Over the last few weeks I have been continuing my own spiritual reflections by contemplating the readings of the day or a number of other reflections from Catholic and Marist organisations. It does not cease to amaze me how many of these speak of the need to stay calm and to allow the safety and care of Jesus to carry us into the future. As I have said previously, this is not a naïve attitude where we don’t do anything and just let fate take its course. On the contrary, it is about doing what we can to improve our world and the lives of those around us and enables us to be released by the knowledge that we can do no more than our best. I am constantly reminded of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop’s quote:

“Do all you can with the means at your disposal and calmly leave the rest to God”.

Over the last few weeks and even months, as a community we have needed to live by these words. Our staff and students and families, have been doing as much as they can in an extremely difficult environment. This workload has often been difficult and has caused great stress and anxiety. Today I have sent two letters to all parents and one of these to our students outlining our transition back to face to face learning for weeks 3 and 4 of term.

The second of these letters included our reasoning and specific details of the students’ return in weeks 3 & 4. I have included a summary below: 

Further in this newsletter, Mr Cloran has outlined the major safety procedures that we have put in place so far and we will continue to evaluate and improve these as further health advice becomes available.

As a result of the impacts of COVID – 19, we have had to re-evaluate some of the evenings and meetings that would normally take place. Whilst our advice is that much of the social distancing for children at school does not apply, the directives are still in place for adults. For this reason, our Year 11 Parent/Teacher/Student meetings will be postponed. As always parents have an opportunity to contact your child’s teachers at any time with questions or concerns. We will look to provide an opportunity for parents to book phone meetings where necessary. In all situations, I ask parents and students to understand that staff also have commitments to their own families and whilst they are happy to respond to emails, the College expectation is that during the week, they will respond within 24 hours. Students in particular who email a staff member in the evening should not, as a matter of course, expect a response straight away.

Unfortunately, our Parents and Friends’ meetings will also need to be cancelled for term 2. I am extremely grateful for the regular parents who attend these and offer advice and encouragement. I am happy for all parents to email me or the College with suggestions, questions or even congratulations if you think we have done well.

Our Year 7, 2021 interviews are currently taking place for non-sibling applicants. This is as a result of the fact that these interviews for the first time need to be conducted via telephone or zoom. Once again, I thank all parents for your understanding and our intention is to make contact with siblings’ parents over this term. There will be no disadvantage to sibling families as a result of this process.

As some of you would be aware, Ms Nadine Barnes has commenced her Parental Leave at the start of this term. I have the pleasure of announcing that Mr Andrew Rees has been appointed as the Year 8 Coordinator for the period of her leave. We also welcome Ms Adri-Joan Geuking-Cohausz (RE) and Ms Sarah Cahill (HSIE) onto our staff for the remainder of the year and into the start of 2021. I congratulate all of these staff on their appointments.

As a result of Coronavirus restrictions, public masses have been cancelled around the country Bishop Brian Mascord has launched a YouTube channel where the faithful can watch him celebrate mass with us, and on our behalf. The link to this mass is here. Please log into this site each weekend and join Bishop Brian online for the celebration of the Eucharist.

Mr Steve Lo Cascio