Dear Parents, Staff and Students

Welcome to the 2021 school year! I look forward to another successful year for our students and staff at St. Clare’s School.  All classes have had a wonderful first week of school and students are happy to be back with their peers. Our Prep students have had a fantastic start and should be congratulated on their ability to ease so well into school life. 

A warm greeting to all new families and current families. We also welcome new staff: Jamilla Dressler (Yr 6), Georgia Moloney (Yr 2), Naomi McGregor (Yr 4), Zanelle Collins (Yr 1) and Adam Stubbings (HPE).

Covid Update

During 2020, our hygiene practices increased due to COVID, which will continue at St Clare's.   Our school community does need to be extra vigilant due to having a student at our school with a compromised immune system.  Most school families would know one of our students was away in Brisbane in 2020 for medical treatment and we are very happy that he has returned to school this week.

We are asking that if your child is sick in any way you keep them home until symptoms go away. Parents are encouraged to take their child for a COVID test if flu like symptoms are evident. Students can return to school once symptoms subside, or if they present with a medical certificate or negative COVID test. This information is in the latest Operating Guidelines from Catholic Education Services.

Many of our school events will require COVID control measures.  We would like our parents to be involved in school life however we do have the following restrictions currently in place as outlined by the Operating Guidelines:

• If you come into school in the morning and intend on going into a classroom or meet with a staff member in a room you must sign in at the office.
• All volunteers for tuckshop etc must sign in at the office.
• When adults attend any school events they are requested to physical distance and adhere to sign in requirements as outlined by the school. Sanitiser will be available for use by adults upon entering.
• Events need to be by invitation to specific groups to limit increased adult numbers and ensure that appropriate spacing can be provided for adults
• Assemblies each week will be attended only by the parents of the year level presenting and those contacted by teachers if students are receiving an award.
• School masses will also be by invite only. We will be using St Clare’s Church with our students for masses moving forward. For our Opening Mass this Friday we are inviting Yr 6 parents to attend as their children will be receiving Captain and Leadership badges.
• Further information regarding interschool sporting events will be forwarded once finalised.

If there are any changes to what has been outlined above we will let parents know. We thank all parents for your ongoing support with the guidelines.

Opening School Mass

This Friday February 5th we will have a whole school mass to signify the beginning of the school year. Year 6 parents are invited to join us in the Church for the 9:00am mass.

Meet and Greet Evening – Feb 9th

Next Week, on Tuesday February 9^th, we will be hosting our Parent Student Teacher “Meet and Greet Evening”. This will be held between the hours of 5:30pm and 6:30pm.  Students are invited to bring their parents into their classrooms to meet their teacher/s and to show them some work they have been doing since commencing school. There will be important documentation for each family to take home from each class. Parents will have ample time to visit all classrooms with their children and can visit at any time during the hour timeframe. If you need to speak with your child’s teacher about any important issues please make an appointment with them at another time.

All families will need to sign in using the QR code that will be placed near each classroom block (only once per family) and we need to limit each room to no more than 5 family groups at a time with visits under 10 minutes in a room.

Important Forms - Please return forms promptly

During the next few weeks there will be important letters/forms sent home that will require parents to complete information regarding permissions, volunteering and transport. The emergency transport form sent home last week was due today.  Your cooperation in actioning these within a few days will enable us to finalise our important administrative tasks. It is always best to complete forms straight away so they are not forgotten. Many of these forms will be sent through the Parent Slips straight to your email. Simply click on the link and fill out the online form. Thank you in anticipation!

Important Safety Reminders

School/Parish Car Park

Children must not walk through the car park area unless accompanied by an adult.  Parents must meet children at the ramp to walk them to the car. Do not call your children to your car or into the carpark as this is unsafe. Please also note that children need to be accompanied by an adult when crossing Mars Street. Staff will not let children cross Mars St to a parked car on the opposite side of the school.

No U Turn in Mars St

The street in front of the two schools in Mars Street has signs that indicate u-turns are prohibited. Please adhere to this as it is for the safety of everyone.

Wishing you all a peaceful week,

Narelle Harney