Dear Parents
Wednesday evening saw more than thirty members of our school community take part in a webinar organised for our parents called “Keeping You and Your Family Safe Online.” The presentation lasted over 90 minutes and covered a range of topics including recommended screen times, high-risk apps, setting parental controls and establishing positive attitudes towards the responsible use of the internet. Presenter, Leonie Smith, also known as the Cyber Safety Lady, gave great insight into the many hidden perils of online use for children, as well as a few positive aspects. Leonie has very kindly allowed our community to access a recording of the presentation for the coming week. Use the registration details shared in last week’s newsletter to gain access to the recording.
Planning Day - Wednesday
The Google Form sent during the week asking for feedback will remain open until Monday morning. The staff will use this coming Wednesday for planning the remainder of the term. School will be open for supervision on this day but there will be no Home-Based Learning at home or at school. Please use this LINK to complete the form to indicate whether you will require supervision next week.
Supervision
As COVID cases creep across the city, with one positive case in a Northern Beaches school this week, and the ongoing advice from the Premier, I ask that you discern the need to send your child to school. The school is open for students who need to come. No student will be turned away nor questioned about their need to be at school. However, as the duration of lockdown progresses, we have observed an increase in student attendance at school over the past weeks. This places increased pressure on limited resources for HBL, particularly access to devices, and the reduced number of teachers on site.
Trivia Night
The P&F has organised an online trivia night for Saturday 21 August. Evergreen Music will be running the event and registration will be available next week. This fun night will allow families to connect while taking part in a fun competition. Points will be awarded to individual families as well as the colour house that each family belongs to when they score a correct answer. The P&F and school will cover the registration costs, so I encourage you to get the family together around the screen and join in the fun. We look forward to seeing you all there.
Book Week
In preparation for Book Week in week 7. we ask students to dress up as their favourite book character for their class Zoom meeting either next Thursday or Friday. Teachers will provide more detail in next week's HBL.
Feast of the Assumption
This Sunday marks the Feast of the Assumption, which recognises The Blessed Mary Virgin’s role in the life of Jesus and the early Church. Pius XII defined the Assumption as the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the close of her earthly life, taken up, body and soul, into the glory of heaven. During these troubling times, we can view Mary as a woman of strength and pray for her intercession in our lives.
A Prayer for Our Lady
Lord God, we rejoice because Mary was taken into the glory of heaven. Like Mary, may our lives be an offering of thanksgiving and praise to you. As Mary was first to see the need of the young couple at the marriage at Cana, may we be quick to respond to those who come our way in need. As Mary stood faithfully at the Cross in her Son’s greatest trial, may we be loyal in our friendships and commitments. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen.
God bless,
Michael Gallagher
Principal
