With the easing of some restrictions from this evening it's nice to think we are one step closer to spending time face to face with others we love and care for.

Connection is so important us all, whether we like it or not. Did you know that the newest understanding of our brain's primary directive from birth is that it seeks to instantly connect us to others? At first it's a survival mechanism, however, very quickly our brain learns that we need to develop a relationship with others and the world around us in order to thrive. In fact, its being in relationship with the world and others that we develop our own identity.

You can imagine why such an extended lockdown and remote learning has presented quite a challenge to all of us. We need to see, hear, smell, interact with the world around us to thrive. We actually need to be in contact with people and the environment. There is nothing quite like it and when we are starved of it we feel it.

I hope you get to have a lot more COVID safe connections this weekend with family and friends and feel nourished by that opportunity.

Kindergarten 2022

I've thoroughly enjoyed finishing the Kindergarten interviews this week. They were put on hold last term. I've been amazed at how comfortable four year olds are on MS Teams!

We will hold our Kindergarten Information evening on 25 October over MS Teams and hope to still have two orientation mornings later in the term. 

Mandatory vaccinations

On 13 October the ACT Government announced that staff and volunteers in school and care settings for children under 12, including ACT Primary schools, will require full vaccination against COVID-19.At St John the Apostle this will apply to all staff and any visitors working directly with students such as therapists, volunteers in the canteen and clothing pool, sport clinic teachers and OSHClub.

These people will be required to show evidence of full vaccination to myself or our Front Office Manager before entering the site and working with any students.Vaccination, along with the COVID safe practices that were outlined this week in the Morning Messages to students, and changes to the structure of the school day, will strengthen our school environment as a COVID safe space for our students and staff.

REMINDERS FROM LAST WEEK:

World Teachers Day

Friday 29 October it is World Teachers Day. It is a day to acknowledge the tireless work our teachers do for their students, whether through remote learning or face to face teaching.

I would like to put together a video of our students talking about their teachers and share it with them and the community on that day. Not all students will have returned to school by then so you could help by recording a very brief conversation with your child using the questions below. If you are happy with it then please send it directly to me at Matthew.Garton@cg.catholic.edu.au . Tip: if you ask the questions and then let them talk. without talking over the top of each other, it can be edited to include only the sections where your child speaks.

If you could ask your child the following questions:

• How would you describe your teacher?
• What's something your teacher does that you really like/love?
• What do you think they do in their free time when you're not at school?
• If you could give your teacher anything in the world what would you give them?
• If you could say something nice to them what would it be?

COMPASS Parent Portal

Thank you for embracing the use of the Compass Parent Portal. It is new and there are a few differences between both the desktop and the app. A handout explaining the functions of each can be found at the link below.

Parent Portal Desktop and App Guide

Thank you everyone for working together with us as we all support your children in their learning.

God Bless

Matthew Garton