ST ITAS COVID-19 UPDATE

I would like to offer a huge thank you to everyone in the St Ita’s Community for their prayers, encouragement and kind words of support as we worked through the announcement that two of our students had tested positive to COVID-19.

The students were identified as having tested positive to COVID-19 on Sunday evening. There was no evidence to show that they were positive to COVID-19 whilst at school on the previous Tuesday and Wednesday. For this reason, Grade 3 and 4 students attending for on-site supervision and staff that were in attendance on these days were not considered to be primary close contacts and our school was not required to be closed.

Students and staff who had been in attendance were encouraged to present for a COVID-19 test as a precaution to protect the health and safety of all in our community. We thank all our parents, guardians and carers for the proactive stance shown by getting your child/ren tested.

In this case, your child/ren can return to school once they receive a negative COVID-19 test result. There is no requirement for children to isolate once the negative result has been received.

If your child/ren tests positive to COVID-19, you will be notified by the Department of Health and you will need to advise the school. Students and staff who test positive to COVID-19 are not able to attend the school until their isolation period, as advised by the Department of Health, has concluded.

The health, safety and wellbeing of the school community remains our highest priority. We are committed to continuing to communicate with you as promptly as possible and supporting you and your children during these challenging times.

Please be aware that we are unable to provide any information about students, family members or staff who may test positive to COVID-19. I would ask that all in our community continue to pray for those who are unwell with COVID-19 and respect their privacy and treat them with the dignity they deserve.

To assist in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in our school setting, I wish to remind students, parents, guardians and carers that if they are feeling unwell they should get tested and not attend the school until their symptoms resolve.

FAMILIES LEAVING THE ST ITAS COMMUNITY IN 2022

If there are any families that know they will be moving on from St Ita’s in the 2022 school year, it is important that we are informed of your intentions so places can be offered to those families who are currently on waiting lists. Please contact our School Admin if you are moving on 03 5623 7222 or admin@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au

HOW DO WE GROUP OUR STUDENT ACROSS GRADE LEVELS

A question that I am often asked by parents is “How are children grouped in grades each year when there is more than one stream of the grade?”

The sorting of children into class groupings is a complex and time consuming process where teachers are expected to exercise and make professional judgments. It’s all about identifying the particular social, emotional and academic needs of all our children and making sure there is a balance across each grade level.

Our class groupings of children are based on a number of factors, such as:

• Current educational philosophies held by the school
• The social, emotional, physical and academic needs of the children within the cohort
• Gender balance
• Student behaviour balance
• Children who work well together / children who don’t work well together
• Family siblings or family relations
• Court Orders or Legal Interventions

Occasionally we receive parental feedback that their child is unhappy or emotional when they find they are not in the same class as their best friend/s. Whilst we will always do our best to make sure children have good social connections within classroom, it is often the case that they will not be with their best friend. Often best friends, doesn’t always make for best learning.

The strong message across all grades at St Ita’s is that class time is for learning and recess and lunch times are for socializing. If your child was to come home disappointed that they are not the same grade as their best friends, use this as a teachable moment to give your child the skills and capacity to be resilient and work through the situation. It’s great preparation for students going into secondary school and moving into the working world with people you have never met before. It is also a great opportunity for children to develop an inclusive, resilient mindset and develop new friendships.

ST ITAS COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

I need to inform the St Ita’s Community that Mrs. Jess Carrol will be taking leave for the rest of Term 4, 2021. In her place, Mrs Erin Hick will work in the Prep Room on Mon Tues, Thurs & Friday, and Miss Madeline Baker will be teaching the class on Wednesday. Both teachers are known to the class and they will be a great fit for the children.

I am pleased to announce Miss Hayley Roberts will be taking on the role of Physical Education teacher in 2022 at St Ita’s. Hayley is a qualified PE teacher and is very excited about taking on the position. We wish her all the best.

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