I would like to thank you for participating in our Parent Teacher Conversations this week. I trust that you have found them useful as we share in this important role of educating your child(ren). It has been quite different conducting these by telephone but almost everything as we know it has changed with COVID-19. Thank you to our teachers who have put in an extra big effort over the past couple of months but certainly this week, speaking with all parents. I am aware that some families could not be contacted. If this is the case for your family then please make an alternative time with your child's teacher. Teachers have now begun working on school reports which will be sent out at the end of this term.
Friday 5 June each year is World Environment Day. It is an important time for us to call to mind our responsibility in caring for the earth. It was really interesting recently to see the difference that the COVID-19 lockdown made to the amount of smog and pollution in places like China, India and Italy. We saw reports of clear blue skies, being able to see the Himalayas and of clear water in Venice. The planet must have had a small sigh of relief! Maybe we need to have a world lockdown for a few months every couple of years. I wonder what difference that would make? I do believe there is a message here for us though, in what our lockdowns have revealed. It is clear that we can make a difference to our world but everyone has to play their part to make it happen. All nations need to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and find new ways to power industry. As individuals we need to simply use our motor vehicles less, ride our bikes or walk more and really make more than just a token effort with recycling. This day is an opportunity to explore the possibilities, model good practice for our children and offer hope and encouragement that the world can, and will be, a better place. St Francis of Assisi was way ahead of his time in his care for creation and Pope Francis, with his encyclical 'Laudato Si', has challenged us all to be the ones to make a difference.
While our Premier has begun to ease restrictions around COVID-19, it remains vitally important that we all remain vigilant in following the physical distancing rules, regularly washing hands with soap and water and keeping ourselves and others safe. As one way of ensuring safety for our children each morning (as shared on our school Facebook page), I have been at the front gate greeting the children and spraying their hands with hand sanitiser as they enter. It has been a great opportunity for me to get to know each of them.
Please remember that if your child shows any cold or flu type symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose or sore throat then they must remain at home until those symptoms are gone. You should also phone your GP and check whether your child needs to be tested for COVID-19 . All of us need to err on the side of caution at the moment to keep ourselves and others safe and in order to stop the spread! Thank you for your understanding and observance of this expectation.
This week we have participated in the annual data collection of Australian school students with a disability. The NCCD enables schools, education authorities and governments to better understand the needs of students with disability and how they can be best supported at school. All Australian schools are required to participate annually in the NCCD.
The NCCD draws on teachers' professional judgement and practices throughout the year supporting students with disability to access and participate in education on the same basis as other students. Under the NCCD model, teachers and school staff use their professional, informed judgement, based on evidence, to determine the level of adjustment students with a disability receive, in both the classroom and whole of school context, as well as the broad category of disability that relates to the adjustments. I'd like to acknowledge the important role that a positive partnership between teachers and parents plays in supporting every student's learning progress at TWCS.
Parent and extended family engagement is highly valued and enables TWCS to be blessed with a wonderful community. Although I have not been able to personally witness our volunteers in action, I have heard many great stories from staff of the events our families have participated in, which builds our strong sense of community.
It is a policy and practice of the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide that all who have a responsibility through their role within the Archdiocese (whether paid or voluntary) and/or who have the potential to have one-on-one contact with children, undergo a DHS - Working With Children Clearance and Catholic Police Check. This check is used as part of the assessment process to determine a person's suitability for volunteering within the Archdiocese of Adelaide and also within associated organisations closely affiliated with the Catholic Archdiocese, such as schools, and therefore Tenison Woods Catholic School.
The clearances are now valid for 5 years at no cost.
There are a number of volunteers whose clearance has expired. Although in these present times we are not seeking volunteers to assist it would be a good time to renew your clearance as the process can take up to 12 weeks. If you have received an email from Anna Pivato advising that your clearance has expired, please make a time to see her to complete the necessary paperwork. If you require any assistance please do not hesitate to call Anna or send her an email. More information is available via our website.
I thoroughly enjoy the contact that I have with students and their families at the beginning and end of the day when I get to greet or farewell everyone. It really is a highlight of the day. I am surprised however at the number of children who do arrive at 8am or just after. Please remember that this arrangement is really to support parents who need to start work early. Our preference is for children to arrive between 8:30 and 8:45am wherever possible. I consider before school to be a time to gather rather than play.
A huge thank you to those who have been delivering pamphlets for us to help promote and advertise our school in the local area. It is greatly appreciated. Please check out the Boileau sign on the corner of Sir Donald Bradman Drive and Marion Road for a TWCS advertisement over the next 4 weeks. A special thank you to our wonderful models: Alyssa, Gurnoor, Sienna and Tejas.
Our Term 3 Reception children will attend their two Transition mornings on Wednesday of Week 8 and 9. We look forward to them joining us at Tenison Woods Catholic School and to the seven year journey we will have together, learning, making friends and having fun.
This special day occurs on Friday 19 June and it is an opportunity for us to remember that Jesus always loves each of us, in ways we may not even comprehend. While it is good to know that we are loved, I believe it is, more importantly, a call for us to reach out to love others. In John 13:34 Jesus tells the disciples to 'love one another, just as I have loved you'. The first part of the statement is the key and our call 'love one another'. On this day I invite you to think about all those people in your life. How do you show them that you love them and care for them? Are there any people who you dismiss or not love as you should? Are there any people that you have had a falling out with? This might be a good time to call them to mind, and to let go of things that are stopping you loving as you are called to do. In the month of May we had a focus on the character strength of 'love'. In June our character strength focus is 'gratitude'.
Our new building will be finished in about two months, maybe sooner. It is looking fantastic and I hope you have had a look at each of the time lapse photos on Facebook as they have been posted each month. The children loved watching the massive crane, used to lift the air conditioners and skylights into place. While work on the inside is a bit more difficult to see now, it is nearing completion and this week work began on the outside paving and landscaping. You may have seen that the new fence is complete around the oval and the temporary fence along Bickford Street has been removed. The grass is looking fantastic and while the children can't wait to be able to run free on it, we will give some extra time for it to become more established. In keeping with World Environment Day, our 30 kilowatt solar system will be installed on the building soon. I can not thank Sarah Constructions enough for the professional and excellent working relationship we have had throughout this build.
Please remember that tomorrow (Friday) is a Pupil Free Day. Our teachers will be continuing their professional development in the area of Restorative Practices. Michael Lincoln, a Religious Education Consultant from Catholic Education SA, will lead this day for us.
Even though the weather is not looking promising for outdoor activities I do hope that you enjoy the extra long weekend!
Cheers
Peter Mercer
Acting Principal
