Principal's Report
Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been a wonderful first week for me at St Joseph’s Adelong. The staff, students and parents have made me feel so welcome. Even walking around the village people are waving and saying hello!
While it is so special for me to be here, I wish it was for a happier reason. I hope you will continue to keep Kirsty in your prayers as she undergoes treatment and makes a full recovery.
I express my sincere thanks to Miss Braun and the staff who have ensured that it has been ‘business as usual’ following Kirsty’s unexpected departure. They have ensured the students have continued to receive quality teaching and support.
Opening of the School Year Mass
We were able to celebrate the beginning of the school year and ask for God’s blessing on our community on Tuesday this week. Thank you to Miss Braun for her organisation of a beautiful ceremony, to Mrs Murray for her assistance and all the staff and students who helped in setting up our sacred space on the top oval.
It was wonderful that we could welcome the Year 6 parents to the occasion to officially present the leadership badges to the Year 6 leaders, I’m sure a very proud moment for each of them! I look forward to working with our leaders on some projects and events.
Staff Changes
From Monday 28 February to Friday 4 March Miss Soulsby will be taking leave to participate in the National Finals for Reined Cow Horse at Scone. We wish Jessica the best of luck and safe travels. Mrs Parker has been engaged to teach Year 2/3. If you have any concerns during this week please contact Mrs Parker or myself.
Covid Update
It is exciting to see that Covid restrictions are easing.
As of Monday 28th February the following changes will be enacted;
- Mixing of cohorts at school for activities will be relaxed
- Schools will be able to welcome parents and visitors onto school grounds regardless of vaccination status
- Schools can resume activities such as assemblies and school camps
- Mask requirements for high school staff and students will be lifted.
As of Monday 7th March;
- Mask requirements for primary staff and students will be lifted.
Parents are asked to continue using RATS twice per week (or if students are exhibiting symptoms) until the end of Week 8 – 25th March.
From the beginning of Week 9 – 28th March, this requirement will be lifted but tests will be available from the school if parents wish to continue testing their children.
RATS will be sent home today with the students. For those students who are absent today at the Western Region Swimming Carnival, their tests will be sent home with siblings or they can be collected tomorrow. Please ring the school if you need replacements at any time.
Piano Lessons
The piano teacher Vanessa Hall will begin piano lessons next week with the students. These will be on Wednesday from 12:15.
Cyber Safety
Our students and ourselves socialise, learn, interact and connect in the cyber or online world. Our children’s safety is paramount. The best way for parents and carers to protect their children is to be informed. I draw your attention to the advertisement for eSafety Parent and Carer Webinars. There are different topics each month with helpful hints and information. I would encourage you to look at these and regularly discuss online activity with your children. Please use the following link: esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars
Next week we mark the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday. For Catholics this is a time for self-reflection and deeper engagement in prayer. It can also be a time of fasting, abstinence or acts of generosity. This helps to focus on the ultimate sacrifice, the death of Jesus and the new life offered through the Resurrection.
I am looking forward to getting to know all the families here at Adelong. Please feel free drop in and say hello and if there are matters you wish discuss ring and make an appointment.
God bless,
K F McGrath
Katrina McGrath
Acting Principal