Welcome back to the new school year for 2022! We hope that everyone had an enjoyable school holiday break and found time to rest and re-energise together as a family. I would like to especially welcome those new to our St Dominic’s community this year.
Our St Dominic’s staff are working hard in preparation for what could be a bumpy year given the uncertainty and unpredictability of COVID-19. Knowing this, we are prepared for whatever may come our way and wish to assure all families that our St Dominic’s students are always at the forefront of any planning and decision making.
As you are aware, Term 1 will commence for students in Pre Primary to Year 6 on Monday, 31st January. Our Kindy students will commence on their allocated staggered start day in Week 1.
Many students will be out of routine after the holidays, some may be excited and some apprehensive. It is important to be patient with our children and demonstrate positivity about the start to the new school year. Emphasise with your child/ren that home and school are a partnership and that together we will be working to ensure that school life is positive and rewarding. A calm environment is the most effective for learning and a smooth and comforting transition between holidays and school will set your child/ren up for success. You may find the ‘Stepping Back to School Pack’ provided last year by Nicole Leach our school counsellor, helpful when discussing returning to school with your child/ren. The checklist below may also be helpful.
The school calendar is now available on our website here, please use it to help prepare yourself and your child/ren, and discuss any queries that they may have. If you require further information, in the first instance, please make contact with your child’s classroom teacher. For anything that is required beyond the classroom, please communicate with Kylie Phillips our Assistant Principal or the specific staff members responsible for the event.
In line with the current Government regulations regarding COVID-19, the following conditions will apply to the start of the new school year on Monday, 31st January.
Masks
Staff are required to wear a mask indoors and outside if physical distancing is not possible. Staff are permitted to remove their mask when at the front of the classroom to enable clear enunciation.
Students in Kindergarten to Year 6 are not required to wear a mask, however, they may choose to if they wish.
Visitors to the school are required to wear a mask outside if physical distancing in not possible and indoors at all times.
Student Attendance
Students who are unwell should stay at home and parents are asked to seek medical advice if their child exhibits symptoms of COVID-19. The normal processes for advising the school of a child’s absence continues to apply.
Parent and Caregiver Access
Parents are welcome on the school site, however, the following protocols must be adhered to:
- Scan the SafeWA QR code on entry or complete the contact register located in the main office
- When onsite, wear a mask where physical distancing is not possible
- When entering the classroom, it is a requirement that you wear a mask at all times and physically distance
- Follow good hygiene practices (sanitise on entry to the school)
- Once parents have completed drop-off, they are to leave the school grounds immediately, observing physical distancing requirements
All visitors to the school during the day (outside of drop off and pick up times) are required to adhere to the above protocols and report to the main office before entering the school.
When on school grounds, adults are reminded to maintain appropriate physical distancing at all times and to not congregate in groups.
Drop Off
Families are reminded that students should not be arriving on school grounds before 8:15am.
Normal drop off procedures will continue at this stage. The following applies to all Kindy to Year 6 students.
- A staff member will be present at the ‘Kiss and Ride’ driveway each morning from 8:15am to 8:45am and will assist students with their safe entry onto the school grounds.
- Staff members will be on hand to escort our Kindy and Pre-Primary students into their classrooms and these parents should drop off after 8:30am.
- We encourage all families to consider using this option more throughout the year.
Students not being dropped off by car at the ‘Kiss and Ride’ driveway are expected to enter the school grounds through the main school entrance on Beatrice Street and not through the gate located at the ‘Kiss and Ride’ driveway.
Kindy and Pre-Primary families not utilising the ‘Kiss and Ride’ option, are required to drop their child/ren at the classroom door located on the courtyard side of the classroom.
Pick Up
Kindy to Year 6 students will have access to the ‘Kiss and Ride’ option as per normal.
We again encourage all families to consider using the ‘Kiss and Ride’ option more throughout the year for pick up in the afternoon.
Parents who wish to park in the school or church carpark and collect their children from outside classrooms, will need to follow the below procedure:
- Enter the school through the main school gate located on Beatrice Street (not the ‘Kiss and Ride’ gate).
- Use the hand sanitiser provided at this gate prior to entering.
- Collect children from outside classrooms. Kindy and Pre-Primary students should be collected by a parent/ caregiver from the door located on the courtyard side of the classroom.
- Exit the school via the main gate located on Beatrice Street (not the ‘Kiss and Ride’ gate).
Please note that the latest Government information regarding COVID-19 is available through the Healthy WA website: Healthy WA. All COVID-19 information provided above is current as of Tuesday, 25th January, however, information is subject to change at short notice. We will endevour to communicate any changes as quickly as possible.
Enjoy the final days of the school holidays and we look forward to catching up with you all on Monday!
Leon Bolding
Principal