Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again
.............see more
TERM 1 WEEK 7 - 18 MARCH 2020
OUR LADY OF GRACE NEWSLETTER
Dear Parents, You have so many reasons to be proud of your children and I would like to share some more with you from this last few days;
· Year 6 students making sure younger students are safe and happy in the playground
· Year 1–3 boys reassuring me that they will stop anyone damaging the new toilets because they love having a clean and bright facility
· Children in classroom focusing on their work and learning
· Lots of cheery greetings from children at the gates in the morning
· Kindy children sharing their hand washing routine with me – two rounds of Happy Birthday with soap bubbles and water! Clearly the social impact of the COVID-19 is widespread. We choose to be calm, informed and hope filled in our response. We pray daily for our families and those who are helping sick or vulnerable people at this time. Detailed information was sent via Flexibuzz on Monday that outlines OLG’s strategy, which is also available on our website. Information regarding social distancing from the Health Department is also available. As such, Monday morning's Prayer Assembly will be held in two year groups: Year 1–3 and 4-6 at 8.35am Monday morning and 10.15am Monday morning.
Friday assembly's will be different. Each class will present their assembly to their year level peers and parent supporters in the MPA 8.35am.
Merit Awards will be presented to all children throughout the day via the PA system. Year 6 Ministry will continue to lead the Assembly.
Families may experience financial stress as a result of the current situation, please be reassured no child will be denied education at OLG due to non-payment of fees. There are many options for families in regards to fee assistance and I am inviting you to discuss with me any concerns you have regarding school fees now or in the future. We will work together on a confidential and dignified solution. I am grateful to the many parents who have read information provided from OLG regarding our COVID-19 response. Please note;
· Packages of year level work will be available for children who are in quarantine or self-isolating
· You need to inform your child’s teacher & administration (admin@olg.wa.edu.au) if you are choosing to keep your child/ren at home and why (vulnerable person, contact, personal choice etc)
· Pastoral care phone calls will be made to those families self-isolating because of possible virus contact
· Work will be available for children IF the school is closed. The school will only be closed by the Chief Medical Officer or Catholic Education WA Ltd instruction.
· Year PP - 3 will be paper copies of work, Year 4 - 6 will have their work shared online using the OLG ACE model (Academic, Creative, Exercise Model). This does not mean your child will do all their learning online, or spend their day in front of a screen. Work will be communicated online (Year 4 - 6) and a variety of online/offline work will be available to complete along with suggested time limits.
Class group meetings will be held online twice a week to discuss the work. We are trialing these online meetings during the day and will organise an after school hours trial also. The functions of JAMF/Zuludesk, in addition to CEWA filters, operate during school hours so if your child’s device is enrolled, then they will only be able to access their school based Apps during the day. God Bless, Gabrielle Doyle
Principal
Merit Award Winners Congratulations to those who received a merit award at last week's assembly.
The piano programme at OLG rocks! Each week, around 50 students (mostly pictured) have a weekly piano lesson with Mr. Hicks.
Reachout The Our Lady of Grace Reachout program operates with the support of the P&F and offers short-term emergency help to families in need within our school community. This help may range from providing meals - the school operates a ‘casserole bank’ - to assisting with cleaning, lifts to school and babysitting. To volunteer, simply download the Commitment Form. You may be asked to provide a meal or cake once a term, home help - transport assistance is only rarely required.
Student Illness If your child has vomited or suffered from diarrhoea they must not attend school for 24 hours after their last episode. Please do not bring children to school who “have vomited the night before but feels much better now”, you put other staff and children at risk of being infected.
Scholastic Book Club - LOOP
Scholastic Issue 2 is out now and going forward all orders need to be placed online, via the Scholastic Book Club system, LOOP. This payment platform is easy to navigate, and your order will be directly linked to the school when you pay via credit card. It is also available as an app. Thank you for your support!
Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop is open Tuesday afternoons 2.15pm - 3.00pm and Friday mornings 8.15am - 9.00am.
For those parents requiring new uniform items, and not wanting to queue at the uniform shop, please fill out the uniform order form, complete all details including the payment section and hand into Vicki in the office. Your order will be packed by Jill and delivered to your child's classroom.
If you have received notification that your winter order is ready for collection, please pick it up at your earliest convenience.
Also, don't forget when returning back in Term 2 children need to be wearing their Winter uniforms. PLEASE NOTE - The Uniform Shop will be open on Thursday, 9 April from 8.15-9.15am (last day of Term 1). It will not be open during the school holidays.
Masses and Sacraments
The Archdiocese of Perth has taken actions to safeguard its parishioners that are outlined in the letters below. It is important to read these as a member of the OLG Parish. Please note parents of children in Sacramental Years 3, 4 and 6 ALL Sacramental programs have been delayed. I met with Father Hyigenus and the Parish Sacramental Co-ordinator, Clare Broad, this morning to discuss action required. We fully support the Archdiocese’ action and will be ready to restart and implement the Sacramental workshops, programs and retreats once we have instruction from Archbishop Costelloe.
OLG Business Community Please contact us if you’re interested in joining other families in contributing to making OLG an even better school and promoting your business within our P&F Business Community. For all enquiries, please email jodie.naismith@gmail.com Stay safe & take care everyone! P&F Executive Committee
We acknowledge the original custodians of this land, the Nyungar people, and show our respect for their ancestors and traditions.
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