Dear Parents, Carers and Friends,

As you know we are in unprecedented times at the moment with the impact of COVID-19 on all aspects of our lives. Managing the impact of coronavirus at Holy Cross is of the utmost importance and a responsibility I take very seriously for the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff, visitors, and the school community. 

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong has launched a new COVID-19 Information Centre on its website that is regularly updated. It is the best place to find the latest information about CEDOW’s systemic response to COVID-19.  

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong continues to receive advice from NSW Health, the Department of Education, Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) and other agencies to ensure our processes and plans are in line with best practice and the latest expert advice. 

At this stage there is no direction from government or CSNSW to close any schools, except in response to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis in a student or staff member. If a school is required to close during school hours, supervision will be available for students unable to return home, with reduced interaction between students.

All CEDoW schools, including ours, continue to operate as normal, subject to directives outlined on the COVID-19 Information Centre webpage.

Summary of the Adjustments in Place at Holy Cross:

• No morning or afternoon assemblies. 

Morning

• Students line up at classrooms after the morning bell. 

Afternoon

• 3.00pm - Students who catch the bus, ride or walk home in the afternoons assemble on the Top Playground. 

• 3.00pm - Students attending CAMP Australia line up at the CAMP Australia room 

• 3.05pm - Gates open for parents to pick up children from the classroom 

• Social distancing in classrooms, as much as possible. 

• Students sitting further apart of the floor, desks separated as much as possible

• Scheduled, supervised hand washing routines

• Enhanced cleaning for high-touch surfaces

• Reinforcing sneezing and coughing into elbows or tissue (disposing of the tissue straight away and then washing hands)

• Cancellation of whole school and inter-school Sporting events

All updated information and communication regarding the management of COVID-19 will continue to be sent to Principals from CEDoW. In turn, this information will be sent to parents without delay. 

I thank our parent community for remaining calm and respectful in their interactions with the school. I also thank our school staff team for the calm, dedicated and professional approach to their work and the students in their care each day in a continually evolving situation.

Please feel welcome to contact myself, through the school office, if you need.

NAPLAN Update  - This Afternoon

NSW Government Education Council agreed today that NAPLAN 2020 will not proceed to help Principals, teachers and school staff focus on student learning during the outbreak of COVID-19.

Family Fun Day 2020

Thank you for your support of our Family Fun Day 2020. Despite the inclement weather and the cancellation of the rides, our students still enjoyed themselves immensely! I cannot thank the parent community enough for their support of this event. I would particularly like to thank Mrs Walsh and Mrs Wallace, and their families, for their coordination of the fete. More ‘thank you’s’ can be found in the P&F section of the newsletter.

2021 Kindergarten Enrolment Applications

2021 Kindergarten Enrolment Forms are now available from the school office. You may also access the forms from our school website or by clicking on the link below. All applications need to be received by Thursday, April 9 2020.

CEDoW PRIMARY_Enrolment Form, Policies and Procedures.pdf

Best Wishes

Mrs Kaylene Duffin 
Principal