Dear Parents and/or Caregivers

TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER

How quickly our world can and has changed; you can see from the number of events and excursions which we have cancelled at school over the last couple of weeks. As we continue to face the pandemic, and will be doing so for many months, we need to be mindful of our emotional wellbeing. Economic hardship will be faced by many in our community. Please do not hesitate to contact the school should you require support. Thank you to all the families and students who are working in supermarkets, chemists, other retail suppliers, and police, medical and health services who are managing unprecedented demand for goods and services. Thank you to our teaching and support staff who have just been amazing in their response to the demands placed upon them. Everyone is working together to ensure the health, wellbeing and continued education of your children and our students. Teachers are working to ensure all lessons are available on Google Classrooms. It is really important our school continues to be a place of wonder, learning and peace in the midst of uncertain times.

It can feel stressful and overwhelming during an event like the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and we can all be affected differently. Read about tips to help manage any changes to daily life as a result of containment measures via the Headspace website using the link: https://headspace.org.au/

SCHOOLTV RESOURCES

There is an obvious need in our communities for trusted, fact-based and calm information – capable of moving us forward positively through these difficult circumstances. School TV will provide parents with much needed guidance on how to deal with children who are being home schooled or learning online. It will address issues such as scheduling, screen time, the importance of healthy eating, exercise and tips on how kids can remain in contact with their friends. SchoolTV updates are available on our school website. www.trinitycollege.nsw.edu.au

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Social distancing needs to be taken seriously for everyone to be safe. Social distancing is important because COVID-19 is most likely to spread from person-to-person through:

• direct close contact with a person while they are infectious or in the 24 hours before their symptoms appeared
• close contact with a person with a confirmed infection who coughs or sneezes, or
• touching objects or surfaces (such as door handles or tables) contaminated from a cough or sneeze from a person with a confirmed infection, and then touching your mouth or face.

So, the more space between you and others, the harder it is for the virus to spread. Students are being reminded of this important message.

Adapted from https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-information-on-social-distancing.pdf on 22.03.2020

HARMONY WEEK

One event we did continue with last week was celebrating Harmony Week. Students wrote messages of harmony and belonging on the MET quad, delivered daily greetings in different languages and wore elements of culture dress to celebrate Harmony Week. Thank you to Mrs Suro, the SRC and Year 12 student leaders for their coordination of this successful event. Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Everyone belongs.

PRAYERS PLEASE

In challenging times, we need to turn to God and pray for direction. Our lives and world are radically changing. This time may be an opportunity to reflect truly on what is important in our lives. St Roch is the patron saint of people suffering from infectious disease and I provide the following prayer to you.

PRAYER TO ST ROCH

O Blessed Saint Roch,
Patron of the sick,
Have pity on those
Who lie upon a bed of suffering.

Your power was so great
When you were in this world,
That by the sign of the Cross,
Many were healed of their diseases.

Now that you are in heaven,
Your power is not less.
Offer, then, to God
Our sighs and tears
And obtain for us that health we seek
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen. 

Enjoy the weekend at home and please keep safe.

Blessings

Gaye McManus

Principal

Please see below the latest correspondence from the College in response to COVID-19

SPECIAL REPORT: Preparing for Homeschooling

Homeschooling could soon be a reality for many adult carers as nations act to implement strategies in the prevention of COVID-19. The daunting task of establishing new routines and schedules, whilst juggling work responsibilities, could prove to be disruptive and challenging for families and schools.

Some young people will transition seamlessly, whilst others may struggle. Therefore it will be vitally important for parents to be vigilant in looking for signs of anxiety and depression. Parents will need to continue to be reassuring and supportive in this time of uncertainty and acknowledge that this may be a stressful time for students of all ages.

Schools will be working hard behind the scenes to ensure a child’s academic needs are met, but parents will need to play a key role in providing them with the structure and groundwork for success. Young people will be looking towards their parents to keep things in context and help ease the transition to a different learning environment.

In this Special Report, parents and caregivers will be provided with some guidelines on how best to navigate this time of transition with minimal disruption. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report https://trinitycollege.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-preparing-homeschooling

Congratulations to Gabe Wakefield and Clare Merryfull who recently competed in the ACT Little Athletics State Championships before they were called off. Well done to both. You should both be very proud of your efforts! 

Term 4

Tuesday 13 October 2020 - Wednesday 16 December 2020

May we who are inconvenienced, remember those whose lives are at stake.

May we who have no risk factors, remember the most vulnerable.

May we who have the luxury of working from home, remember those who must choose between preserving their health and paying their rent/mortgage.

May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when our school closes, remember those who have no options.

May we who have to cancel our trips, remember those who have no safe place to go.

May we who settle in for a time of quarantine at home, remember those who have no home.

As fear grips our country, let us choose kindness. And more kindness.

When we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our family and neighbours.

Amen

Anonymous

When your child needs to leave School early, please make sure they complete the following steps:

1. A written note signed from their parent/carer. This note can be made in the Student diary on the day of the planned absence, or on a separate piece of paper.

2. The student then takes the note to Homeroom and asks their Homeroom teachers to sign it.

3. The note must also be signed by a House Coordinator. 

4. The student comes to the front office with their signed note.

5. Front office staff assist student to sign out.

6. Students wait for parent/carer to collect them.

Please note, parent or carer MUST present to the Office to collect student.

The College should be notified of any foreseen student leave. An Application for Exemption Form is available from the College Office and is required to be completed by parents/carers and returned to the College at least 10 school days prior to any leave. Leave or travel over 10 days requires a different form; please contact Reception. If, during the period of leave, your child has assessments due they should also complete the Notification of Planned Absence form which is in the appendix of their student assessment handbook.

Qkr is an easy-to-use mobile app for iPhones, Android smartphones and tablets, that makes school payments a breeze. You can now pay for your uniforms, fees and most excursions using the Qkr! App.

Maths Help sessions are available for interested students.

WEEK A

Wednesday - 8.20am in MET 6

Wednesday - 11.10am (Recess) in MET 7

Thursday - 8.20am in MET 8

WEEK B

Monday - 11.10am (Recess) in MET 6

Thursday - 8.20am in MET 8

Friday - 11.10am (Recess) in MET 8

Students should be wearing full Winter uniform including the wearing of their school blazer to and from school.

Students should return in full Summer Uniform on Tuesday 13 October - Term 4.

**All sizes of tracksuit pants are now in stock. Please note these are a more narrow fit and have elasticised cuffs, therefore students may need to go up a size.

The Uniform Shop is open on Thursdays from 3.00pm - 6.00pm. When visiting the uniform shop, you will be required to sign in.

The uniform shop email is uniform.tccg@cg.catholic.edu.au

YOU CAN NOW PURCHASE UNIFORMS ONLINE VIA Qkr!

Students can check homeroom bags for items

We love to hear about our students' achievements, so please feel free to send through any information about your child's achievements to info.tccg@cg.catholic.edu.au by Tuesday of each week. We look forward to hearing from you! Also, be sure to visit our facebook site!

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTrinityCatholicCollege