Term 1, Week 9 - 23rd March - 2020
How life has changed in a fortnight! COVID-19 is continuing to be a growing concern for health authorities worldwide and we are seeing examples in a number of countries of its health, social and economic impacts. The National Strategy is to ‘flatten the curve’ of confirmed cases so that our health services can meet the needs of those who require care when they need it.
We have been communicating with parents and carers as often as possible in the last week outlining the actions we have taken and preparations being made for online or distance learning. Further actions we take because of the COVID-19 pandemic is based on advice, recommendations and directives of Lismore Catholic Schools Office, NSW Health and Federal Government. As you would realize from our previous correspondence, we have been preparing for the possible closure of the school. I have outlined here a summary of what we have done and our plan for Education Continuity for all students. In all that we do we are mindful of the wellbeing of students, staff and parents in this unprecedented event. We all need to consider the messages we give to our children / students and the language we use regarding COVID-19. Check the resource ‘Talking with Children about Coronavirus Disease' The Director of Lismore Diocese Catholic Schools, Dr Sally Towns, has written 3 letters to parents in the last week (13th, 16th and 18th March) providing information and reassurance that students are at the centre of all decisions being made.mIt is important to note that the information provided by CSO and the College can change at short notice.
Here is a summary of information that has been issued over the last 10 days
Education Continuity Plan
Our current Education Continuity Plan was outlined in the letter sent to parents on the 18th March which can be accessed here. We will be moving lessons to the outline platform this week as a result of the announcement made by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Students still attending school in person will be learning in an online environment. More information will be sent home in the near future to ensure all students and parents are prepared for this change in learning. This includes: Guidelines for Parents and Students, & Guide to Google Classroom and Zoom. Thank you to parents and students who have responded to our survey on access to the internet and working devices at home. This has helped us cater for all students.
Counselling Services
School counsellors work will continue as usual while the school is open. They have, however, been asked to consider the needs of the students they are currently working with in the contingency that a school may have to close. Communication by counsellors during a school closure including student virtual check ins, must be with parent/ carer consent.
Overseas travel & Self Isolation
Any person who arrives in Australia from midnight 15 March 20 is required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days from date of return. There are no exceptions. All self-isolation requirements for travelers from China, Iran, South Korea and Italy prior to midnight 15 March 20 remain in place. See Australian Government Department of Health Isolation Guide
Hygiene practices and Social Distancing
- Social distancing practices are to be used - minimal to no physical touch, no handshaking, keeping distance from others eg 1 - 1.5 metres.
- Increased hygiene is to be practised including regular handwashing and use of sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is available outside the staff room, at the canteen, and in the office. Soap dispensers are provided in the toilet blocks
Sport, Excursions, Work Experience and Work Placement
- Sport - All interschool and interdiocesan sport is not permitted for the remainder of Term 1. Parent and spectator attendance at any sporting activity is to be discouraged.
- Excursions are all cancelled
- Work Experience is to be cancelled until further notice
- Work Placement - Students will attend Work Placement whilst schools are open. The Department of Education, Catholic Schools NSW and the AIS will continue the existing arrangements for students to attend their work placement under the following conditions:
- the host employer is willing to host the student for work placement
- the school Principal is supporting work placement for their students
- parents are supporting their students to participate.
Based on advice from NSW Ministry of Health schools should not visit aged care facilities or attend other facilities in the local community (e.g. hospitals) where there are elderly people or people with underlying health conditions until further notice to minimise the spread of respiratory infections, such as influenza and other respiratory viruses. This does not apply to School Based Traineeships in aged care facilities. These can continue as normal.
- EVET - Students are expected to attend TAFE whilst schools are open. These courses contribute to their HSC and non-attendance is putting their HSC at risk.
School Closure
We have been fielding questions from parents on why schools are not closing with the increasing number of COVID -19 cases in the state and country. An infographic is attached explaining to parents the notification protocols in schools for COVID-19 cases.
I have also been asked to bring to the attention of parents the information that was provided in the Director’s letter to parents dated 18 March 2020.
There is also significant concern and debate in the community about the closure of schools. Current advice from the Federal government is to keep schools open, however, we continue to support families to make decisions for their child's wellbeing based on their own circumstances.
NAPLAN 2020 Cancelled
Advice from CSNSW has advised that the Education Ministers met on 20 March 20 and decided that NAPLAN will not proceed in 2020. This decision was made due to the impact of Covid-19 virus which may affect the delivery of NAPLAN testing, including the operations of centralized marking centres and the implications for nationally comparable data if an insufficient number of students are available to do the test. This decision was also made to assist school leaders, teachers and support staff to focus on the wellbeing of students and the continuity of education in these difficult times. As a result, the Practice Tests scheduled to start on Monday 23rd March with the Combined Practice Test will not proceed either.
CSNSW - SPORT : Suspension of Registrations for Sporting Events
CSNSW-Sport are planning to suspend all registration on our website until further notice. Commencing today, Friday 20th March
Registration levies will be also refunded to parents in the most efficient way possible within the next few weeks.
Sport
Due to the current COVID-19 situation, continued precautions will still be implemented for the three weeks of Term 2. All interschool and interdiocesan sport is not permitted for the first three weeks of Term 2 until the end of 15th May.
This is in line with CSNSW- Sport as they continue to suspend both Polding and CCC events. Following this a review of the situation will take place.
Lismore Diocesan schools may continue to have internal sporting activities on a modified school level based around their risk assessment plan. Parent and spectator attendance at any sporting activity is to be discouraged.
Thank you for your continuing support and understanding at this difficult and unknown time. Please keep all of those directly and indirectly impacted by COVID-19 in your thoughts and prayers.
Here is a simple prayer that was said today in our staff briefing:
Jesus, during Your ministry on Earth You showed Your power and caring by healing people of all ages and stations of life from physical, mental, and spiritual ailments. Be present now to people who need Your loving touch because of COVID-19. May they feel Your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses.
Take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or under quarantine. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the disease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them.
Look after yourselves and each other
Yours sincerely
Kate
Kate Thomson
Principal
“We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.” Catherine McAuley
Quotes from Pope Francis
We want to respond to the virus pandemic with the universality of prayer, compassion and tenderness. Let us stay united. I invite all Christians to direct their voices together toward Heaven, reciting the Our Father on Wednesday, 25 March, at noon. #PrayTogether Mar 22, 2020
Let us #PrayTogether for doctors, hospital staff, and volunteers who are giving their own lives to save others. And for civil leaders, for those who have to make decisions at this time. All these people are the pillars defending us in this crisis. Mar 20, 2020
Charles Sturt University Tour
Year 12 students from McAuley College took the opportunity to join other north coast High Schools as part of the Coffs / Clarence Careers Advisers Network tour of Charles Sturt University at Port Macquarie on the 10th of March.
The students received a full overview of university life at the campus during the day tour. This was a great opportunity for the students to seek information to select their career pathway.
UNE Open Day postponed to 2021
The University of New England will not be holding an open day for 2020 in order to comply with public health recommendations to manage the risks associated with the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
The UNE Open Day previously scheduled for 8 May usually attracts up to 1,500 visitors, mainly high school students, from across New South Wales and Southern Queensland. This action is consistent with advice from authorities to consider avoiding large events where diverse groups of people are gathered from varied areas and social distancing cannot be managed effectively.
While many people may be disappointed that Open Day will not be held this year, the University must prioritize the safety of visitors, students, staff and their families. Schools and the general public are reminded that free Campus Tours are continuing throughout 2020 and can be booked at https://www.une.edu.au/study/study-on-campus/campus-tour
This Campus Tour service is also available at most other Universities. Universities also hold Open Days on the weekend for students to visit. These are advertised on the Careers noticeboard.
ADF Tour
Defence Force Recruiting will be touring Northern NSW mid-March. The aim of this tour is to inform students about the ADF Career options and to let them know that we will be holding Regional Aptitude Testing in Ballina on Tuesday 21st April (during school holidays).
Our school will be visited on Tuesday 24 March, for interested Yr 10, 11 and 12 students to listen to the presentation. The students need to register with me beforehand to attend.
Rod Paton
Careers Adviser
AD CLERUM FROM BISHOP GREG
The Bishop of Lismore, the Most Reverend Gregory Homeming OCD, yesterday issued an 'Ad Clerum', or decree to all priests and deacons in the Lismore Diocese regarding Mass closures in response to the evolving Coronavirus situation. "As you know, the Commonwealth Government has today, banned all indoor gatherings of 100 or more people. As a consequence, I am obliged to make the following Decrees:
- Sunday Mass – From and including this weekend there will be no Sunday Masses in the Diocese and the Sunday obligation for our Faithful is suspended;
- Confirmation, First Communion and First Reconciliation – will be postponed until further notice;
- Funerals – Since we have no control over the number attending funerals, there will be no funeral liturgies in church. Prayers may be said at the place of burial
- Weddings – You should ensure that no more than 100 people, including yourself, attend at weddings. In the present circumstances, I would encourage wedding services in preferences to a Nuptial Mass 5. Easter – There will be no public Easter Liturgies
- Chrism Mass – will not be public; I will still celebrate that Mass. You are free to attend.
- Churches may remain open for the Faithful to come and pray
Let us continue to pray for the protection of our people and the end of this virus
Maggie Cooper, Layla Cramb, Madeleine Howell, Wyatt Brett, Brooke Surawski, Sharlee Cook, Axel Hargans, Jasmine, Miles Jack, Peta Girdler, Abigail Goodall, Darnell Robinson-Johnson, Kayla Ellis, Kasey Shannon, Rani Anderson, Tarnah Campbell, Jorja White, Joel Ashby, Matilda Sheehan, Heidi Lewis, Jett Nikas, Dylan Morrison, Isabelle Brennan.