Dear parents and caregivers
As restrictions have continued to be lifted and 82% of our students have now returned to classroom learning, it has been heartening to see the excitement of students and teachers alike as our school buzzes with life.
While it has been challenging for all in our community to adapt to the ongoing changes, there is an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the leadership and shared community responsibility that has meant that children can return to school, that parents can return to work and that we can all begin to enjoy time together again.
We hope that you have felt supported to decide whether to send your child to school or to engage in their learning from home, depending on your own family’s circumstances. Our school staff have certainly done their very best to deliver a quality Catholic education to all our students, irrespective of whether they were being taught at school or at home.
Since the start of Term Two, we have been actively planning for all students to return to classroom learning as soon as recommended by Government and health authorities. As the health and safety of all our students and staff is our highest priority, we have now introduced a range of sustainable cleaning, hygiene and safety measures and have made some changes to our school practices that are designed to minimise risks of COVID-19 transmission in our school environment now and into the future.
On 11 May, following a comprehensive School Readiness Review of all Catholic schools in Western Australia, Catholic Education Western Australia has determined that Catholic schools across the State will return to classroom teaching and learning for all students from Monday, 18 May.
This recommendation aligns with the latest advice from both State and Commonwealth Governments and has been made with the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and our whole community as the first priority.
Students may continue to learn from home if they, or a member of their immediate family, are immune-compromised or are otherwise considered at-risk medically. Parents who plan to keep their children home to continue learning remotely are asked to please contact the school. These students will continue to be supported by school staff, however from 18 May, these students may not be engaged in the same learning program delivered in classrooms.
If your child is worried about attending school due to COVID-19, please remember you can find resources prepared by CEWA’s Psychology Team here https://covid19.cewa.edu.au/wellbeing/. These may assist in supporting your child at this time, and we would encourage you to speak to your child’s teacher if you have concerns about how they are coping with being back at school or would like to know more about support available.
I am certain you share our staff’s joy and gratitude that our students are able to return to school to resume classroom learning together. As members of our school community, we ask that you join us in continuing to pray for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic at home and abroad.
Please find a summary of information of Catholic Education’s COVID-19 response at this link: 2020.05.14_COVID-19 Return to School Guidelines_Parents.
Yours sincerely
Yvette Clifton
Principal