This week marks the first week of having all our classes together for the first time in eighteen weeks! That is equivalent to three Christmas holiday breaks! One student commented on Monday that it felt like the first day of the year; it felt that way for most of us at school. As with last week, the return of our students was delightful, and we look forward to another six and a half weeks of school before the end of the year. 

The return means opportunities for our students and teachers to re-establish relationships and develop learning habits that may have become a little rusty! While everybody has settled in well this first week, it will take another week or two for everyone to feel more relaxed. Talk with your child as to how they are doing and speak to the teacher if you have concerns. 

Ms Anna Marsella, the new principal for 2022, will be visiting on Monday and we look forward to welcoming her to St Kieran’s. 

Upcoming Events 

With the remaining weeks left of school, we are keen to provide the students with many of the opportunities that they missed during lockdown. With restrictions easing but many still in place, we are trying to determine what we can and can’t do. We are seeking clarification on these but making plans in case. We have re-booked the swimming carnival for Friday 3 December. It will be for a half-day only, and only for students eligible to compete at the next level; we are unsure of parental involvement at this stage. Other events such as an onsite P&F meeting is uncertain, as is Carols Night to name a few. 

A Positive COVID case? 

What will happen if St Kieran’s has a positive COVID case? CSBB has issued guidelines for schools in the event of someone in the school community being identified as a positive COVID case. These guidelines follow protocols put in place by the Public Health Unit (PHU) and CSNSW/CSBB. The response requires the school to be closed for two days. 

Day 1 

Step 1 – School is notified by a parent or Public Health Unit (PHU) of a positive COVID case in the school 

Step 2 – Families and staff are notified of school closure through a Compass notification / email 

Step 3 – School notifies other relevant authorities of school closure e.g., NSW Police, State Transit etc. 

Step 4 – contract tracing begins in conjunction with PHU, CSBB and CSNSW 

Step 5 – school is closed for deep clean 

 Day 2 

Step 6 – school notifies community of resumption date 

Our school would be guided by the PHU and CSBB. No student, parent or teacher would be allowed onsite and contract tracing would determine who were close or casual contacts. Wherever possible, students are being separated into their cohort groups and prevented from mixing across grades. 

Afternoon Dismissal 

Thank you to all our parents for your cooperation with afternoon dismissal. Please try to adhere to the designated pick-up time for the car park. If you arrive early you will need to drive around or park. Alternatively, you can pick up at the Gordon Street gate. Please wear a mask if you are waiting at the gate and social distance. 

Tell Them from Me Survey (TTFM) 

Each year CSBB distributes the TTFM survey to parents, students and teachers. This will be available next week for completion. More details in the newsletter. I encourage you to complete it this year. There is one question in the survey which asks about the “likelihood of recommending the school to a friend”. The answer is a score of 1-10. Many surveys ask this question. It is used to determine what is known as a Net Promoter Score. Interestingly, a score of 9 or 10 gives a positive score for the organisation; 7 or 8 is a passive score and 6 or below is a detractor. I’ll leave the rest with you! 

World Teachers’ Day 

After a week or two back at school, I am sure most of our parents appreciate the role of the teacher. They not only teach but they are psychologists, judges, doctors, police, substitute parents, role models, comedians among a myriad of other roles. I would like to thank all our teachers for the extraordinary work they have done over the past four months and the rest of the year. As with our parents, it has been an exceedingly challenging time in our lives, but they have worked tirelessly while being there for their students. Thank you to the P&F for a lovely morning tea. God bless all our teachers on this day of well-deserved recognition. 

God bless, 

   Michael Gallagher
   Principal

All Saints and All Souls 
Let us not let a secular culture take over a Christian Remembrance.  All Saints and All Souls Day is when we especially remember those who have died; the saints, the sinners and all those in between. 
 
Christian denominations do not view death as an ending, rather as a beginning of a life in the Kingdom of God with the risen Jesus. A Kingdom which we seek to bring here on earth.

“Indeed for your faithful, Lord, life is changed not ended, and, when this earthly dwelling turns to dust, an eternal dwelling is made ready for them in heaven.”
 
Because life is changed, not ended, we continue to pray for and remember all those who have gone before us in death. Our prayers for those who have died and their prayers for us are the way we celebrate this relationship.
 
All Saints Day is Monday1 November. The reading of the day is the Beatitudes. Mt 5:1-12. This reading gives a blueprint for attaining sainthood. All Souls Day is Tuesday 2 November.
 
All Saints' Day is also known as All Hallows' Day. ‘Hallow’ being the old name for 'holy ones.' This is a moment to share family memories of those who are now with the risen Lord. As a family you may wish to pray for the members of your family who have been called to our Father in Heaven.

St Vincent De Paul Christmas Hamper Call Out
Each December our school and parish community collect, package and distribute Christmas hampers to those in need in our area. The many hands of our school community have joined together to make this giving and sharing in our community a joyful event.

We are asking for a team of parents and friends to assist with this task. Preparation and distribution are completed before the end of the school term. If you can assist in anyway, please complete the “Expression of Interest” linked here.  Assistance is required for planning, sorting of donations, assembling delivery runs and delivery of the hampers. You may wish to head up a team or assist in one stage of preparation. All help is gratefully accepted and guided by a St Vincent De Paul representative.  

Yours in Religious Education,
     Mrs Kerrie Wetzlar

Leaving students: To assist with planning class groups for 2022 please complete this google form if your child will be leaving St Kieran's at the end of this year to attend another school. It is a government requirement that we send a student transfer note to the school they will be attending in 2022. Therefore we require information regarding any leaving students including Year 6 students. Please complete by Wednesday 20 October. 

In addition to the google form please notify the school in writing if your child is not returning next year (K - 5 only).

If you have a child starting in 2022 please forward their application to the school as soon as possible.  Applications are available from the school website. 

The Canteen has reopened for online orders only.  Orders will be taken to the classroom for students.  There will be no over-the-counter orders or service. More information to follow.
Facebook