Dear Parents,

Online Wellbeing Support for Families

The Victorian Government is helping parents, guardians and carers manage Remote Schooling and to stay resilient during the coronavirus pandemic by providing a range of free online webinars. These webinars are aimed at providing parents, guardians and carers with practical skills, knowledge and strategies for managing the lockdown period and Remote Schooling, and will focus on strategies and tools to help families manage their wellbeing, including establishing a supportive parental role and dealing with uncertainty and disappointment. Places are still available for Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families webinar on Tuesday, 15^th September at 7:30 pm. For more information and to register, visit the Eventbrite website.

The government has also partnered with Raising Children Network and funded a 10-episode podcast called Raising Learners featuring parenting experts from organisations including the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Career Education Association Victoria and the eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant. Raising Learners will provide parents with practical advice, tips and ideas for supporting children’s health, wellbeing and engagement at school. Topics will include connecting with your child’s school community, how to best support your child’s learning, what to expect for VCE and VCAL students and how to keep your child safe online. These themes were drawn from common parent questions received by the Department of Education and Training’s coronavirus hotline and parentline. The first three episodes will be launched on Tuesday 1 September 2020 with the remaining episodes available throughout Terms 3 and 4, 2020. Raising Learners will be available via the Raising Children Network and podcast Apps.

Parent Support Group

St Mary’s understands the impact that COVID-19 is having on families in our community. In our School Advisory Council Meeting on Tuesday night it was suggested that we gather the contact details of parents in our school community and create a platform where you can call or email other parents to support you through this period of remote schooling. Having someone to talk to, who may be experiencing the same events and feelings you are, will hopefully lighten the mental load. If you are interested in adding your name to the list to receive support or give support, please contact the school office.

Camps and Excursions

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing risks associated with COVID-19, the planned Grade 3/4 camp to Forest Lodge and the Grade 5/6 camp to Melbourne will not be going ahead.  This will result in a school fee rebate for families to be processed by the end of this term.  Specifics of this rebate will be communicated once finalised. We are still hopeful that towards the end of Term 4 we may be able to plan some fun excursions, however this will again depend on the COVID-19 situation and the directive we receive from DOSCEL.

Enjoy what looks to be a beautiful weekend ahead!

Kind regards,

Joel