Dear SJMS Community
Thank you for your patience in these uncertain times. I have been comforted by the level of calm and consequently feel that this has enabled our school to be agile in preparing for the possibility of a potential school closure.
While there is a lot of discussion regarding school closures in Australia to minimise the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Catholic Education SA (CESA) is working closely with the Minister for Education and Minister for Health who are determining the best course of action for SJMS and all CESA schools, with the whole community in mind. While there have been some parents keeping their children at home, our school will remain open until we are advised otherwise by CESA.
As I wrote last week, if in the event the school has a forced closure, the school will contact parents via Skoolbag and email.
In the event of a school closure, SJMS has contingency plans in place to allow our students to continue their learning using online measures to minimise the impact, however until this time we haven't got the resources to offer two mediums of teaching simultaneously, which are ‘face-to-face’ and ‘online’. I have written 2 letters to date which can be cited on Skoolbag.
These are uncertain times in our community, however at the upmost importance is for us to care for each other, remain calm and adhere to the health precautions so we can best minimise the risk to each other.
12th Archbishop of Adelaide
Last night Pope Francis appointed Bishop Patrick O’Regan, currently Bishop of the Diocese of Sale in Victoria, as the 12th Archbishop of Adelaide.
This will be well received as Adelaide has been supported by Bishop Greg O’Kelly as the Apostolic Administrator for some time now. Bishop Greg O’Kelly will remain the Apostolic Administrator until a commencement date is announced.
Interestingly Bishop O’Regan was born in Bathurst in 1958. He was educated at St Joseph’s Primary School in Perthville, so will understand the mission of St Joseph’s Schools.
St Joseph’s Feast Day
Yesterday was the most unanticipated way that I could have ever imagined celebrating St Joseph’s Day. On this day we traditionally acknowledge our patron saint and acknowledge our Year 6 Leaders and bless our Year 3 bibles. While we still managed to do this, it was very different. I trust those that were able to see our Leadership Ceremony and Year 3 Bible Blessing by Fr Mullins enjoyed the coverage.
NAPLAN
In the last few hours, the Commonwealth and State Education Ministers have taken the decision to cancel this year's NAPLAN tests citing the potential for lower participation, problems with marking tests and an unnecessary administrative burden on already-stressed schools. The tests for Tears 3, 5, 7 and 9 will resume next year. The Coordinated Practice Testing will therefore not proceed on Monday 23 March 2020 for our Year 3 and 5 students.
Swimming
Congratulations to our Year 4, 5 and 6 swimmers who competed at the SA Catholic Primary School Sports Association Swimming Carnival at Magill University Pool. Congratulations to Odessa, Madeleine, Mia, April, Eve, Mary, Riley, Ben, Advay and Lachlan. A special congratulations to Ben who won Age-Group Champion. While Riley, Lachlan, Ben and Eve won the 13-year-old division. We collectively did a magnificent effort to come 4th overall.
Phone call
I was delighted to hear from a parent who wanted to praise two students for the manner in which they embraced his son during the course of the Basketball season. News like this is wonderful and makes me realise that our motto ‘ín omnibus caritas’ lives and breathes in our community and within our children. I have spoken to these boys and congratulated them for making a positive difference in our community.
Sport, Tournament of Minds and Chess
I have received information from all of the above organising bodies to say that all events have been postponed until further notice.
As there will be many twists and turns in the road ahead, I will keep you informed of any updates as I hear them.
Please look out for each other as our wonderful nation and school navigates its way through the coming weeks.
God Bless
Brady Stallard
Photo: Congratulations to Ben awarded Year 6 Boys Age Champion at the SACPSSA Swimming Carnival
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