Term 3 Week 9 - 10th September 2021
Latest COVID-19 Information
Please find below the latest correspondence from Dr Sally Towns, Director of Catholic Schools, Lismore, in regards to the return to face-to-face learning on Monday 13th September.
WEEK 10
While there are still many unanswered questions, particularly for our Year 12 students, we at least now have some clarity around returning to school.
Families were emailed a letter from Dr Sally Towns yesterday, along with an outline of the Level 3 Restrictions we return to on Monday, 13th September 2021. While it is exciting to be returning, reconnecting and re-establishing our learning routines, we must ensure it is done safely and according to the NSW Health Guidelines.
Some points of clarity I would like to make:
- Face to Face learning resumes on Monday, 13th September 2021 for ALL students. If students are absent during Week 10, normal rules for absenteeism apply.
- Masks are Mandatory inside and outside of classrooms- Please ensure your child arrives at school each day with their mask on. If your child requires an exemption from mask-wearing, and you have not already done so, please obtain a Doctor's Certificate outlining the exemption. I ask that this is presented to the College Office on return to school.
- Many activities such as representative sport, excursions, camps etc have been cancelled.
I appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate through Level 3 Restrictions. Should we go into Lockdown again anytime in the future, Level 4 restrictions would apply again, and we would revert back to Blended Learning.
I would like to thank parents and carers for their support during Blended Learning. There are many "memes" on social media recognising the challenging and comical side of "homeschooling" and the struggles for parents taking on the role of their child's teacher. I am sure you could all identify with some of them at times. It's important to keep it in perspective and you get to hand that job back to us on Monday.
I am immensely proud of all our staff who adapted to Blended Learning again so seamlessly. Many of them have had to juggle the demands of small children at home, snarls from cantankerous teenagers, online Trial HSC marking, partners working from home, disconnection from their colleagues and students that they see each day, lack of routine, week by week uncertainty and the list goes on. They have done this so professionally and positively, ensuring the wellbeing and educational needs of our students were met.
We have received many lovely emails and comments from parents and students, I've included just a few below with names removed for confidentiality. If you would like to give a "shout out" to a particular staff member via email, I would be happy to pass it on.
- A big huge thank you for all your help with blended learning. .... continued persistence to get through his work on a daily basis has been recognised today with an emailed certificate. Wow! We are so proud of .... Can I also say the planner is working a treat.
- Thanks for your concern, we really appreciate it.
- I’m loving his gratitude tasks as well.
- The planner has been amazing. “thankyou!!
- thx for helping me
- I'd like to give a shout out to ... Whenever I have emailed him, nothing is ever a problem. He's really helpful.
- Massive thank you to all the teachers and peers for all the support of everyone - Year 12 student.
- All things considered, Trials ran really smoothly. Thank you teachers - Year 12 student
- Thank you for all the support - this (referring to Trials) has been tough but you all made it pretty easy - thanks - Year 12 student.
Wellbeing Challenge
Yesterday was R U OK? Day, usually at this time, our College Student Leadership Team and Youth Ministry Team work together to greet students with a smile, hand out lollipops and ask R U OK? However, as you know that couldn't happen this year. So instead, our Leader of Wellbeing, Ms Wallis, put out the challenge to students and staff to come up with their top tips in the following three categories - Best Study, Funniest Lockdown and Best survival tip for parents. We certainly received some good advice from our students.
Congratulations to Phoebe Bentley, Matilda Shields and Amelia Riley for your entries, you have won yourself a $20 canteen voucher for sharing your great tips.
Thank you to the Leader of Wellbeing, Ms Kylie Wallis, for organising another great wellbeing challenge this week.
Please enjoy Phoebe's, Matilda's and Amelia's top tips.
National Child Protection Week 5th-11th September 2021
The 2021 National Child Protection Week theme is "Every child, in every community needs a fair go". This week, there have been webinars addressing issues such as mental health, e-safety, what children need to thrive, communication, connection to culture for Indigenous children, organisations who work with families, ensuring people with a disability receive a fair go, what are respectful relationships. keeping children safe from domestic violence, the impact of COVID 19.
Cheerfully in Christ
Mrs Tanya Daley
Acting Principal
This is a great FREE Webinar. We encourage you to register your attendance.
Masses returns this weekend as Lockdown eases
We give thanks for the news that Lockdown restrictions will ease tomorrow. Masses and Reconciliation will be celebrated this weekend as follows:
Saturday:
- Reconciliation - 11.30am-12.30pm – St Agnes’ Catholic Church, Hay Street
- Vigil Mass - 6.00pm - Our Lady Star of the Sea, Lake Cathie
Sunday:
- Mass - 7.30am, 9.00am and 5.00pm - St Agnes’ Catholic Church
Church Attendance
Welcome back to our St Agnes’ Parish masses. Under the current COVID restrictions for NSW and Parish guidelines requirements for attending Mass are as follows:
- Everyone must wear masks.
- Attendees must check-in for Mass via the QR code available at the entrances of the church or chapels OR sign in with your contact details on the forms provided.
- One person per 4sqm rule applies. The capacity in St Agnes’ Catholic Church is 100 people so those first to arrive will be able to be seated in the Church. Seating is designated according to a set number of people per seat. Please take note of the signage and sit where directed to maintain the required distance. Could families of 4 or more, please sit upstairs in the choir loft.
- No singing is permitted.
- Collection plates are no longer passed around. Please place your donations into the two boxes at the front of the church or at your chapel.
- All visitors (including those who use the QR code) need to make themselves known, prior to entering the Church and Chapels.
Please do not attend if you are unwell or have any cold/flu-like symptoms.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Presbytery Office on 6583 1024.
St Agnes' Church Gospel Reflections
Fr Paul Gooley is continuing to provide Gospel readings and reflections via email and online Monday to Saturday for those interested in connecting with their faith in this way.
Click to watch Fr Paul's Gospel Readings and Reflections.
St Agnes' Parish News Bulletin
Each week the Parish produces a news bulletin. In this week’s bulletin:
- A health update from Fr Paul
- A reflection entitled 'Change begins today' by Fr Andrew Hamilton
- Commencement of Season of Creation
- A reminder of Adult Faith Formation Online Opportunities
- Journey into the Catholic Faith Opportunities
- Fan the Flame towards Plenary Assembly One October 2021
- Caritas asking us to keep Haiti in our thoughts and prayers after a major earthquake
- A reminder that there will be no Masses or Reconciliation until further notice
Acting Assistant Principal- Mission
CSU Year 12 Parent and Student Information Session
CSU is holding a second Parent Information Night for 2021 on 21st September (from 6:30pm). This online event is a great opportunity for parents and students to get in contact with the experts about their plans for next year! We’ve arranged for UAC to join us on the night and they will be running their own information session, covering off any changes due to COVID-19. There will also be the opportunity for parents and students to ask any questions they might have too.
We have designed the online event to be as interactive and fun as possible (we are mindful everyone is getting a little over Zoom style events)! Students and parents will have the opportunity to pick from one of three faculty sessions, and one of four specialist sessions:
- UAC information session
- Early entry and Charles Sturt Advantage
- Accommodation
- The cost of uni and scholarships.
Charles Sturt Advantage early offer program extended
As a result of the challenges and disruptions COVID has caused with schooling and exams this year, we have decided to extend the Charles Sturt Advantage early offer applications and have added a third round.
Round 3 is open now (it has been open since 1 September) and will close at midnight on Monday 4 October. Students who apply between 1 September and Midnight 4 October will be notified of the result of their application in late October. The same course offerings will be available, with some courses still being competitive, and the application process is the same as Round 1 and 2.
Hopefully, this additional round will be able to provide students who may have missed out with a bit of certainty!
More information on the Advantage early offer program is available here.
Mrs Leanne Tinsey
Teacher and Leader of Careers and University Transition
A look through the Archives
Take a look at some of these photos from the library archives - such memorable times across the decades.
Days when we weren't constrained by social distancing, could exercise with more than just 'one other', participate in team sports, etc. - Pre-Covid. Those days will be back soon!
Ms Karyn Mooney (Fri)
Word of the Week: Plethora
Meaning: A large or excessive amount of something.
We have all experienced a plethora of emotions and feelings over the last few weeks including RUOK day.
Stay safe and be kind to yourself and each other.
Weekly Lunch Specials
| Term 3 Week 10 Lunch Specials | |
| Monday | Bacon & Cheese Burger |
| Tuesday | Thai Green Chicken Curry & Rice |
| Wednesday | Mexican Chicken Quesadilla |
| Thursday | Fried Rice & Honey Soy Chicken Wings |
| Friday | Spaghetti Bolognaise |
The Canteen opens at 8.00am every school day.
Ms Donna Hamlin
Food Services Manager
Applications are NOW OPEN and will CLOSE on Thursday, 30th September for HEF grants to assist local young people starting post-school education or training in 2022. Click this link to find info and the online application system, or to donate to ‘Hastings’ to help us to help them: https://cef.org.au/foundations/hastings/
https://www.facebook.com/hastingseducationfund
Calling all 16-25 year olds…
Headspace’s SPILL THE BEANS is here!
A free online group that aims to bring young people together to share and connect – by encouraging self-care and social inclusion, with free coffee and chats. It will be run over 6 weeks in an online format while we are in lockdown.
What:
- FREE coffee delivered to your door (Ruins café)
- FREE headspace care pack
- FREE access to the private online group which includes weekly check-in, connection with like-minded people, tips to keeping a healthy headspace & optional headspace coach session.
Where: Online via zoom
When:
- Every Thursday for 6 weeks
- Starting 16th September 2021
- 10:00am-11:00am
To participate: contact headspacePM@each.com.au and complete the registration form before 14th September.
More details here:
https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/port-macquarie/spill-the-beans/
https://www.facebook.com/events/978366179621878/
