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22 May 2020

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Dear Families

Today signals the end, we hope, to what has been an unforgettable period in all our lives. On Monday we look forward to welcoming our students back in a full-time capacity and commence face-to-face teaching, with HBL provided for students who may still be at home for one more week. If you decide to keep your child at home, please contact the school office.

The return will present a few logistical challenges with drop-off and pick up, as parents are unable to be on school grounds. We have anticipated these so have made the following arrangements:
  • Morning drop off will be extended until 9.00 am.  Children arriving between 8.45-9.00am will go straight to class and will not be marked late.
  • We strongly encourage parents to use drive-through in the morning and afternoon.
  • In the afternoon, Blue and Green Colour Houses will be picked up from 2.40-2.55pm. Red and Yellow Colour Houses will be picked up from 2.55-3.10pm.
  • Exiting the car park will be via King Street or Condamine Street.  Be extra vigilant when leaving the car park.
  • Playground pickup will be from the Gordon Street gate. Pick up will be the same as car park pick up. Park in Gordon Street or surrounding streets. Children will be accompanied to their place of collection.
  • Be very clear with your child the arrangements for afternoon pickup.
  • Buses will be running as usual.
The school will monitor and evaluate these arrangements during the week. There may be a need to adjust them as we go. With over 180 families at St Kieran’s, we will be relying on everyone’s cooperation for the arrangements to work.

Canteen is planned to re-open from Week 6. With school returning a week earlier than expected, deliveries need to be organised, as well as a roster. Please text or call Hannah Davidson with your availability on 0438 433 231. New volunteers are always welcome. Social distancing rules will be in place so there will be adjustments to the menu and restrictions on the number of volunteers.

We also need volunteers to assist each afternoon with car park and the Gordon Street gate. Please contact the school office if you are able to help.

As I mentioned earlier this week, our attention will be on the wellbeing of our students and families. This next phase is one of recovery and will bring with it a wide range of emotions and challenges. We need to look out for each other and to be kind to others and ourselves. During the remainder of the term, we will focus on settling our students back to a normal life, on being together and learning with each other.

God bless

Michael Gallagher
Principal

Volunteers for Dismissal

Due to current COVID procedures and restrictions volunteers are needed to help ease school dismissal. This would require helping to man the carpark and Gordon Street exit to assist student pick-up.

If you can help please contact the school office 9949 3523 or email.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

2020 Terms

Thurs 2 July: End Term 2
Tuesday 21 July: Term 3 Commences
Thursday 24 September:  End Term 3 tbc
Monday 12 October: Term 4 Commences
Wednesday 16 December: End Term 4 for students
Please note that dates may be subject to change.  Remember to check your Compass App for any updates.

School Dates 

May
Mon 25:  All students return to school
Wed 27 Promotional Video shoot 
June
Mon 8:  Public Holiday
July
Fri 3: Pupil Free Day - CSO mandated

Please Note
  • Parents are requested not to come into the school playground.  Drop off and pick up via the drive through zone in the car park.  
  • If your child is showing any sign of illness, please keep them at home.  Any child showing symptoms will be sent home.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS

Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrate a birthday this week.


18 May: Stella N and Annabel N
21 May:  April U
23 May: Hamish G

SCHOOL  NEWS

Enrolments 2021

Do you have a sibling starting Kindergarten in 2021? Enrolments are now open.

Regards
    Julia Postle

Religious Education

We are an Easter people. Our focus is on the risen Lord. Our Church celebrates Easter with Scripture readings that focus on the stories of the Resurrection, Jesus’ return to Heaven and the sending of the Holy Spirit. It is the celebration of Pentecost that concludes the Catholic Churches celebration of Easter.
 
The fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost are celebrated in joyful exultation as one feast day, or better, as one “great Sunday”.
General Norms for the Liturgical Year and Calendar, #22
 
Over the next few weeks students will learn about two special days in the churches calendar. Firstly the Ascension, celebrated this coming Sunday, where the risen Jesus returns to Heaven promising to send a helper to his people. Secondly, Pentecost, next Sunday, where that helper, in the form of the Holy Spirit, ignites fire in the hearts of the apostles.

Matthew’s Gospel reminds us that even though Jesus has gone the Apostles carried on his work.  Matt: 28: 16- 20. Surely this message is for us too. We can carry on with Jesus’ work spreading love, joy and justice with the promise of assistance from the Holy Spirit.

Yours in Catholic Education,
     Mrs Kerrie Wetzlar

COVID 19 Procedures for Students

Students are to:
  • Wash their hands when arriving at school
  • Wash hands after recess, lunch and sport activities
  • Bring their own water bottles.  Do not drink from bubblers.
  • Sneeze or cough into their elbow
  • Not to touch their face
  • Not share cups, food, drinks or utensils

COVID 19 Procedures for Parents

  • Do not enter the school.  Please drop children at the gate.
  • If you have been given permission to enter the school, sanitise hands before entry.
  • Late arrivals and early leavers will be entered by the office staff.
  • Keep students at home if unwell.

COVID 19 Procedures for Visitors

  • Sanitise hands before entry into the school
  • All visitors required to sign in using the Compass device.  When finished, wipe screen with antibacterial wipe/spray.
  • Complete the questionnaire
A school hygienist has been employed until the end of term and is sanitising high contact surfaces.  You may wish to provide your child with sanitising wipes which they can use for their personal belongings and workspace. 

Library Lessons

Library lessons will continue next week for the students in K-2, however, borrowing will not be available until further notice. If your child has library books at home, they may be returned from next week as they need to be in a period of quarantine (this applies to all students K-6).
 
NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME (NSS)

Next Wednesday the whole school will be participating in NSS after morning tea. Last year over 1 million students in Australia and New Zealand participated!

What is NSS?
National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. 

By facilitating NSS we aim to:

  • promote the value of reading and literacy
  • promote the value and fun of books
  • promote an Australian writer and publisher
  • promote storytime activities in public libraries and communities around the country
  • provide opportunities to involve parents, grandparents, the media and others to participate in, and enjoy the occasion.


Premier's Reading Challenge

Congratulations to the 30 students who have already completed the PRC this year and well done to those students who are logging their books to reach their goal. Remember, the PRC closes on August 28.

It is still quite difficult to access hard copies of books but don’t forget there are some very good online eBooks:

Login Id: SKMV
Password: school
and
Storybox:
username: stkieransmv
password: school
 
Many classes are also using Epic! to access books.

Vinnies Request

 
For those of you who are financially able at this time, St Vincent de Paul are looking for the following items to be brought into school and given to your child’s class teacher. We will then deliver them to the collection and distribution centre at Brookvale.
 
Things that are in desperate need are:
  • Nappies: Newborn, 6-11kg and 10-15 kg Nappy Pants.
  • Nappy rash powders and cream
  • Baby wipes
  • Baby formula
  • Baby bath wash
  • Baby bottles (BPA free)
  • Baby food as well as any tinned food.
Once again, thank you for your unending support and please be totally at peace to know that we are only asking for support from our community who are able to offer it at this time.

Insights - Michael Grose

Michael Grose is a former teacher and one of Australia's leading parenting and educational writers and speakers. He is the author of nine books for parents, plus 'Parenting Ideas' which offers a wide variety of parenting and educational resources from renowned experts including himself.

We would like to share one of his articles with you:: How to prevent family conflicts during the coronavirus pandemic 

Parent Hub

The Catholic Schools Office Broken Bay has launched The Parent Hub COVID 19 to support parents and carers during this unprecedented time.  The Hub includes information on Home Based Learning, fee relief, wellbeing, working from home and other helpful resources.  To access this site click here Parent Hub.

PARISH NEWS

Masses

Parish Masses have recommenced with a limit of 10 people only.  You can still view Masses online
For all Parish Bulletins from the Catholic Community of North Harbour please click here.

Parish Masses Live Streaming Link or via YouTube

WALKING THE WAY

Walking the Way

This is a school-based initiative in the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay, designed to encourage parents in their sacred task of accompanying their children on their journey with God.  There are four elements:
  • Book and Video
  • E-Bulletin
  • Parent Gatherings
  • Annual Retreat
To access their latest E-Bulletin please click here.
 

COMMUNITY NEWS

Free Online Workshop from CatholicCare 

CatholicCare’s ‘Growing Big Lives’ series will be delivering their second workshop online FREE.  Please click on the link for further information. Workshops are targeted for parents of primary school ages children.

  • Workshop – Mental Health | Friday 29th May | 10am – 11am

To register email: intakefs@catholiccaredbb.org.au

Copyright © 2020 St Kieran’s Manly Vale, All rights reserved.


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