I have been a Principal for over 20 years and a teacher for even longer and have faced lots of challenging situations. Our current situation at times seems the greatest challenge yet. Life seems to have changed beyond measure and so has how our schools operate. Walking around on Friday the last day of student attendance (less than 20) was strange and sad. We talked of shutting down buildings, basically how to moth ball the school. Yet at the end of the day I sat down with some staff to have a catch up of the past two weeks events and I received a glimmer of hope in a Facebook post –Students and staff dancing in a Virtual Easter Hat parade. It was not the way it is traditionally done but still there was the joy of smiling children, happy staff and the delight of parents that our parade brings. It is apt that we are in the Easter Season . The biggest message I draw from the Easter ceremonies is no matter how tough life can get, there is HOPE and a time for Joy.

I sincerely thank our staff who have been magnificent this term making adjustments on a daily basis and learning how to deliver learning in a whole new way virtually overnight. Thanks to parents who have been nothing but positive in what we have done. They have risen to challenge of remote learning and I am sure have risen in their level of respect for the job teachers do. Thanks to the children, I have  enjoyed looking at your online posts and how your home has become a classroom.  Please take the Easter Break to refresh. Keep safe.

As the current situation evolves, CatholicCare will continue to provide the school counselling service, which may take various formats. In some cases, school counsellors may have a physical presence in schools while others are working remotely. This may be due to their own health vulnerabilities or due to requests from schools. Please be assured that regardless of their location, the school counsellors continue to provide services to students and families. They are set up to provide phone and /or telehealth counselling using the Zoom platform. We look forward to working closely with you to ensure that we are able to provide the best support to students, families and staff.

At this stage I believe Term 2 will be similar to what we're currently experiencing with school's open to support essential workers and learning being delivered remotely. With having elderly parents myself I especially appreciate what I see as a community effort to protect our vulnerable people. Keep following the rules of social distancing, hand washing and isolating to keep our loved ones safe.

Have a HAPPY, HOLY and RESTFUL Easter Break. STAY SAFE.

P.S At this stage Year 6 camp and school photos will take place in Term 4.  More information will come through as we get closer to the date.