gained from this time?
I love being around my children, I love providing hot lunches when I work from home. I have a better understanding of my child’s strengths and weaknesses and have used this to help me to choose a secondary\school that will work with what motivates my child. My child has not done as well with remote learning as she does in the classroom but the skills she has gained and the resilience and ability to navigate in an imperfect situation is very valuable.
Nice to see what my child is learning, have also seen areas where they have gaps in their learning
A much better understanding of what the kids do at school!! Seeing what the kids are doing in comparison to their classmates makes it much clearer to see where their difficulties lie. School reports and PT interviews are quite diplomatic - you get an understanding that there are areas that need working on, however very little idea where to start in supporting that. I wish we had done this years ago for our son in Grade 6 (SERIOUSLY - we both wouldn't mind if this happened regularly through the year, although we acknowledge that we are in a position where it is not too disruptive). And we have had lots of time together, without competing outside interests.
A comment about this response – Singapore now do every year. Since the SARS outbreak, they realised the likelihood of it happening again were high so it would be good to keep their skills up, plus they saw the benefits of it.
A much greater insight into our children's learning and curriculum, their individual learning styles and how they interact with their teachers - there is a real respect from each of the children for their teachers - which is a credit to our teachers who have built this trusted relationship with limited face to face teaching. Quality family time - a chance to pause, and focus on what matters
Enjoyed extra family time, less rushing around, insight into learning styles and learning level, better visibility of what they are learning in the classroom, better visibility of the amazing support provided by teaching staff, great communication from the school.
One parent asked about what happens in Finland for Sport. Well, I tried my luck and emailed Pasi Sahlberg, and well, he answered and gave me an answer. Pasi was so taken with a few of our answers I shared with him that he asked if he could see more of the answers.
Physical education is an important part of every Finnish school in all levels of schooling. It is stipulated in the National Core Curriculum and has a strong focus on health and wellbeing. Finnish schools typically don't have any competitive sports in them nor have they school sport teams. When kids do sports, it is always done out of school hours. In addition to this, the new regulation from 2015 or so requires that all schools must schedule their daily timetable so that all children will have opportunity to at least one hour physical activity and play every day while at school. Unfortunately, these measures are not enough to stop the overall physical condition and health (especially obesity) from getting worse. Pasi Sahlberg.
Building Update: Works start on Underpinning the Parker Streets wall and a lot of drainage works are being completed on Cecil Street. This is to make sure that the problems do not return. As an Essential Service, it appaers that our Building Works can continue.
Community Café: Please join us every Friday during the lock down as we try to connect as a community. We will continue to hold them on Fridays at 11 during these times.
Meeting ID is meet.google.com/ddt-tmdn-ews
Schoolzine App: A Reminder: Now is the time to change over to the Schoolzine app as we will stop using the Schoolbag app soon. If you have not downloaded it yet, there is a link on the newsletter page. But basically, download SZAPP, search for the school, sign up and put in the Code 2951. Our school calendar has now been linked to the app.
Community Skills and Passions: Once again, disrupted by Covid 19, but please complete the survey if you have not already.
https://forms.gle/ALE7FawUC6aAKhE68
I too will be working from home for the next few weeks. My son’s oncologist has advised me I can no longer work onsite. I know many are in similar situations as we get through the next few weeks.
God Bless and Stay Safe
Anthony
Prayers during a Pandemic.
The early Christians prayed in the church of the home. Once more, in troubled times when public worship has to be restricted, we are called to pray in “the domestic church”, always aware of the promise of Jesus, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.”—Matthew 18:20
IN THIS CHALLENGING TIME
Lord Jesus Christ, our true physician and healer, be merciful to us and bring us your aid in these troubled times. Heal all our sickness and every affliction of your people. Drive out our infirmities of soul and body; free us from all disease and especially from this pestilence.
We place in your gentle Heart the elderly, the frail, people with disability, children, young people and families, our indigenous peoples, those who are poor, lonely and isolated. As you walk with us, free them from fear, and give them patience and hope together with our loving care.
In your mercy deal also with the causes of our pitiful condition, that in curing our lack of faith and spiritual weakness, you may also remedy our bodily ills.
We place our trust in you, the risen Lord, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
FOR THOSE WHO CARE FOR THE SICK
Father of mercies, we thank you for all who care for the sick.
When they diagnose, give them patience.
When they protect the vulnerable, give them your protection.
When they work to heal, give them strength.
When they comfort, give them consolation.
When they are tired, give them rest.
When they are discouraged, bring them your hope.
May we welcome and respect them as we support one another in this time of trial.
FOR THOSE SEEKING A CURE FOR THE VIRUS
Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten the minds of women and men of medical science who are working to find a solution to this viral infection. Guide their research and help them discover what you provide in creation, sure ways of control, protection, inoculation and healing. Strengthen them in their tiring work and enrich in them the virtue of hope.
FOR THOSE WHO GOVERN AND REPRESENT US
Eternal Wisdom, guide our leaders called to serve us in our nation and its States. May they respond to the challenges of this affliction with prudence and sound judgement. With foresight, may their planning alleviate the economic burdens, compensate for losses, protect employment and ensure ample food for the poor and isolated. 1
PRAYERS DURING A PANDEMIC COMPILED BY Bishop Peter J. Elliott Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne
Class Representatives
We had our first online meeting and it was lovely to meet as a group. Each Rep was able to share the unique ways they are supporting their class while we are working remotely. We also discussed some ideas we could do as a school community and we will work on these and share something soon!
Below is a screenshot of our first meeting.
Wellbeing Resource- Altruistic August
Altruism is vital for the human race and each of our lives is supported by countless acts of kindness from other people.
Yet in our world today, so much is directing us to focus on ourselves - and we forget that happiness comes by caring for others. We want to change that. So this August we're asking everyone to do a kind act daily. Let's spread a wave of kindness all around the world.
The Altruistic August Calendar has daily ideas to do as a family.