Dear Parents and Guardians

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow”

As we approach the end of Term 2 there are many things to be grateful for. As I have reflected on the past weeks these are some of the things I am grateful for in our school community:

• I am grateful that each morning I get to personally welcome our students onto the school grounds as I help them out of the car or to cross the road and have the opportunity to smile, wave and say hello to so many parents and students. 
• I am grateful for our students who eagerly get out of the car or say goodbye at the gate with a smile and a chat
• I am grateful for the resilience our students are showing, they have missed out on so many of their normal extra activities however they still remain positive and committed.
• I am grateful for our parents for stopping to say thank you and let us know we are doing a great job
• I am grateful for our parents who understand the importance of keeping students who are unwell home and recognising that our staff need to also stay home if unwell
• I am grateful for the support staff give daily to our students and their care for their wellbeing

These are just a few of the things I am grateful for, what are you grateful for at this time in your life?

We would like to welcome to our school community, Mr Jason Love who joins our support staff and we wish Mrs Sally Coad and Ms Lillian Cooke all the very best during their parental leave.  We also welcome students Sherlin and Bam in Gr 3, Zac in Gr 5 and Lexie-Jade in Gr 1. 

Kind Regards

Bernadette Brooks

June 14 to June 20 is Refugee Week

Celebrating the Year of Welcome

The theme of Refugee Week in 2020 is the Year of Welcome. Welcome is about generosity, opening our arms and our houses to friends and strangers, feeding the hungry and avoiding the temptation to shut the door. As we are moving to a lifting of restrictions, it is important to keep our hearts open to people who have been left without family, without country and without support, and have come to seek protection. It is time to make this year a year of welcome, and this land a welcoming land. The need for Catholics to unite in care and outreach to people who seek protection is stronger than it has ever been.

(Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ writes for Jesuit Communications and Jesuit Social Services.)

Reconciling God,

we pray for the day when all Australians stand together Recognising that we are called as one people to compassion and justice.

Heal the blindness that looks but does not see,

the deafness which refuses to listen and so does not hear,

the dullness which hears but does not comprehend,

and the lack of integrity that knows but does not act.

God,

in your love and solidarity you call us to stand with those who are most vulnerable,

especially asylum seekers who risk all to find protection and a secure future for their families.

 Hear our prayer and the unuttered cries of our hearts offered in the name of your son,

Jesus, who was himself a refugee.

Amen.

(Source: Josephite prayer vigil in solidarity with asylum seekers)

For 2020, Catholic Education Tasmania will commence the mid-year reporting process at the beginning of Term 3 with adjusted reports. Mid-Year Progress Statements will be released via our Compass management system by Thursday 6th August. These abbreviated reports will provide a snapshot of student learning up until the end of Term 2. There will be an opportunity for parent / teacher conversations in line with the distribution of Mid-Year Progress Statements.  More information will be provided before the end of Term 2.

Could all parents please assist us in ensuring that students are wearing the correct uniform on the correct day. We have a number of students in Grade 3 and 6 who continue to wear their sports uniform on days when they do not have sport. Students in Grade 3 to 6 must also wear their formal school shoes with their formal uniform, not sports shoes. A note from a parent is required for any variations to the uniform expectations. It is also advisable for students to have a raincoat. 

We want to assure families of the importance of their child's enrolment at Holy Rosary Catholic School, and we want to ease any financial pressure families may be put under due to economic factors. As communicated previously, if any family is experiencing financial hardship please do not hesitate to email me (bernie.brooks@catholic.tas.edu.au). We want to take this opportunity to be clear that no child will be denied a Catholic Education based on financial reasons. Your child's enrolment is important to us and we want to support all families the best we can in these challenging circumstances. Please do not hesitate to email me.

In 2021, Holy Rosary Catholic School in partnership with CatholicCare will be offering an Early Learning program for children who will be three years of age by the 1st of January 2021 and are not eligible for Kinder. In addition we will be providing care on the days children are not in the 3 year old program or Kindergarten. Please complete this form if you are interested and your details will be forwarded to Catholic Care who will be in contact with you.

https://forms.gle/tgojYFvzfUeEkPN38

We are very grateful to all our parents for following the new guidelines that we are operating under at present. At this stage this routine will continue until further notice. Thank you especially to those parents who have stopped to express their appreciation to the staff each morning and afternoon. A kind world is always so welcome.

Morning Routine:

Staff will be on duty from 8.20 to 8.50 to assist with Kiss and Drop and Gate Drop Off

• Kiss and Drop - Please ensure that you do not leave the car in this area and that children exit cars quickly and safely. 
• Gate - Please ensure that you socially distance yourself from other adults and wait for the teacher on duty to assist your child if they are in a younger grade level and need help separating.

Afternoon Routine:

Staff will be on duty from 2.40 until 3.10 and then students will be supervised in the office area if not picked up during this time.

• Kiss and Drop - Please ensure that you do not leave the car in this area and that children enter cars quickly and safely. Please don't worry if you choose to leave Kiss and Drop pick until a few minutes past 3.00, we will wait with your child and this will assist with traffic flow.
• If you are able to collect students without siblings in Kindergarten and Prep by 2.40 from the EYC this would be helpful in reducing the amount of traffic. Please exit the school grounds through the top gate.
• Students without siblings in Grade 1 will be brought to the gate at 2.40 pm and parents are asked to pick up at this time from the gate, we will wait with your child and supervise until you arrive. 
• Students in Grade 1 with siblings, and in Grade 2 and 3 will be walked to the gate and will remain on the grass area at 2.50. Students will then be assisted by a teacher and the crossing guard to cross the road to parents who will need to wait on the grass area in front of the car park for the shops. 
• Students in Grade 4,5 and 6 without siblings will be leaving the school grounds through the church gate at 2.50. Students in Grade 4, 5 and 6 with siblings will be asked to wait on the grass area inside the gate near the crossing and siblings will be brought from the classrooms to this area. We will bring the children to their siblings in this area, there is no need for students to pick up from the classroom.
• Parents are asked to follow social distance expectations while waiting, it may take some extra minutes to get your child to you but please be assured they will be safe and looked after and we do ask for patience as we escort students through the gate. 
• Students attending After School Care or catching the bus will follow the same routines as in Term 1. 

Please be assured that staff will remain on duty until all children are collected by a parent either at Kiss and Drop or at the gate. If you wish to delay your pick up until after 2.50 your child will be supervised and safely remain with a staff member inside the gate. 

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