NOTRE DAME CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL
Term 2 Week 1 - 30 April 2020
Dear Parents and Staff
Whether your children are physically at school or at home I wish you a warm welcome back to Term Two. When we had the early end to last Term, we were all expecting to be continuing the remote learning for the first few weeks of this Term. How quickly things have changed! The Premier’s announcement on Friday 17 April that parents could choose to send their children back to school or continue the remote learning from home from Wednesday 29 April had us all quickly planning how we were going to cater for all children. Again, the staff have stepped up and have been creative in developing methods that have engaged the children whatever their physical location. These are very interesting times and we are learning new things each and every day as the landscape changes. I thank parents for their patience and staff for their talent, adaptability and resilience in these very challenging times.
There have been a few misconceptions within the wider community which appear to have been exacerbated through the media. It has been expressed very clearly by the Executive Director of Catholic Education WA (CEWA), Dr Debra Sayce, that Catholic schools would be open for business for all children from Wednesday 29 April and that CEWA decisions have been guided by, and in full compliance with, the COVID-19 National Principles for School Education. There were three considerations to be satisfied in relation to the full return by students to school.
1. Our students and staff must be safe at school.
2. The education provided to all students must be high quality and equitable.
3. Teachers will provide teaching and learning opportunities to students through one mode of delivery.
It was the third of these which appears to have been cause for concern as parents were unsure of how online learning would work for children attending school. As is evident from our first day back at school yesterday, the children have been provided with the support that they require by the staff. Teaching will certainly be different while we have children both at home and at school, but the staff will, as always, continue to work with parents to provide the best learning opportunities for all of the children.
ANZAC
Many of us stood in our driveways last Saturday morning to remember those who have served in the armed forces and have helped to ensure that we have a wonderful world to live in today, even in these difficult times. Yesterday morning Bro. Stephen, along with our Student Leaders, led us through a short service of commemoration of these very brave men and women. During the service a wreath was laid and the Ode was recited, there was a minute’s silence with the Australian flag at half mast, Reveille was played, and we all sang the National Anthem. I was very impressed with the respectful manner in which all observed this very special occasion.
DROP OFF/PICK UP
The processes that we have put into place for before and after school appear to be working well. Thank you to all of the parents for their patience and co-operation as we comply with directives and to the children for the way in which they have taken on the task of being responsible for their school items and being ready for class each day.
Please keep in mind that if you wish to use the drive through for either drop off or pick up this will only operate in the Parish car park. Children are not to be dropped off from cars stopping on the street as this is a particularly dangerous practice.
These are very different times and we are all constantly being challenged to adapt and evolve. In the midst of all of the confusion let’s not forget that true Happiness is not only found when we reach a destination. We need to be aware of the joy and pleasure of the Journey and the Happiness that this can bring.
I pray that we will all remain safe and well throughout this ordeal.
NOTRE DAME PARISH NEWS
Thank you to all those who have been checking on my well being, I am doing well. I had my flu vaccination last week, arm was sore for a couple of days but much better now. Now that restrictions have been lifted to gatherings of 10, I hope that you have enjoyed catching up with relatives & seeing grandchildren. Elective surgery is now allowed, so please keep in your prayers those parishioners that will be having surgery over the next couple of weeks. We are in our 4th week of Easter, so by now everyone should have finished their Easter chocolates & out enjoying the sunshine to walk it off. Stay safe & healthy.
God Bless Fr Quynh.
NOTRE DAME PRIMARY SCHOOL FACEBOOK
CANTEEN NEWS
UNIFORM SHOP
As parents are not permitted onto the school grounds at the moment, orders for uniform items are to be placed by emailing Mrs Danielle Lawrie (danielle.lawrie@cewa.edu.au) The order form and price list are on the school website (www.nds.wa.edu.au) under "School Services."
Danielle Lawrie
Uniform Shop Coordinator
NOTRE DAME CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL
Email: admin@nds.wa.edu.au
Website: www.nds.wa.edu.au
Location: 360 Daly Street, Cloverdale WA, Australia
Phone: 62727100
Facebook: www.facebook.com/notredamecps