1. Reassure your children about returning to school.
2. Start conversations about school routines and prepare them for possible changes in some school activities.
3. Set the alarm to get children ready to wake at a particular time.
4. Have a set recess and lunch break; you could even pack it in their lunchbox.
5. Return to your regular bedtime routine.
6. Be prepared, some children may be emotional. They may need some extra support. 
7. Talk about how each family member is feeling. For example, if younger children find it hard to express their feelings, they could draw or write how they are feeling.

Please see below an article that will help families transition back to school after lockdown.

There has been a number of significant changes to previously-announced arrangements for all NSW schools. As we prepare for the staged return to face-to-face learning from Monday 18 and 25 October 2021, please find below a co-signed letter that was sent to all parents on Monday 11 October.
As new information becomes available to us, we will provide updates to keep you informed.
We are extremely excited to be welcoming our first group of students back to school next week.

St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church - Sacraments
Many of you would be anxious to find out about what is happening with Sacraments this year. Confirmation will be going ahead at this stage, and Fr Damien is meeting with the team next week to plan further arrangements. Reconciliation and First Communion will be discussed at this meeting, and any decisions made will be communicated as soon as possible.

Some upcoming calendar events for Term 4:

Mrs Madaschi
Religious Education Coordinator

Congratulations to the following students who are receiving a Merit or Religious Education Award this week.

To coincide with the feast day of St Francis of Assisi (4 October), Bishop Brian Mascord has released a pastoral letter to the people of God on the diocese’s response to Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ Action Platform.

In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis reflects upon the Gospel of Creation and offers a renewed theology of the natural world in light of Scripture, Tradition, and Catholic social teaching. Creation is one interrelated community before God, and humanity is grounded in three fundamental and closely intertwined relationships: with God, with our neighbour, and with the earth itself. Our task as human beings is to steward the flourishing of all three relationships.

Pope Francis challenges the people of the world to appreciate that we can no longer be in denial, indifferent, or blindly confident in technical solutions to earth’s crises. Nor can we any longer adopt a simple cosmetic approach to environmental and human crises. Whilst campaigns, recycling, and emergency appeals remain compelling, concern for the environment “is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience” (LS, 217).

Dear Year 4 and Year 5 Parents,

Every year the Diocese of Wollongong conducts trials for a variety of sports for students in Years 5 and 6.  Students who are successful during these trials represent the Diocese of Wollongong at MacKillop Level (against elite students from Wagga, Canberra/Goulburn, Sydney & Parramatta) and if selected, may represent at the NSWPSSA State level as a member of the MacKillop team.

Students are required to be experienced players and extremely talented at their chosen sport.  These trials are not gala days or school-based carnivals. They have not been designed for students “to come and try or for the experience”. They are for students who are elite at their sport and expect to make it to the next level. 

Please refer to CEO sports web for specific event details and criteria (https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/sport/events-primary/)

Base criteria need to be met to attend these trials. Below is the background information you should specify in your nomination:

• years played
• representative experience and teams (preferred not essential)
• any outstanding achievements in the sport

All student nominations are sent to trial conveners for approval. Students who have been nominated for a sport will then be informed if they have been successful or unsuccessful to attend the Wollongong trials. Successful students will receive a letter from the school detailing the trial, times, gear requirements etc...

More information including nomination forms for 2022 trials will be sent to you via Compass in the coming days.

Any questions, please let Mr Murphy know.

Thank you, Mrs Welch!

Each day during remote learning, our Pastoral Support Worker Mrs Cecilia Welch has provided the staff and students with some daily well-being activities.  She has also been attending class zoom sessions and reading stories to Kindergarten. The students have enjoyed connecting with Mrs Welch and engaging in the tasks she has provided. Thank you, Mrs Welch. We appreciate all you do for our school community. 

A Pastoral Care Worker (PCW) is a positive role model who brings genuine compassion, understanding and ongoing support to students and families.
PCW’s work alongside and complement other welfare and well-being staff in schools.
Pastoral Care Workers’ main tasks are:

• To support the school in its aim to be a safe and supportive learning   environment
• To support the well-being of students, staff, and families
• To link families to community resources and services

When students begin their staged return to school from 18 and 25 October, under Covid directives, they can return in their summer school uniform. 

Please ensure all uniform pieces are clearly labeled with your child’s name using a permanent marker. Students should know where their name is marked for easy checking. Please encourage your child to place all items straight into their bag rather than leaving them on the playground or in the classroom. 

School Uniforms are available for purchase online via Lowes online, link below. Please order with enough time for the current delivery delays.