Holy Trinity Primary Granville

Dear Parents and Carers,

  The start of Term 3 has again seen us move back into major restrictions, lockdowns and online remote learning. While not ideal and frustrating, the students have settled into their routine and completing their work. This is due to the extraordinary work the teachers are putting into their planning and online teaching, and the amazing support from you the parents.  We only have minimal staff onsite due to teachers working from home. Supervision will be provided for families who need this support (essential workers or those who are not at home and have no other possible supervision options). If you need any assistance in supporting your child at home please don't hesitate to contact your child's class teacher or the office.

SIMPLE COVID LESSONS

No single layer of defense is perfect but the more layers between you and the virus, the less chance viral particles have of getting into your body.

Personal Responsibilities

• Physical distance from others who are not in your bubble.
• Wearing a mask.
• Hand washing.
• Cough and sneeze etiquette.
• Not touching your face.
• Scanning.
• Limiting time in crowded situations.

Shared Responsibilities

• Fast and sensitive testing and tracing.
• Good ventilation for outdoor interactions.
• Effective indoor ventilation and air filtration.
• Clear messaging from experts.
• Quarantine and isolation for infected people, and those exposed to them.
• Vaccines.

The more layers, the better. Pretty soon you've created an impenetrable barrier, and you really can quench the transmission of the virus. But it requires all of those things, not just one of those things.

"People who are uncertain about an intervention can be swayed by a confident-sounding voice proclaiming that a particular layer in ineffective," says Ian Mackay, a virologist at the University of Queensland in Australia. "When we listen to the loud non-experts who have no experience, in protecting our health and safety, we are inviting them to have an impact on our lives. That's not a risk we should take." He urges us to heed the advise of public health officials and scientists.

Acknowledgement: "Beating the Pandemic with a Swiss Cheese Defense" by Siobhan Roberts in The New York Times, December 2020

Warm regards 

Phil Mahony

Online learning 

Congratulations to all the children (and parents) who have adjusted to working online. Work is set each day for the children to practice their skills until we return to face to face teaching. Teachers have also tried to provide support videos for the children to watch which will help with the online activities.

There are plenty of online activities that the children can access to continue their learning. 

One such resource is the National Geographic Explorer Magazine which is now available digitally at 

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/classroom-resources/explorer-magazine/ Other free magazine resources include; 

https://digital.primarykidsmag.com.au/pk-magazine/pk-july-august-2021/flipbook/2/

https://www.kidsnews.com.au/

It is also important that the children have a break from technology. So here is a list of activities that the children can do to keep their minds active;

1. Write letters to relatives

2. Have colouring contests.

3. Plan a picnic indoors.

4. Hold cooking classes in your own kitchen.

5. Learn magic tricks together and put on a show.

6. Rent dance videos and hold a dance contest.

7. Have a photo taking contest. Share cameras.

8. Create books using pictures from magazines.

9. Play games together.

10. Press flowers and make cards.

11. Decorate small notebooks and begin daily journal.

12. Clean bedrooms.

13. Draw pictures and mail to other family members.

14. Collect rocks and paint them.

15. Make a bird feeder.

16. Write stories about past family events you have in photo albums.

17. Play card games.

18. Do jigsaw puzzles.

19. Make a collage of what you are thankful for.

20. Make paper bag puppets.

Most of all make sure that you all stay safe.

Grandparents Day:

Next Monday, at 10:00am we will be having a liturgy to celebrate the wonderful Grandparents in our lives via Zoom. Monday coincides with the feast day of St Joachim and St Anne, the parents of Mary, Our Lady. We welcome all grandparents and parents to join us. Please follow the zoom link below: 

Grandparents Day Zoom Liturgy

Meeting Number: 682 7534 2480

Password: 701811

Perimeter of Prayer:

To help connect us as a parish during this time of isolation, Father Andrew has launched the initiative of Perimeter of Prayer. He asks that we download the picture of Our Lady of Divine Love from the Granville Parish Facebook Page, and pray with our families each day. Please click on the link to see an explanation video by Father Andrew as well as other prayer resources to help connect us with our church during this time.

Dear Parents and Carers,

 Firstly, we would like to thank you for all of the wonderful work you are doing with your children in supporting them with their online learning. It isn’t easy, but all of the staff appreciate your positive attitude and enthusiasm.

1.  Routine  Have a daily schedule or routine for students to follow that fits your circumstances at home. This will help with your children (and you) knowing what the day is going to look like and the expectations.

2.  Don’t teach – help them understand  We do not expect you to be teachers and have all the answers for your child.

3.  Be kind to yourself  Take breaks, go for a walk outside with your family, listen to music, watch a comedy. Your mental health and wellbeing is also important during this time.

Sometimes things can get overwhelming - Lifeline (13 11 14) and Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) can be accessed for phone and online counselling, with Lifeline phone counsellors on call from 7 pm to midnight, and Kids Helpline available 24/7

Kindergarten 2022 Enrolment packs are available from the school office or download from our Web page. If your child turns 5 before the 31st July 2022 they are eligible to enrol for Kindergarten 2022.

Interviews for Kindergarten 2022 will continue in term 3.

If parents need the school to administer any medication to students, please see the office to fill out an authority form.

Any new asthma plans need to be handed in also.  If your child's plan has expired, please see your doctor to renew.

Thank you

10 school weeks in writing must be given to the principal before removal of a student or a full term’s fees will be payable. 

This requirement is in recognition by the family of the commitment to assist funding of the School by having their child take a place that could have been offered to another family.

Instructions for parents installing the SkoolBag app.

The SkoolBag school app is the easiest way for parents to stay up-to-date with the school events, notes, newsletters and all school communications.

Follow the instructions below to download the SkoolBag app and stay connected with what’s happening at Holy Trinity.

For iPhone and iPad users:

Click on the “Download on the App Store” button above, or go to the Apple App Store, search for “SkoolBag” and download the free SkoolBag app. After opening the app, add your school(s) and you’re ready to go!

For Google Android Users:

Click on the “Get it on Google play” button above, or go to the Google Play Store, search for “SkoolBag” and download the free SkoolBag app. After opening the app, add your school(s) and you’re ready to go!

If , at any time, you find that you have a concern with the school, you are encouraged to come to the school and speak with the teacher/s, assistant principal and/or principal, to identify your concern.

It is our aim to work with all members of our school community to ensure that we do the very best to provide a productive, safe and enjoyable learning experience for our students and professionally fulfilling experience for our staff.

If you would like to raise a concern, the Catholic Education Office has guidelines for ensuring that complaints are handled fairly. Information about how to handle complaints either informally or formally is accessed on the school website or system website. 

Please get tested if you have any COVID-19  symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat/scratchy throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of taste or smell. Self-isolate until you know your test result. Also, please do not send students to school if they are feeling unwell. 

Local Testing clinics:

Granville Laverty Pathology Pop Up Drive-through Clinic

Diamond Avenue, Granville Community Centre Carpark, Granville

Granville Clinical Labs Pathology Drive-through Clinic

110 Parramatta Road, Granville

Merrylands Stockland Walk-in Clinic

Carpark Level 1 Entry from Neal Street, Merrylands Stockland, Merrylands

Parramatta Medlab Pathology Drive-through Clinic

65 Church Street, Paramatta

Westmead Laverty Pathology

148 Great Western Hwy, Ground Floor Westmead

Auburn Central Pop-up Clinic

Queen Street, Town Square, Auburn

Parramatta Community Health Centre Pop-up Clinic

162 Marsden Street, Jeffrey House, Parramatta

Merrylands Park Drive-through clinic

Corner Burnett Street and Merrylands Road, Merrylands Park, Merrylands,

Merrylands Laverty Pathology Walk-in Clinic

417 Merrylands Road, Merrylands

Parramatta Clinical Labs Pathology Drive-through Clinic

70 Pemberton Street, University of Western Sydney North Campus, Parramatta

Auburn Drive-through clinic

48 Boorea Street, Auburn

Guildford Pool Carpark Pop Up Clinic

Tamplin Road, 2161 Guildford

Auburn Community Health Care Centre Drive-through Clinic

Norval Street, Auburn Community Health Centre, Auburn

Westmead Hospital

Corner of Hawkesbury Road and Darcy Road, Level 2 E Block, Westmead

Wentworthville 4Cyte Pathology Clinic

69 Veron Street, Wentworthville

Chester Hill Laverty Pathology

Shop 1, 159 Priam Street , Chester Hill

Smithfield Drive Through Testing Clinic

63 Long Street, Smithfield

Congratulations to the following students who celebrate their Birthday in 

July:

Noel E, Remy V, Chelsea C, Marieta S, Arjav A, Olivia C, Diana L, Mary A, Mou M, Ozas D, John T, Ariz H, Artoneise T, Rafka M.