Dear Parents and Carers,

Yesterday, I received the wonderful news that we are about to open up and return to a more normal school setting. 

From Monday February 28, the majority of restrictions in schools in NSW will be lifted. Having students and staff able to mix across the school and our parents back on site will enable for full participation and sharing between home and school.  

All parents and visitors are welcome back on site from Monday.  It is essential that every time you visit, you sign in and out using COMPASS at the front office.  Please support us with this and not go straight to the classrooms.  

We are very pleased that we held off making the decision to have online Meet the Teacher meetings, Kindergarten Parent Welcome and our Yr 6 Student Leadership Assembly. We are now able to host these important events with everyone during the next few weeks.

Kindergarten Parent Meeting and Morning Tea
On Thursday March 3, at 9 am we will host a parent information session in the Kindergarten classroom. Staff will explain the daily and weekly schedule and describe what learning looks like in the Kinder classroom.

Following the meeting, parents will have a chance to meet other parents whilst enjoying a cuppa. Younger siblings are invited to attend and we will set up a supervised play area for them. Please do not attend if you or your children are sick. 

Meet the Parent Meetings
In Week 6, teachers will be available for individual parent teacher PT meetings after school. This will give parents a chance to talk with their child's teacher and discuss goals for the semester. We really hope all of our parents take up this opportunity. If you prefer a phone call, please let your child's teacher know. We are currently organising for parents to book PT meetings via COMPASS. Front office staff are no longer able to make bookings on your behalf. If you have any difficulties, please let the relevant teacher know.

Special School Assembly and Family Picnic - Year 6 Student Leadership Induction and Kinder Welcome
On Monday  March 21 at 12 noon, we will have our first whole school assembly in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) in a long time. Hopefully many of our parents and grandparents can attend on the day. Following our Year 6 Student Leadership Induction, Kindergarten welcome and regular assembly, we will have a family picnic in the front garden. Parents are asked to bring along a picnic rug and food and drink for their families. Those children whose parents are unable to make it will also join in with their teachers. If the weather is like it is this week, we may need to have the picnic in the PAC and under the COLA….. If so it will be noisy! 

Pick Up Arrangements
As student safety is our number one priority, we have decided to remain with walking the students to pick up zones.  With restrictions lifted, we will return to having two pick up spots. You may choose between the end of the oval near the Church car park and the front garden near St Mary's statue. Parents are welcome to come inside the school grounds and socialise. You are welcome to make use of the playground but we ask you to please not come up to the COLA area where the bus children congregate. To do so you would need to sign in and out.  

Sick children
Thank you very much for keeping your sick children at home and coming to collect them if necessary. We are very grateful for your support and understanding. 

If your child tests positive it is important that you let the school office know staight away so that the parents of that class are aware. Names of students are never disclosed. 

RATS
Next week, eight more Rapid Antigen Test kits will  be sent home with your eldest child.  From next week, parents are asked to use them,  when their child shows symptoms of COVID.  This will be the final round from the Government to be supplied through schools. 

Student Information Updates
Recently, you will have received two blue forms about Student Information that need to be returned to school as soon as possible. Parents are asked to carefully check and update contact details, mobile numbers, emergency contacts and permission status. It is really important that your emergency contacts are aware that they may be called if we can not contact you. 

School Fees Remissions
We know that the last three years have greatly impacted many of our families and we do not wish to add any additional stress around school fees. Parents are asked to set up periodic payments to manage their fees. If you are experiencing financial stress, please make contact with Mrs Hazell or me so we can assist you to apply for a remission. 

Catholic Leaders Retreat and System Days
On Tuesday next week, I will join Mrs Jacqui Hefferan, Principal at Carroll College and Mrs Jo Wain, Principal at St Bernards to travel to Bowral for the annual Catholic Education Leaders’ Retreat and System meetings. Archbishop Christopher Prowse and Mr Ross Fox, Director of Catholic Education will lead in our faith formation and challenge us as leaders in contemporary catholic schools. Our Assistant Principal, Mrs Sue Heffernan will be filling in for me in my absence.

Prayers for Ukraine
We pray for the people of Ukraine and for world leaders to make the right decisions. Pope Francis has called on us to pray to St Mary Queen of Peace. 

I invite everyone to make this coming 2nd March, Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace: let believers dedicate themselves intensively to prayer and fasting. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.