Dear Parents, Students and Friends 

Our preparation towards Easter this year has been overshadowed by the global concerns we all share. My thoughts and prayers are with you all as we discern the best way forward for the care of our family, school community, and our nation more broadly.

Prayer for Justice  
Grant us, Lord God, a vision of your world as your love would have it:
a world where the weak are protected, and none go hungry or poor;
a world where the riches of creation are shared, and everyone can enjoy them;
a world where different races and cultures live in harmony and mutual respect;
a world where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love.
Give us the inspiration and courage to build it, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Family Wellbeing Support Resources

To support the wellbeing of our students, staff and school communities see below collated information and resource links. This information has been referenced and adapted from the ACT Education Directorate (ACT ED). To help students cope with the potential impacts of the spread of COVID-19, the World Health Organisation (WHO) have communicated the following information and resources:

• Children may respond to stress in different ways. Common responses include having difficulties sleeping, bedwetting, having pain in the stomach or head, and being anxious, withdrawn, angry, clingy or afraid to be left alone.
  
  
• Respond to children’s reactions in a supportive way and explain to them that they are normal reactions to an abnormal situation.
  
  
• Listen to their concerns and take time to comfort them and give them affection, reassure them they’re safe and praise them frequently.
  
  
• If possible, create opportunities for children to play and relax.
  
  
• Keep regular routines and schedules as much as possible, especially before they go to sleep, or help create new ones in a new environment.
  
  
• Provide age appropriate facts about what has happened, explain what is going on and give them clear examples on what they can do to help protect themselves and others from infection. Share information about what could happen in a reassuring way.
  
  
• This WHO infographic is provides helpful recommendations to help children cope during COVID-19.

Full details are attached to this newsletter with specific links to assist with talking to children about difficult events, understanding and responding to stress, information on social distancing and self-isolating and more.

Staffing Update
A number of teachers were scheduled to take Long Service Leave during Term 2. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these teachers have requested to postpone their plans in order to support their students. Mr Paul Cullen and Mr Paul Hamer will be teaching in our new context next term.

We will welcome back Mrs Belle Barling next term as she returns full-time from Maternity Leave. I thank Mrs Laura Wales for relieving in Mrs Barling’s position.

Mrs Melanie Price commences Maternity Leave at the end of this term. I extend our warmest wishes to her and husband Luke and their children as they await the arrival of their fourth child.

Congratulations to Mrs Corrinne Dell on her successful appointment to Chisholm Pastoral Coordinator (Acting) from Term 2. Mrs Dell will be replacing Mrs Price. I wish Mrs Dell every success in her new role.

Miss Lauren Herbert has been successful in gaining a full-time temporary position at the College from Term 2. Miss Herbert has been teaching Science, Maths and Religious Education this term. I congratulate Miss Herbert on this appointment.

Special thanks to Miss Rebecca Douglas and Mr Greg Czaban on the work they are currently undertaking at the College. Ms Douglas is relieving for Ms Fran Davis and continues to do so. Mr Czaban is relieving for Mr Gerard Simms.

We are blessed to have highly capable and committed relief staff supporting our students and I thank them for their dedication, loyalty and flexibility. Their work is highly valued at the College.

I will continue to update all families on a regular basis via email as more information is released to schools regarding the COVID-19 response.

Blessings on your family at this time.

Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal