Dear Parents and Carers

This week we it was lovely to see the Kinder and Year 1 students return so happy and eager to learn along with our staff. Next week we look forward to having the Years 2 to 6 students return. We certainly hope that lockdown becomes a practice of the past as school life begins to resume to full time learning. Thank you so much to our Kinder and Year 1 parents who have endeavoured to follow all the Level 3+ restrictions. It isn’t easy but we navigate this road together. The children have quickly adjusted to remaining within their Cohorts for playtime and pick-up and drop-off.

• We will be resuming on-site under Level 3+ restrictions. Children must remain in their separate Stage cohorts for learning activities, sport, playtime as well as afternoon pick up and bus lines. Face masks are compulsory for all staff and visitors to school and encouraged for Primary students. Regular hand washing and use of sanitiser is also encouraged daily. The classrooms are cleaned very thoroughly each day and ventilation in all classroom spaces is a high priority. Windows will be opened to ensure adequate air flow, supported in addition with ceiling fans and air-conditioning. Parents to help stop the spread of Covid we urge you if you child/children are unwell or have flu like symptoms please do not send them to school. We don’t want an outbreak at St Bede’s as we want all our community to stay safe and well.
• The school is only open for essential visitors or to support the delivery of the school curriculum. Unfortunately, this means that we are still unable to welcome parents back on-site. Please say goodbye to your children and collect them in the afternoons from the rear of the school, using the small and/or large gate at Elrington Street. This will avoid unnecessary congestion at the front gate with the students catching the bus. Parents please ensure you maintain social distancing of 1.5 m with other parents. Bus children will enter and exit the school from the front gate as usual. There will be an extra teacher on duty at both entry and exit points before and after school. Parents and carers are only to enter the school grounds if a staff member has requested you too. Alternatively, please call the front office on 4842 2413 so that we can assist or support you with any enquires.
• At this stage we are also not able to hold excursions, conduct private music lessons, assemblies, Class Masses or any school productions that include singing and dancing. It is anticipated that Kindergarten Orientation will be able to occur during Weeks 7 and 8 as planned.
• The celebration of First Holy Communion is permitted to go ahead and will occur on Sunday November 21 at 10:30 am at a special mass for the candidates and their families. The regular Parish Mass will be held at 6pm as usual.

The Father's Day raffle was unable to be drawn due to remote learning. The raffle is now a wellbeing raffle, with prizes to be won for every family. Please return all raffle ticket butts and money to the front office by Thursday, November 11. The raffle will be drawn at school on November 12. If you require additional raffle books, please contact the front office. Proceeds are going towards the purchase of new IT equipment for the students.

Please keep our Braidwood community in your prayers and continue to be thankful for the small everyday blessings around us.

Marylou Gorham