Dear Parents,
In the last week we have been notified of 7 children who have tested positive for Covid. Parents with children in each of the affected classes have been notified via the SchoolAPP. We have also had 52 children registered for our Learning Support Centre Learning@Home programme since the beginning of last week - some are now back at school. This programme is for those who are unable to come to school because they have to isolate - due to being a household contact and/or because they have Covid. Anne Cato, Brigitte Holmes and Abby Sorenson are organising the programme and delivering Learning packs to the families involved. Thank you to this team, they are doing a great job.
There are going to be more cases of children at St Mary’s getting COVID, or being close contacts. It is important that you talk to your children that no one is to blame for Covid. It’s a nasty virus and it is very likely that most people at some stage are going to get it. This was some sage advice given in the JPC newsletter this week.
If people catch Covid or are close contacts, they deserve our sympathy and understanding, not our judgement or fear.
In a Catholic School our expectations are that we demonstrate support, compassion and love to anyone who finds themselves in a difficult situation because of Covid
A reminder to you: What you need to do
You and your whānau should watch for symptoms
If any develop, get tested immediately
Then, stay at home until you receive the result. With RATS it is immediate.
Symptoms of COVID-19
Less common symptoms include diarrhoea, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, malaise, chest pain, abdominal pain, joint pain, or confusion/irritability.
It was really good to be able to celebrate Mass together as a school on Friday. I heard lots of comments from children saying it was so cool being outside for this celebration. Father Thomas was very accommodating and we had an awesome school Mass.Thanks to our two new DRS' Lorna Dobson and Sara Mines for the work they put into the planning of and set up for the Mass.
Today starts the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. Each team held Liturgies. The ashes from childrens' burnt promises were blessed by Father Thomas and used for blessing their foreheads.
On Thursday a St John's Educator is in school to train this year’s First Aiders. These children do a wonderful job in the playground each lunchtime.
We are still planning on having our Swimming Sports for our Yr 4 to 6 students. The date is Thursday 10th March. Please click on the link below to ensure we have the correct details for all our students. Swimming Sports Form. If we have too many children away we will postpone the sports to the fourth term. A decision will be made on Friday on whether we go ahead with the sports.
Anne Cato is retiring and will leave St Mary’s at the end of Term. While we will be very sorry to see Anne go, we are happy for her as she looks ahead to her well deserved retirement. Anne has been Assistant Principal since 2009 and during this time has taken on a huge number of responsibilities. Anne was appointed here to champion gifted children and to investigate the use of ICT Tools in children’s learning. Over the years this has been more around future-focused learning. Anne has introduced many very worthwhile initiatives in our school for our children. She is going to leave a big hole in our team and will be hugely missed. We will make sure she gets a great farewell.
Have a great week and keep safe.
David Macmillan,
Principal.
