Dear Parents and Guardians
As we head well into the second half of Term One, one can only wonder where time is going. Schools are busy places – they were before COVID-19 – but now we’re doing the same and adding COVID to an already crowded workspace. How are you going? I know many families have been affected. I try to touch base with our families to ensure they know that we are all thinking and praying for them. I do feel my work has a definite tilt towards the Health Department these days. Listening carefully to the Chief Medical Officer, the Premier, the Education Minister and the Catholic Education Office have now become part of my daily routine. We are all doing different things and following advice which can frequently change. What is heartening is the support from so many of you in this challenging time. Thank you for acknowledging the communication we must make available to keep everyone informed and safe. Please read the correspondence carefully to make sure you keep informed of any changes to the way we are operating. In the words of Pope Francis, he said, that amidst this pandemic we, ‘have realised that we cannot go on thinking of ourselves, but only together we can do this.’
LENT– During this liturgical season of Lent, we are all invited to think about our lives and reflect on how we can in our own way support those around us. This is especially important with the challenges we are all facing with the prevalence of COVID-19. Lent is a time to reflect and remember that it is the small acts of kindness that we can all do, daily, to improve someone else’s day. This has certainly been reflected in our Christ the King School community over the last few weeks and has once again demonstrated why we truly are part of a blessed school community. As the number of positive cases in WA increases so does uncertainty and some element of fear. Whilst these are all valid and understandable responses, they have not overridden the human element involved at our school.
Each family has fully offered their support with such graciousness. This is something our community must be commended on. Thank you. We also wish to acknowledge the wonderful staff at Christ the King who are working together in Unity and all playing a vital role in making sure things keep moving forward despite the obstacles they are facing. It really is remarkable how our staff always focus on the students learning and well-being rather than themselves. They have increased responsibilities including additional duties, cleaning classrooms and areas around the school, managing the extra planning involved in teaching face to face and providing remote learning for children who must isolate. Thank you to all the Christ the King staff for their determined dedication.
Our students are also to be commended. They have proven time and time again what a resilient group they are. They have adapted to mask wearing seamlessly and continue to work hard despite change and uncertainty. Our student leaders should be very proud of themselves. They are doing a wonderful job leading our online school assemblies and assisting with various tasks around the school. All the children throughout our school are demonstrating a growth mindset by trying to find the positive in challenging situations. All the above is truly a reflection of how our community is shining brightly through adversity and how closely our community is following COVID safe practices.
PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS – Due to current circumstances preventing parents from entering classrooms, parent teacher interviews are taking place on TEAMS or on the phone. Interviews will be taking place on Friday, 8 April, which is a Pupil Free Day (our PD was cancelled), and the time will be from 8.00am until 1.00pm. These interviews are a great opportunity to speak with your child’s teacher and find out how your child has settled and how they are progressing in their learning. Please ensure you are punctual for your TEAMS or phone call (the class teacher will call you) with the teacher and please be aware that they have many parents to call in a short period of time. If a teacher needs to end TEAMS or the phone call, it is because they need to speak to another parent. A separate letter will be sent to all parents’ emails with a booking link shortly.
HARMONY WEEK: The message of Harmony Week is that everyone belongs. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values. Our school will be celebrating Harmony Week with a variety of activities. It was wonderful seeing the children and some staff wearing their country of origin colours or clothes or just wearing orange. Thank you to the P&F for making cupcakes and to the Year 6 students for selling them for a gold coin. All funds will go to the P&F.
LEARNING WALKS AND TALKS THIS PAST FORTNIGHT:
Last week our Kindy children had a special visit from ‘Farmyard on Wheels’. Farmer Mick introduced Rice Bubbles the Rabbit, Harriet the Horse and Gina the Goat. We loved holding the baby chicks and feeding the hungry lambs. It was so much fun!
SOME IMPORTANT DATES FOR WEEK ONE, TERM TWO:
Monday, 25 April is ANZAC DAY
Tuesday, 26 April is now a Pupil Free Day where all staff will be trained in Augmented and Alternative Communication Training to provide greater support for our non-verbal children at Christ the King School.
Wednesday, 27 April Children from Kindy – Year 6 will commence Term Two.
WINTER UNFORM
A reminder to all parents that Term Two all students are required to be in winter uniform. To assist parents and students in this transition, a two-week change-over period will be permitted. However, all students are required to be in full winter uniform by the commencement of Week 3. Please refer to the Uniform Policy on the school website for further information.
GOD MOMENTS
Watching our students doing what kids are supposed to be doing at recess and lunchtimes. Running flat chat, playing chasey, footy, cricket, shooting basketballs, playing netball, wheeling and dealing and trying everything on the playgrounds.
Stay well, stay safe and Go Dockers!
Andrew Kelly
Principal