Welcome back to Term 2. It is a very different start to the term compared to last year where we faced the uncertainty and challenges of COVID lockdown. Thankfully we weathered all of the challenges and protocols, rules and expectations and can now enjoy the relative freedom of a pre-COVID existence. We have received the most recent update on all things COVID from Catholic Education and have detailed them below. Most things have returned to as they were before the virus but there are still some protocols will be a lasting reminder of how the world has been changed.

The current requirements are (in summary):

• A COVID Safety Plan is only required where there is 100 or more external visitors gathering for indoor events or 200 or more external visitors for outdoor events.
• No restrictions on catering.

• COVID-19 testing remains the same as previously with staff and students to be tested if displaying symptoms and school to sight a negative test result where there has been a test
• Only return to school where symptom free and medical clearance no longer required
• Hygiene and first aid requirements remain the same
• At all times where there are people gathering, personal hygiene, physical distancing, cleaning and record keeping requirements apply
• Continue to clean high touch points once per day
• Bathrooms are well stocked with hand soap and paper towels or hand dryers
• All schools should for Term Two have and be using a QR Code to register visitors entering the school site at any time
• Schools are able to use water bubblers with students continuing to be encouraged to bring their own water bottle to school
• Playgrounds and play equipment may be utilised by students
• Students should wash their hands or use hand sanitiser after use
• All NAPLAN and other exams can proceed in a COVID Safe way

• No requirements for wearing a mask at indoor venues or while using transport services.
• Physical distancing is now recommended rather than required where practicable.
• A strong focus is to be maintained on accurate record keeping to support contact tracing in case there is an outbreak given the relaxation on other restrictions.
• No restrictions on group work or any school related activities.
• No capacity restriction in offices. 
• No restrictions on singing in places of worship.
• External providers must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan so they continue to operate in a COVID-safe way

We began this term as we finished the last one – action packed! This week has been very busy and we have had lots of students and staff out and about doing a range of different activities and learning.

• We had four of our Year 10 students selected to attend the “Build a Bridge” REROC Engineering School for the first three days of this week. Isabella Kingwill, Jack Murphy, Matilda Coggan and Zara English spent three days learning about all things engineering and were involved in a team challenge. Congratulations to Isabella and her team on coming away as the champion team.
• Our Year 10 students, along with their PCA Mr Mahon, attended the Young Careers Market on Tuesday and then visited Hennessy Catholic College.

Our Small Schools Teams competed against  combined Murrumburrah/Boorowa teams on Thursday 22 April. Both teams were very successful and now progress to the next level in Week 9 Term 2. Generally our teams were exemplary in their efforts and a more detailed report will appear in subsequent newsletters.

• Today our Year 9 students prepared and led our annual ANZAC Day prayer service. Thank you to Mr Mahon and the Year 9 History class for their reverent and respectful service. In keeping with COVID protocols set earlier in the year this year’s Cootamundra ANZAC March and Commemoration is significantly altered. Only people who registered earlier this year and who have been issued with tickets will be allowed to march. They have restricted the participation of the March to only the School Captains. We would encourage as many as possible to mark this important commemoration by lining the streets to watch the march. Hopefully in years to come we will be able to again have a large contingent of students to march and recognise this significant day in our calendar.
• Our Year 7 and 8 students have been issued with notes for the upcoming Camp Hudson excursion. This is a cultural immersion where our Stage 4 students will engage with Australia’s traditional people and culture through a range of activities. It promises to be a wonderful time of team building and cultural awareness and celebration.

As we work to improve student outcomes and engagement we have been focusing on the need for students to attend school at every opportunity. We recognise the importance of students being present in the classroom so that they can learn. We also realise that there are many reasons and opportunities that take them away from school. However, when this is the case, we encourage and gently insist that they CATCH UP on whatever they miss. Merely taking a photo of the classwork will not replace actually engaging with the information, classwork or skills. There is an expectation that they try to make contact with the classroom teacher or PCA to inform them of planned absences or upon their return. Classes continue in their absence and to avoid “holes” in their understanding they must be proactive in accessing what they missed when they were away. This does include when they are away for sport or other activities. We are trying to make the most of class time and logically we cannot pause the learning when students are away. If your student is away for any length of time we can make provisions for them to continue their learning or to help them “catch up” upon their return.

Remember: Always be kinder than necessary. What goes around comes around. No one has ever made themselves strong by showing how small someone else is!

Go gently was the parting message from Fr Kevin every time I saw him. It is sage advice for us all!

Mrs Nicky Trinder

Principal