I’m sure you share with me great concern for the necessity of Stage 4 restrictions in Victoria. Join me in prayer for all those who are being deeply affected by these necessary restrictions. If not the virus, it would be the emotional trauma and anxiety that each person living in Victoria will be facing at least for the next 6 weeks. My daughter and grand daughter have been in isolation for 4 weeks now in Melbourne and my son-in-law is now in quarantine as he has two colleagues in Victorian Police with COVID-19. He has been tested twice and thankfully negative readings.

Here at St Pius X we have been asked to prepare an emergency plan in the case of the need to shut down for a full school clean as well as a plan if a long term shut down is necessary, requiring return to remote learning. I pray this would not be necessary but Victoria has shown us how small incidences lead to massive outbreaks, such is the nature of this virus.

Good News!
On Monday we opened the new Reception M/S classroom alongside the Reception T/S classroom (old Music room). The RM/S classroom used to be small office spaces and a kitchen and storage, mostly used for small group literacy intervention. It has taken us 3 weeks to transform this space. This will allow us to remove all of the current transportables rooms for the next building stage.

The current build (1C) that you have seen develop on Acton Avenue is set to be occupied mid August, just weeks away. Carpets are almost all down and we are completing all of the carpentry over the next 2 weeks.

We are hoping, God willing, to have our STEM Showcase in this space later in the term so parents and community can have a good look at our new classrooms and breakout spaces.  

Thank you for your patience in all of this, I know that Acton Avenue is a nightmare to park in with all of the tradesmen’s trucks but we are ‘flat out’ to complete the construction on time and within budget so there are many on site at any given moment. Your patience will pay off!  

Three Way Conversations
I am very impressed with the large number of families that have booked the Three Way conversations with their teachers. I look forward to hearing from you how you have found these and, in particular, the extra assessment information provided via PAT Test or Initial Lit assessments. Please email any thoughts and feedback. I know the teachers have expressed delight in meeting with you as it has been so difficult this year. If you have been unable to make a time this week, just contact your teacher and organise a mutual time together.

COVID-19
I’m sure you share with us the concern about a second wave and whilst we are very fortunate so far in South Australia, our fear is that any complacency will lead to an outbreak that we can ill afford. So we are maintaining restrictions here and implementing extra procedures. Below is information that will be placed at our entrances. I have arranged an extra sanitise of the whole school this weekend and we will ensure handwashing practices continue.

Please do not enter the school grounds if you have:

• Returned from NSW, ACT or VIC within the past 14 days and are required to quarantine.
• Been in close contact with a person who has returned from NSW, ACT or VIC within the past 14 days.
• Been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 14 days.
• Are currently unwell and experiencing any of the following symptoms:

Fever
Cough
Sore Throat
Shortness of Breath
Body aches
Chills
Runny nose
Fatigue

Thank you for helping us to protect the health and safety of our school community.