Dear Families,

Welcome back to Term 1 2022. I hope everyone managed to have a restful break. I know some of you had holiday plans cut short or changed, but I also know many were able to get away and have a break.

It was wonderful to see students yesterday. Our new kindergarten students seem to have settled right into school. Some of our ELC students started preschool a few weeks ago as part of our holiday program, others started yesterday with the remainder joining us on Thursday. I have enjoyed popping into the ELC to get to know some of the children over the last few weeks and look forward to getting to know them this year. I would like to thank parents and carers for supporting us yesterday, especially with drop off and pick-up procedures and collecting the RATs.

This had not been an ideal start to the year, especially given we have had to cancel or postpone all Term 1 sport carnivals, excursions and camps. I had a chance to speak with Year 5 and 6 students who were especially disappointed about and assured them that we are looking into alternatives.

Staffing
Over the break we had some changes to staffing. Lucy Keech has stepped away from her position to allow her time to look after her ageing parents. I know you will join me in wishing Lucy all the very best. We also held interviews for a number of positions in the Preschool and I congratulate Mr Matthew Foote, who will take the Waratah class at the end of the week. Matthew will also be spending a few days in the Primary school in Year 4 and 5. Ms Kimberley Haines will be joining the team in the ELC front Office and Ms Anit Tomy joins us as an Educator with the Waratah’s I am sure you will help us welcome them to our community. I will have an announcement regarding Lucy’s replacement next week.

COVID Tests
Thank you for your patience and support as we hand out the ACT government supplied RATs. At this stage we seem to be receiving the tests one week at a time, so we will have to look at how we can deliver these tests each week. The ACT government’s preference is for parents and carers to collect the tests in a COVID safe way. Last week I advised families to administer the first test as soon as you could and to hold onto the other test. Now it seems we are receiving a regular shipment of tests, I suggest that families administer the tests twice per week (Monday and Wednesday evenings). Please notify the front office via email office.staquinas@cg.catholic.edu.au if your child’s test is positive. If your child has tested positive to COVID in the last 28 days, the current recommendation is not to complete the RAT.

Please read the Risk of COVID-19 in this newsletter.

Yours in Faith

Leah Taylor
Principal