As you receive this edition of the Inside Out you, your daughter and the family will be thinking how lovely it is to now have some time away from the screen and the books, to rejuvenate and rest for the coming weeks. You will have received your email from the College yesterday, which outlines the journey back to face to face learning for next term and some of the adjustments we have had to make to accommodate the risks that still lay before us.

Whilst we are all very excited to return to the College next term, it is normal and expected that there will be some anxiety and concern for some girls to make it back on site. Ten weeks at home, whilst not an ideal scenario, has provided some security and assurances in this time of uncertainty. The first step out of what has become "the norm" is always the hardest.

The following advice came from the Australian Psychological Society. To assist your daughter in this transition, you will need to reassure her that the decision to return to school is based on the health advice and there is confidence that they are safe to return. The data, gathered through health, is that whilst young people may contract COVID 19, most young people don’t normally get sick from the virus. The College will have in place COVID-Safe practices, including sanitising stations, girls will be required to practice good personal hygiene and everyone will be required to wear a mask. Level 3 restrictions will assist us in maintaining these good safety precautions. Everyone at the College will be working hard to make sure all are safe. If the situation deteriorates and our safety is compromised, decisions will be made to address this. Finally, if any girl is unwell or has signs of COVID 19, she must not attend school and will need to get tested and receive a negative result or no symptoms, before she can return. Together, we will be able to enjoy the benefits of returning to the College, whilst also keeping each other safe. If you daughter does have concerns about returning, please let her Pastoral Advisor or Year Coordinator know, so we can start to assist her in preparation for this transition.

This week, students in Year 7 to 9, will begin to receive their package that will provide the resources for the first week of Remote Learning for next term. The support staff have been busy putting these packages together and have included a little treat for girls along the way! I have included a few images of the organisation that was required to ensure the right material found it way into the right package. In addition to this, our staff have then offered once again, to drive these packages to the homes of the girl's, so we can be sure they receive the material in a timely way. This, in itself, was a logistical feat, to develop the delivery routes, so all would be covered. I extend my thanks to the support staff, who have devoted many hours to make this happen.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support and patience. Please reach out to the College if you have any concerns or queries. I wish you a good break and look forward to our return next term. I have included a prayer from Pope Francis for our fathers and father figures, whom I neglected to congratulate and acknowledge in our last edition, which was just prior to Father’s Day. I hope there is still a little shine left in your household for you from your special day.

St Joseph is the model of the educator and the dad, the father. I, therefore, entrust to his protection those who are fathers. Best wishes to you on your day and everyday!

Blessings

Sue Lennox - Principal

I ask for you the grace to be ever closer to your children,
allow them to grow, but be close, close!
They need you, your presence, your closeness, your love.
May you be for them as St Joseph was: guardians of their growth in age, wisdom and grace.
May you guard them on their journey: be educators and walk with them.
Thank you for all you do for your children: thank you.
May St Joseph bless you and accompany you.
Pope Francis