Filter Content
Next week students will commence their school holiday early whilst staff attend to Professional Learning.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the whole school community for their strength and positivity during, what is possibly, the most challenging term we have faced. From the commencement of the year to now- we have experienced unprecedented times. Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. We already miss you, and your children's, friendly faces around St Mary's!
I would like to thank our staff for working with a solutions-based mindset - for being determined to make the best of a difficult situation. A farmer friend of mine said the other day, "I know I can't drive a tractor and muster sheep at the same time, so I don't know how teachers are managing at the moment." He was referring to teachers working face-to-face in a classroom and providing remote learning for students at home. Our staff are working long hours to enable learning, both theirs and their students. I sincerely thank them for their hard work.
Moving to remote learning will be an ongoing journey for all of us, however, we are determined to work with each of you to make it a success. Your feedback, comments and questions will assist with this process.
I would like you all to take a break from school learning over the next three weeks. Please enjoy the time together and take a breath. For those of our parents who will be working through the break, we thank you for this, we appreciate the sacrifices you are making.
Below is a very and true pertinent quote for each one of us to consider, provided by our inspirational Assistant Principal, Sally Croker.
Remote Learning - Q&A
Will the school be open next term or will you be providing just Remote Learning?
At this stage, we have not received an answer to this question. We have been told to prepare for Remote Learning to commence in Term 2.
Will Microsoft Teams replace Google Classroom as the remote learning platform?
We have been told that Microsoft Teams will sit under our current platforms to add a layer of extra security. We have been advised that Google Classroom will work hand-in-hand with Microsoft Teams. We will have more of an understanding of the impact of Microsoft teams on our current set-up after our training next week.
Do we need to complete all of the online tasks each week?
At this stage, it has been hard for teachers to gauge how much work to upload for students. As the week has progressed we are realising that students are not going to be able to complete as much as we would in a face-to-face school day.
Please complete what you are able to. Tasks can also be modified to suit your home situation. Learning happens in the home all the time that is unscripted. We really do not want families to worry - whatever you can manage is fine with us. Your relations and mental health is your first priority.
How do I access the Remote Learning Resources?
Links and instructions to our Remote Learning platforms can be found at our St Mary's Remote Learning Hub, accessed from our school website www.stmarysc.nsw.edu.au.
Go to the Education option in the navigation bar and then choose 'Remote Learning Hub' from the drop-down options. When this page opens click on "St Mary's Remote Learning Hub'. This will take you to our weebly site http://stmarysc.weebly.com/
Handing in student work can be done in many ways.
Completed print work can be returned to the Old School Hall each week. The student trays will be in the Old Hall. Pop your students work in there for their teacher to collect. Materials to collect will also be placed in the trays.
You could also scan or photograph work and email it to your classroom teacher. Your teacher's email address is in the following format - Jane.Robson@cg.catholic.edu.au.
You could upload files to the Google Drive through Google Classroom tasks - these can be done on google documents or uploaded as PDF's. I will run a Parent Video Conference on how to do this next term.
My child has print materials, do I need to access the online materials as well?
No, we understand that not everyone has suitable access to the internet, data or devices at home. Print resources will be provided to students unable to access the internet. Please let Belinda know if you require these.
Next term we are aiming to provide a blend of print and online activities.
I am getting inundated with Google Classroom email notifications, can I turn these off?
Yes, you can. Go to the landing page of Google Classroom, and click on the three lines in the left-hand corner. Circled in red below.
Scroll down to the end of this list, and click on 'Settings'.
Here you choose to turn off either all settings or just turn off notification for one or more classes.
CleverTouch Interactive Panels
Our new Clever-Touch panels are up and running! They have a finger touch screen, height-adjustable electronic stand, instant messaging and inbuilt operating system. The staff will receive PD on Monday to become familiar with their many fantastic features.
A huge thank you to our P&F Association supporting us with funds for these new panels.
We are giving away two more interactive whiteboards with projectors to anyone who would like them, the only catch is you will have to remove them yourself. Call Belinda if you are interested.
Happy Easter!
Next week we enter Holy Week. As the Holy Week and Easter services have been cancelled we will post resources for you to access with your children, if you wish.
You can also join the Easter services and join in online Masses with Fr Joshy through the Goulburn Mission Facebook page -https://www.facebook.com/MQAParishGoulburn/
We hope you all have a happy, safe and healthy Easter break!
Let us Give Thanks
This Sunday is Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of Holy Week. Holy means "set apart." Christians set apart an entire week (Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday) to recall the greatest tragedy and sorrow and the most important time in our history – the suffering and death of Jesus for our sake. It will be very strange for me and for many Catholics worldwide not being able to commemorate these important events with others. But perhaps it can be a time of quiet contemplation, prayer and worship.
Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday, we celebrate the first joy of the season, as we celebrate Our Lord's triumphant entrance into Jerusalem where he was welcomed by crowds worshiping him and laying down palm leaves before him. But this joyous return to Jerusalem is only one side of the story.
By now many were filled with hate for Jesus, especially after he offered proof of His Divinity during a previous visit to Jerusalem where he announced…
“I told you, and ye believe not: the works that I do in my Father's name, these bear witness of me” (Jn 25) “I and the Father are one” (Jn 30).
Many people did not believe Jesus. They called Him a blasphemer and wanted to see him dead. After His triumphant entry into Jerusalem Jesus retreated to the Mount of Olives nearby and foretold the apostles the events of the next several days, including His impending death.
Holy Thursday
Jesus returned to Jerusalem on Thursday, to share the Last Supper with His apostles…
‘Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you” (on the cross) “Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”’ (His blood poured out in death) (Luke 22:19,20).
We go to mass to remember Jesus’ last supper and his sacrifice.
After supper, whilst praying in the garden, Jesus was arrested and subsequently tried.
GOOD FRIDAY
Jesus was crucified at Calvary outside the gates of Jerusalem on Friday…
‘Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.”’ (Luke: 23:46,47)
Jesus was buried the same day, and arose three days later, on Easter Sunday…'So it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead' (Luke 24:46)
All of this was done by our Lord for forgiveness of our sins, and for life everlasting with Him. God so loved us, that He sent His only begotten Son to die for us and bring us closer to him. Let us reflect next week on the significance of Jesus’ last days on earth.
With the reality of Remote Learning upon us, the access to Online sites can be both a blessing and a danger. Included this week are two sites to help parents and carers keep their students safe and entertained!”
https://www.jkrowling.com/harry-potter-at-home-launches-in-response-to-covid-19-emergency/
Latest Rep Sport Trial Update
CSNSW are planning to suspend all student registrations on their website until further notice.
Registration levies will be refunded to parents and they are looking at the most efficient way of doing this (hopefully within the next few weeks).
Today, the NSWPSSA and NSWCHSSA announced that due to the COVID-19 outbreak and ‘social distancing strategy’ all of their programs for Terms 1 and 2 are now cancelled.
This includes:
TERM 1
- 6 – 7 April 2020 NSWPSSA Swimming Championships - Sydney Olympic Park
TERM 2
- 5 – 7 May 2020 NSWPSSA Boys Basketball Championships – Terrigal
- 5 – 8 May 2020 NSWPSSA Tennis Championships – Broadmeadow
- 19– 21 May 2020 NSWPSSA Girls Football Championships – Rooty Hill
- 19 – 21 May 2020 NSWPSSA Boys AFL Championships – Byron Bay
- 26 – 28 May 2020 NSWPSSA Boys Football Championships – Griffith
- 26– 28 May 2020 NSWPSSA Girls Hockey Championships – Unanderra
- 2 – 4 June 2020 NSWPSSA Boys Hockey Championships – Newcastle
- 16 – 18 June 2020 NSWPSSA Boys 11 years Rugby League Championships – Kiama
- 23 – 25 June 2020 NSWPSSA Open Boys Rugby League Championships – Tamworth
- NSWPSSA Knockout Competitions
Please note these events are ‘cancelled’ contrasted to ‘suspended’ or ‘temporarily ceased’, this implies to me that they will likely not be re-scheduled.
They will update their webpage to reflect this announcement including the flow-on effect this will have on our selection trials etc.
St Mary's Church closed
St. Mary’s Church is now closed with all masses cancelled.
Fr Joshy will be doing Mass on line. It can be accessed through our facebook page. "St. Mary’s Church Crookwell".
Masses can also be accessed through the Catholicvoice.org.au
Maybe parents could help grandparents to access on line masses.
All Sacraments are on hold for now.
All Baptisms are on hold for now.
If any enquiries please contact Parish office
Parish Office
For Parish and Sacramental matters please forward your enquiries to Parish Secretary, Janet Haynes or Pastoral Associate Sr Rosemary via email or call into the Parish Office at the Old Convent Building on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
Email: Crookwell@cg.org.au
Website: http://cg.org.au/crookwell/Home.aspx
Phone: 48321 633
Address: 55 Wade Street (the Old Convent Building)
The online UNSW Global Assessments will be going ahead in 2020 in the online format that they were completed on last year.
Below are the different types of assessments available. If you would like to access something other than ICAS, please let Belinda know ASAP so she can make it available on the parent portal.
