St Thomas Aquinas Primary School - West Belconnen
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25 Lhotsky Street
Charnwood ACT 2615
Subscribe: https://stthomasbelconnen.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email: office.staquinas@cg.catholic.edu.au
Phone: (02) 6258 4077
Fax: 02 6258 5834

Principal's Welcome

Dear Families,

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope you managed to have a good break from the routine of school. It was wonderful to see all of the children lined up in the courtyard once again and to be able to start our shoutouts. After each break students are invited to spotlight a person or group of people who have been displaying kindness and following our school rules. Shoutouts are one way we develop and maintain a community of care. Another way we do this is through our partnership with Harvard University’s Caring School’s network. Yesterday, Mr Michael Prosper ran a professional learning session for staff on units of work provided by Harvard to support students to develop empathy and to practise kindness. Students across the school will complete these units of work this term.

We welcome Ms Carolyn Minchin to the ELC. Many of the children already know Ms Minchin who has worked in the primary school and the ELC as a casual teacher. She will be teaching the Waratahs at the end of the week. I know she is looking forward to meeting with families over the coming weeks.

ELC students and staff were all very excited to move into the ELC building today! Thank you to all of those families who helped move equipment and materials during the break, it was all very much appreciated. We look forward to being able to showcase the building to current and future families over the next few months.

Today students will participate in an ANZAC Day liturgy to mark this important day where we remember all those who have served, who continue to serve and particularly those who have lost their lives in the defence of our nation. I know we have a large number of families in our community who have some link with the Defence Forces, and so I would also like to acknowledge your contribution either through your service or in a support role.

The ACT government has recently made changes to the COVID restrictions and quarantine requirements. Attached to this newsletter is a Roadmap outlining these changes. You may notice that this roadmap is different to the one for ACT Government schools and possibly some independent schools. Catholic Education has based its guidelines on current ACT Health advice. Some of the more significant changes include:

  • Visitors and staff are no longer required to wear masks - UNLESS they are regarded as a close contact

  • Close contacts are no longer required to isolate and may attend school even if someone at home tests positive for COVID - UNLESS they have flu or flu like symptoms. However, you must inform the school that a member of the household has tested positive

  • Students no longer need to cohort on the playground

  • Parents are allowed to enter the outside areas of school grounds - we look forward to seeing you in the courtyard!

  • Volunteers are permitted to enter the school building and attend excursions

  • We will be leaving windows and doors open throughout the day so please make sure your child/ren have their jumpers with them

  • RATs will be available on request

  • There is no longer a requirement to use the check-in Canberra app however, it will still be available for those who wish to use it

Please continue to keep students who are unwell at home and test if they have cold or flu-like symptoms.

I am looking forward to seeing you over the coming term.

Take care and God bless.

Yours in Faith

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Leah Taylor
Principal