Hello Parents and Carers,

Well, it has been a smooth and calm ‘restart’ to Term 2 with all students back face to face in their classrooms. The students are very keen to get into their daily lessons and play with their friends. Thank you once again for your patience and understanding during this time. Let us pray and hope that learning can proceed as normal over the coming months with no further changes. If you have any school resources e.g. Maths beads, counters, dice, library books and readers, please return them to school for sorting.

Hygiene Measures

Appropriate hygiene measures are still in place at school for students and staff, which are:

·        Cough into elbows

·        Cover sneezes

·        Dispose of tissues responsibly

·        Wash hands for 20 seconds using soap and water

·        Access the hand sanitiser provided in each classroom

·        Bring a water bottle to school (bubblers closed)

·        No sharing of food

 But, and most importantly, if staff or students have a cold, sore throat or fever stay at home until the symptoms have passed.

Cleaning

High touch areas are being cleaning more frequently by our wonderful school cleaner Coral Membrey. Teachers and classroom teachers are also pitching in by cleaning desks, chairs and chrome books daily. Staff are limiting their gathering in the staffroom during breaks. Playground equipment and eating tables are also being regularly cleaned.

Drop off and Pick Up Arrangements

Thank you to parents who have adapted to the new ‘drop off and pick up area’ at the school gate. For many students this has been an opportunity to establish new independent routines. Parents are encouraged to email the school or phone ahead if they need something from school e.g. uniform. We appreciate your support in these minor, but important changes.

This week we would normally be running NAPLAN for Year 3 and Year 5. Sadly, we will miss that important data this year but St Mary’s will be collecting data on student growth and achievement in many other ways as per usual, e.g. running records, writing samples and PAT Reading and Maths tests. If parents have any concerns regarding their child’s progress do not hesitate to contact classroom teachers for a conversation. We are only a phone call away.

 Have a lovely week everyone.

 Blessings

 Jannine

Why is May the month of Mary?

The tradition dates back to the early church and honours the faith of Mary with the action of the Holy Spirit. The Church loves to pray in communion with the Virgin Mary to magnify the great things the Lord has done for her.

Many families pray the Rosary each evening throughout the month of May.

Please keep Mrs Saunderson in your prayers as she is currently on sick leave recovering from pneumonia.

Please ensure that WATER bottles are bought to school each day. Bubblers are not to be used in line with school  COVID-19 procedures. Water bottles can be refilled by staff if required.

St Mary's has a touchless thermometor for checking temperatures. This will not be used every day, it will be used if your child presents to the office feeling unwell. If you do not want staff to take your child's temperature please inform the school.

As we return to face to face learning, we remind parents and students to return your borrowed devices, equipment and books borrowed during online learning.

Thank you for your support in returning these promptly.

We have been pleased to help in this way during remote learning period.

Our radio announcers next Tuesday will be

CALEB & EJ

Tune in to FM 96.3 each Tuesday at 1.45pm to hear what is happening at St Mary's.

If you have suffered a reduction in your primary source of income as a result of COVID-19 you may be eligible for a Term 2 fee reduction.

Eligibility:

• Redundancy
• Stand down
• Reduction in hours
• Business owners - closure
• Business owners - reduced turnover
• Loss of income - carers duty
• Loss of income - infection / quarantine
• Other reasons not listed above

If you you are eligable please contact Mrs Richards for more information and a Fee Assistance Request Form.

Home cooking and cake raffle will hopefully recommence soon each Friday.

If you would like to be on our home cooking roster once per term

to supply two dozen home cooked cakes, biscuits, slice, jellies etc

please let the office know.

Thank you to those families already on home cooking.

Money raised goes towards our end of year fun day.

Go to the school website www.https://stmarysbatlow.nsw.edu.au/

The school calendar, policies and documents can be easily accessed there as well as archived Newsletters.