Dear Parents and Carers,

Schools have been asked to prepare should the time come that we are faced with a shutdown due to COVID-19. There have been no decisions made to date but it is highly desirable that all students have remote access to their learning should this occur. St Benedict’s is working proactively behind the scenes to ensure all is in place to support students. In the event of a school shutdown, student work will most likely be in the form of an online presence using shared documents and other online platforms.

To this end, please ensure you have connected with the platforms being used in your child’s Year level:

Kindergarten – Year 2        - Studyladder

Year 3 – Year 6                  - Google Docs and Google Classroom

To Help with This Could You;

• Please check with your child/ren that they have access to appropriate online platforms from home.
• Please check that your child/ren have their access codes to access 'google classroom’ or ‘Studyladder’. Teachers will also ensure that their students have classroom codes recorded for ease of access.

If you know your child is having difficulties with their login or assistance is required with navigating the online learning platforms we use, please email your child's teacher or the school at Office.StBenedicts@cg.catholic.edu.au as soon as possible and help will be provided.

One challenge may be reliable internet access. If your child will not be able to access the internet or an appropriate device, please inform us via the above mentioned email address.

I am pleased to report that students and staff are happy and settled at present. Taking a proactive approach to this situation is essential. St Benedict’s will do its best to provide guided learning and engagement for our students if we are faced with a school closure. I will continue to keep you updated as information is received.

Communication
It is VITAL that we maintain accurate and current contact information for all families. If you change a phone number, email address, postal address or emergency contact, you must inform us immediately.

Our primary and most effective form of communication is via the SchoolZine App. (SZapp). Emergency announcements, including information about possible school closures, will be communicated via the app.

Please ensure you have installed the app on your devices, enabled notifications, and checked the settings for the correct year levels.

If you would like help accessing or installing this, please contact the Front Office.

A Reminder
The following was sent home with your child on Tuesday, so please refer to it as a reminder rather than news.

Large Gatherings
All whole school assemblies, learning celebrations, liturgies and school masses have been cancelled for this term.

All external excursions and sporting events have been cancelled.

Merit certificates and Growth Mindset awards will be presented at morning assembly on Friday.

Parent Volunteers
At this stage, parent volunteers, who are healthy and feeling well, may continue to help at school. However, it is imperative that all volunteers sign in and record where in the school they will be helping. Parents and carers should not be in a classroom unless they have signed in at the Front Office.

Please note that staff members also sign in and out of the school each day.

Sick Children and Staff

All children and staff who are unwell will be sent home.
There is a shortage of teachers in Canberra, which may impact on our ability to employ enough relief teachers on any given day. We will do our best to ensure each class has a teacher, but this may not always be possible. There may be occasions when your child is given appropriate work and directed to spend time in another class for the day. All class teachers are planning to ensure that, if this is necessary, the work is relevant and will support what is planned for the term.

Though these measures could seem a little unfriendly, we will do our best to maintain a positive and welcoming demeanour.  We will continue to be guided by relevant Territory, State and Federal bodies, and will put the health and safety of our students and staff first.

FAQs
Catholic Education Canberra and Goulburn has prepared a fact sheet with answers to some frequently asked questions. This will be sent home today with your child.

SchoolTv
At the moment we are in a 24 hour news cycle about the Coronavirus. The news we are being presented with can be confronting and distressing for both adults and children alike. Below is a link to a 6 minute video on SchoolTv. This video from Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, provides some tips on helping your child understand and deal with the emotional effects of the COVID-19 situation.

https://schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-coronavirus

God bless.

Rachel Smith
Principal