Dear Parents & Friends of St Clare’s

Welcome to spring!  I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well and that you have had time to enjoy our beautiful weather, which offers a little antidote to being in lockdown.  In addition, the thoughtful effort and commitment that students and staff invest in their work continues to offer us inspiration and hope.  This can be clearly seen in the photography work of our Year 9 and 10 students, the excellent design and construction by our Year 12 Textiles students, the sporting prowess shown by the St Clare’s Diocesan Athletics squad and the wonderful efforts of the St Clare’s Environmental group to educate our community and improve our quality of life. 

Much has been written of late regarding community wellbeing and the need for individuals and communities to monitor and support each other during the pandemic.  We know that organisations such as Beyond Blue, Headspace and the Black Dog Institute can offer substantial support for individuals who are experiencing anxiety and feelings of isolation or dejection.

We also know that lockdowns bring with them a series of challenges to parents, students and teachers that are unique.  In many cases families and households are forced to adjust the way they live to ensure that students are able to continue their education online.  This coupled with the stresses and strains of sharing limited space and resources like computers, can make family life difficult.

Recently, I listened to an interview with Australian Paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey, who works out of the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.  Dr Billy has a series of podcasts and advice pieces for parents and caregivers that are accessible and useful.  If you or your sons and daughters are experiencing any stress or anxiety caused by the lockdown or the ongoing pandemic, a quick google will help you find Dr Billy and give you access to his advice.

Research has shown that a close relationship between learners and teachers enhances student outcomes.  When the student/teacher relationship is supported by parental interest, successful outcomes for students receive a further boost.  Parents who are able to engage with their sons and daughters about or during online learning, have the capacity to enhance their child’s learning growth and academic achievement.  Some simple tips for successful online learning include; having a routine for learning which includes times for the commencement of work and breaks that reflect a usual school day, turning on the student camera to allow for constructive communication between student and teacher, and working diligently to complete tasks as they are set by teachers.  

The situation of students return to school remains fluid.  The most recent information about the return of students to school, was posted on 30 August and is subject to change:

Students will return to face-to-face learning with NSW Health-approved COVID-safe settings on school sites in the following order:

• from 25 October – Kindergarten and Year 1
• from 1 November – Years 2, 6 and 11
• from 8 November – Years 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10

Students in Year 12 and those completing their HSC are already able to return in a limited way and this will continue for the remainder of Term 3.  From 25 October, these students will have fulltime access to school campuses and their teachers.

Until advised otherwise, St Clare’s will continue to be open to students of parents of essential workers.  Students who attend are expected to wear a mask at all times and bring food to school as the school canteen is closed.

My thanks to the St Clare’s staff, students and parents who continue to work and strive together under very unusual and trying conditions.  Our community has shown a wonderful level of commitment and cohesion over the past 20 months as we have worked together to ensure our students receive a quality education.

Thank you to all parents, students and staff for your resilience and generosity of spirit.

God bless

Peter Nicholls
Principal