On Sunday, it will be exactly five years since Laudato Si’ was published by Pope Francis. It is a landmark document that has been an important point of reference, not only for the Church and Catholics but also for governments, politicians and world bodies like the United Nations, as well as environmental groups and movements worldwide.

The theme for Laudato Si week is Everything is Connected. Our appreciation of this concept has never been more heightened than, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pope Francis has invited Catholics from all around the world to reflect, pray and to commit to creating and strengthening our care for each other and our home.

Return to Onsite Learning

Whilst we still have another two weeks of learning from home, we are all looking forward to Tuesday 09 June when classes resume at school.

Staff are working very hard at the moment, firstly in continuing the Learning from Home program, and secondly, in beginning to work through the many issues that will ensure that our return to school is safe and seamless.

Our arrangements will be finalised at the Staff Planning Day on Monday and we will provide a detailed update for families later in the week.

Year 10 VCE and VET Students

Classes for our Year 10 VCE and VET students start on Wednesday 27 May. Families will have received information from CRC Sydenham regarding arrangements for the return.

Staff Planning Day: Monday 25 May

Monday 25 May is a staff planning day. This is a ‘Catch Up Day’ for students, a good opportunity to get on top of work missed so that they can make the most of the final two weeks of Learning from Home. There will be no formal online classes or classes at school on this day.

We have moved!

With the completion of the office extension, we have now moved back home. The entrance to the school is now once again via Theodore Street.

Thank you to all families and students for your help in managing the temporary space.

For the moment, the library will remain in its temporary home, as we are using the library space as a flow over staff study and staffroom. This is allowing us to put in place appropriate social distancing for staff and visitors.

More importantly, it gives us the opportunity to work with students and staff to re-imagine the current library space. We are looking to paint and purchase new furniture and fittings.

Winter Uniform

As students prepare to return to school, a number of families may need to purchase winter uniform. Our supplier, Academy Uniforms has asked that we let you know that the Deer Park store is open for normal trading hours and that they recommend visiting sooner rather than later.

The store is fully stocked and adhering to strict social distancing rules. When store capacity is reached, customers need to wait outside or in their cars. All surfaces are cleaned between sales.

There are currently no queues so you will be served very quickly but this will change the closer we get to the return to school.

Online sales are also available at all times. 

Students who need to be supervised at school

For those students who cannot be supervised at home, the existing model of onsite schooling will remain in place until we return on the 9 June.

As more parents / carers return to work there are probably more families who will need this support. If this is the case, please let the school know so that we have adequate staffing in place.

Email; enquiries@crcstalbans.com.au

By phone on the normal school number 9366 2544

Vietnamese Multicultural Aide: Mr Tung Phan on 0428 045 680

Arabic Multicultural Aide: Ms Louna Ghawi on 0437 210 544

Dinka Multicultural Aide: Mr Deng Alier on 0428 158 780

Students who are working at school will do the same work as those learning remotely.

Newsletter

This term our newsletter will be published online only. Families will receive an SMS with a link to the newsletter, and students will receive the newsletter by email.

Newsletter Days for Term 2 2020:

Fridays: 05 June 19 June

The newsletter can always be accessed on the College website at http://www.crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au

Key Dates: Term 2

Monday 08 June: Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday

Tuesday 09 June: We are back!

Wednesday 17 June: Report Preparation Day

Friday 26 June: Final day Term 2