I hope that this newsletter finds you well. Monday’s news that Lockdown 6.0 and Learning from Home was to be extended until Thursday 02 September was not news that we wanted to hear. However, in an uncertain world, it does give some clarity and certainty around the next few weeks. Once again, I thank students, staff and families for all you are doing to navigate the ever-changing and uncertain learning environment. Whilst online learning is far from our preferred or ideal approach, I commend students on the resilience, persistence, independence and creativity they continue to show and develop.

Lockdown is difficult for adults, let alone young people. Families may be increasingly concerned about its impact on the learning and wellbeing of their children, and looking for help and advice on how to support them. This week the Commonwealth Department of Health launched a new website ‘Head to Health’ which has a range of resources to assist in managing our wellbeing and mental health.

Of particular interest to families might be Chatstarter which looks at ten simple strategies for families and young people to support each other at this time. The link to the website, resources and Chatstarter is below.

https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/covid-19-support/chatstarter

Families or students who have particular concerns about their wellbeing or learning are encouraged to contact the pastoral care teacher, the relevant Year Level Leader, or the school psychologist: psychologist@crcstalbans.com.au

We are able to have vulnerable students working onsite. If families believe that their son/daughter would benefit from being onsite for one or more days, they are asked to contact the Year Level Leader or Mr Quinn.

Lastly, we encourage students to participate in the different co-curricular activities that are published in the student bulletin each day. Doing things that we enjoy, that are different and that connect us with others are all helpful at this time.

Currently the SHAPE Challenge is back, CRC’s Got Talent is running, the CRC SA Gazette is looking to recruit students interested in helping to publish a school newspaper, and Science Week is coming.

Fee Relief

With the extended lockdown some parents / carers may have been stood down or had their work hours reduced. Fee relief is available for affected families. Please contact our Bursar, Anne Ross to discuss so that adjustments can be made. Her contact details are as follows:

PH:   0427 036 925               Email:  aross@crcstalbans.com.au

Congratulations: Year 10 Students

On Tuesday Year 10 students finalised their courses for Year 11, supported by their pastoral care teacher, Sydenham staff and their family. Like all things this year, the process used for course planning has been redesigned so that they could be completed online. The students have really impressed us all with their preparation, maturity, openness to advice and resilience.

A very big thank you to Mr Eder Ramos (Year 10 Level Leader), Mr Chris Orsini (Careers) and the Year 10 teachers who have supported students during this time. Thank you also to CRC Sydenham staff who have prepared an engaging online school tour, a series of subject based webinars and then where needed attended the course planning meetings. Their support has been much appreciated.

Lastly, thank you to all families who have been with these young people every step of the way; ploughing through the course selection information and the countless conversations in the background to support students’ decision making.

MACSSIS Surveys (Formerly CEMSIS surveys)

These surveys were due to be completed in the last three weeks of term but MACS has decided to postpone to Term 4.

Newsletter

The newsletter is published fortnightly on Day 10 (Friday Week 2).

Newsletter Days for Term 3 2021:             

Fridays:    03 September,     17 September           

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