The weeks of this term are rushing past so quickly that 2021 is just around the corner. The harsh reality that 2020 has been will soon be just a memory as we surge ahead to 2021. Last week we appointed staff for the new teaching year and it is with great pleasure I can announce that Mrs Anita Chesworth, Ms Wendy Van Kerk Oerle, Mrs Susie Alexander, Mrs Kaitlin Niddrie (Hudson) and Mrs Kylie Murray will all be with us again next year. We also welcome Mr Ian Bell as the new Classroom Support Teacher and Pastoral /Wellbeing Coordinator to our wonderful school community. The new year promises to be very exciting as we move forward in some promising and wonderful ways. Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn has invested heavily in new teacher learning opportunities and programs to achieve their bold goals for the entire system that every students is a competent reader and that high impact teaching practice is visible in every classroom. These are indeed bold goals to realise the ambitions of every teacher across the archdiocese but we are hopeful that the Catalyst program will build capacity and exciting learning opportunities. Over the coming year the Catalyst program will be unpacked and every teacher will be provided with current evidence-based professional learning to best meet the needs of all our students.

A reminder to all parents that we are now in the important final period of testing and assessments for the academic school year. Our Year 10 students will be sitting their final examinations or assessments next week and we pray that they are clam and well-prepared for this challenging week.  The following week out 7-9 students will sit their final exams and we encourage them to make time in the next two weeks to revise and prepare. Our primary students are also wrapping up their assessments in preparation for the end of the year and all teachers will be busy compiling semester reports. If your child is experiencing unnecessary anxiety because of this expectation please make contact with the class teacher or PCA so that they can continue to support our students to do their very best.

Considering the current climate it is unlikely that our traditional format for the Annual Awards presentation will be permitted to proceed. We are brainstorming different ideas and possibilities as we recognise the need to be COVID safe and comply with all protocols and policies but still mark and celebrate all the great achievements that were made this year. Please note that all activities will proceed in some form, in particular the Year 10 Graduation will still be held on 11 Decembers but we are waiting on advice from the S & C Club about numbers. Please be patient as we navigate this new process of conducting major events.  Also, in line with the directives from CE it is recommended that parents provide the transport for their own child in any situation where travel is required. There continues to be no relaxing on the mandatory testing for anyone who presents with flu like symptoms, no matter how mild. We will insist on hand hygiene and increased cleaning in line with NSW Health recommendations and policy.

We are still accepting enrolments for any class across the school. If you know of anyone who may be interested but require more information then please get them to contact the school. We intend to host another Year 7 2021 transition day inviting Year 6 students from other schools. This is planned for 26 November to coincide with our 2021 leadership elections. Further information will be sent out to interested and prospective enrolments.

Today Mrs Colleen Flynn took the time to drop in a thank you letter to our Student Leadership on behalf of the student body for the generous donation of $477.75, the proceeds of our most recent uniform free day. She spoke very briefly with our school leaders about the enormous value of the donation to those in our own community with a cancer diagnosis. The money goes towards travel costs, accommodation and a range of other financial burdens that a diagnosis brings. It is very important to recognise the importance of donating to our local charities who are struggling to meet demands due to COVID and the increased financial pressure that people find themselves in. Our most recent uniform free day was donated to the local St Vincent’s Christmas funds to support their mission in our Cootamundra community.

Remember if you have to choose between being extraordinary or kind...Be extraordinarily kind!

Mrs Nicky Trinder

Principal