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Dear Parents/Carers,
Over the weekend the Prime Minister announced a further tightening of the restrictions around social distancing with no more than 2 people gathering together. As a result of this we have switched to using video conferencing for our meetings at school.
The Prime Minister also announced that Australians who lose their jobs will be given a wage subsidy to cover up to 80 per cent of their income. The federal government is planning to pay workers a proportion of their wages to see them through the crisis, with a proposal to get employers to transfer the money to their staff as an alternative to using the welfare system. This is great news and I have no doubt many of our families are waiting to hear the details of this proposal.
In the meantime, a number of families have contacted the College as a result of the financial stress caused by the COVID-19 crisis. This is not unexpected and I encourage anyone impacted to do the same. We have been able to work with these families to ensure that their child is able to continue their education at the College. Please contact the Finance Department of the College as your first step before you make any decisions for financial reasons relating to your child's ongoing enrolment.
I am serious when I say we will do what we can to assist our families on a case by case basis at this time.
COUNSELLING
The College Counsellors are currently investigating how they will be able to provide ongoing support in some form. While exactly what this might look like is still unclear it will most likely include some mix of face-to-face and online services. Our ability to support ongoing face-to-face support will be limited by the social distancing protocols and the degree to which schools are ‘locked down’. Details as to what this will look like will be outlined in the near future.
ENROLMENTS - 2021 and BEYOND
Enrolments for 2021 are currently being accepted – application forms can be downloaded from the College Web Site at:-
or by emailing: enrolments@trinitylismore.nsw.edu.au
I would ask that you encourage anyone you are aware of who is looking to apply to enrol their child in 2021 to do so now. Again, I ask you tell anyone you know who is thinking of sending their child to the College that we are open to discussing their financial position.
Take care and may God bless us all in this very difficult time for our country and the world.
Brother John Hilet, fms
Dear Members of the Trinity Community,
The world of blended learning - a style of education in which students learn via a mixture of electronic and online media, as well as some face-to-face teaching - is new for students, teachers and parents/carers.
I have received a lot of feedback from students, parents/carers and teachers about this whole new world. My consistent response: we must be patient and find solutions to the many challenges that have already presented themselves, and will no doubt continue to present themselves.
We are all human beings trying our best, so let us remember to respect the humanity of all we meet in the days and weeks ahead.
Student focus areas this week:
- Establish routines that work best for the student and ensure ‘balance’ is achieved - physical, psychological, social-emotional and spiritual.
- Set daily learning goals that are achievable. Remember not everything needs to be completed in one day. Pace yourself.
Teaching focus areas this week:
- Build consistency in how learning is delivered, paced and accessed across subjects.
- Engage with students pastorally and provide meaningful feedback about their learning. Encourage students to strive for balance.
From today, Monday 30 March 2020, English and Mathematics take home packs for Year 7-10 students, without internet and/or device access, can be collected from SJS Office (Leycester Street). These have been prepared and printed for collection. I thank those staff who prepared these packages.
An excellent link for parents/carers: Online resources parents need to make it easier to homeschool during the coronavirus crisis.
For Year 12 students - information from UAC.
I wish you and yours peace and good health.
Mr Jesse Smith - Assistant Principal -Learning & Teaching
Dear members of the Trinity Community,
As we begin the second last week of Term, student numbers were the lowest yet. A growing number of families have decided to self-isolate and informed the College - through the Principal’s Office - of this decision. Again, we ask that a decision that is made is final and information goes through principal@trinitylismore.nsw.edu.au. Nonetheless, those students on site engaged again in a well supervised and safe, supportive environment.
- The College’s Leadership Team continues to meet daily and adapt to the ever-changing situation.
- Middle Leaders and Counsellors are also meeting frequently as Leaders of Learning and Heads of House ensure a balanced approach for the care of each student - the whole person.
- Teachers are continuing to work hard at developing online learning experiences, monitor progress and provide feedback.
- All school staff are continuing to work hard to ensure the safe, clean, orderly and ongoing operation of the College as normally as possible.
As per Mr Smith’s correspondence: balance is emerging for everyone as a key priority. I would reiterate his messages of focus for students this week. The linked document here also provides us with some tips to assist our students to work from home.
A pastoral care message is being sent to students at the beginning of each week. It contains a simple message of hope and some ideas for staying healthy. There is a Student Wellbeing Hub on Lighthouse that all students can access and it contains more useful links and connections.
Take care and God bless,
Mr Travis Lyon - Acting Assistant Principal - Students & Staff
Religious Education & Mission Update
Dear Parents /Carers,
As we approach Easter the Ministry Team at the College will each morning be sending out a Prayer and Reflection based on the Stations of the Cross. Attached to these will be an inspirational link to help support students in this time of uncertainty. These will include short meditations, thoughts for the day, videos etc.
We will send you a full copy of this material so you can engage with your child if you wish. We will also attach links that you might find inspirational and comforting in this time of COVID-19, the address given by Pope Francis (Urbi et Orbi) and also the Pastoral Letter from our Bishop Gregory Homeming.
We will continue to stay in contact and send daily prayers/reflections as long as necessary.
I have included a prayer that I found comforting in these changed times.
Regards
Mr Tom Gahan - Assistant Principal - Religious Education & Mission