Dear Parents & Caregivers,
We made it! After a disrupted term full of challenges, we have made it to the school holidays. Despite what this term has thrown at us, we are very proud and thankful of the way our school community has embraced the ever-changing restrictions and masks. Although our children have experienced a number of relief teachers and constant changes in their class, they have been fantastic in responding and adapting to ensure the learning has continued. They have well and truly earned the upcoming 2-week break!
HOLY WEEK
This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week with Palm Sunday. This is the most solemn period of our liturgical calendar as we prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus. The children have spent the past week discussing the importance of this season in our Catholic lives and I encourage parents to take the opportunity to make this a focal point of family conversations in the lead up to the celebration of Easter. St Andrew's will be celebrating masses to mark the events of Holy Week. Mass times can be accessed here: http://clarkson.perthcatholic.org.au/#mass-times
WINTER UNIFORM
As we move into Term 2, we have a 2-week transition period for the wearing of Winter Uniform for the children. Below is the Winter uniform requirements for Term 2 and 3. If you are unsure or require items, please contact the uniform shop via the links below. As a Catholic school, we take great pride in wearing our uniform correctly and we will once again be encouraging this throughout the school with our weekly 'Uniform Award' for classes wearing their uniform most proudly.
SOCIAL REPORTS
These were released via SEQTA ENGAGE on Tuesday. They provide a snapshot of children in their social and learning habits in the first term of the year. Formal academic reports are sent electronically at the conclusion of Term 2, but staff are always available to meet and discuss your child's journey. If you are yet to access SEQTA ENGAGE or need assistance, please email mailto:ithelp@stfrancisbutler.wa.edu.au
EASTER RAFFLE - P&F
Tomorrow, Friday 8th April, we will be streaming the raffle draw for our Easter Raffle winners. Thanks to our cutting edge technology provided by the P&F in 2021, we will stream the raffle draw to all parents and children from the hall. The draw will take place at 12pm and can be accessed via this link:
https://youtu.be/o6h2ucY-wUA
COVID UPDATE #12
Our weekly COVID update will be sent through tomorrow afternoon.
TERM 2 ARRANGEMENTS - EASED RESTRICTIONS
In line with the Education Minister and WA Health guidelines, restrictions to begin Term 2 have been somewhat eased. These have now been clarified and I am pleased to announce the following:
- Masks still in place for Year 3 and above
- Parents may attend assemblies, class performances - year level only
- Whole School Assemblies are still not permitted
- Merit Award assemblies will return - with parents allowed to attend (these will be conducted in the hall with only merit award winners attending to be presented by leadership)
- Administration will reopen to parents
- P&F Meetings resume in person
- Parent-Teacher meetings resume in person
- Uniform shop reopens in person
- Regular volunteers (once per week or more) are still required to provide Proof of Vaccination
- Parents are still not permitted in classrooms
- Parents are still required to meet in the 'Student Collection Area' before and after school to drop off and collect their children
- Playgroup returns Week 2 (Monday 8:30-10:15am)
- Before and After School Sport returns
There will be a number of events that will once again be permitted but this will be in line with WA Health guidelines. Please see the attached below.
FREE DRESS DAY - UKRAINE
As Miss Campbell mentions below, tomorrow we finish the term with a FREE DRESS for Ukraine. Whilst we are fortunate to look forward to the school holidays and time with our families, we finish the term with the people of Ukraine set firmly in our prayers.
Finally, a sincere thank you to all our parents, children and staff for their understanding and patience this term as we navigated the close contacts and confirmed positive cases. I realise all the changing restrictions and constant communication from the school can be somewhat overwhelming, but the support our school has received from parents and children has been outstanding. Our goal and number one priority is always to keep our children safe and hopefully we have managed that successfully over this term. I'm sure the challenge won't stop now, but given how the staff, parents and children have responded, I am confident our school community can overcome any further hurdles. This term has been another shining example of my favourite St Francis quote;
'Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; suddenly, you are doing the impossible'
Wishing everyone in our community a restful and holy Easter holiday break. I hope parents and children have the opportunity to celebrate Easter as a family and enjoy the downtime that the holidays bring. Stay safe.
Best wishes
Jason Baker
Principal
