Dear Families,

Welcome to our first newsletter for the term, and it is an absolute pleasure to be writing this in a school full of children.  This year has been challenging on so many levels, but having the dull stillness of the yard during remote learning now replaced by the buzz and excitement of our returning children has been so good for the soul.

Can I begin by acknowledging the amazing efforts of those parents and others who have given so much to support the children working from home as well as to the staff who have demonstrated flexibility, stamina and creativity well beyond what would be expected.  However the biggest roar of congratulations must go to the children of Lumen Christi who have been so impressive in the way they have dealt with everything thrown at them.  This year has proven to be an almighty challenge but again and again I have had our Lumen Christi students shine.

Sadly at the end of term we received the tragic news of the passing of Alan Nestor (father of Hayden in Year 4/5, past students Ryan & Tyson) after a long and brave health battle.  Alan has been a parent at our school for many years and generously gave his time doing jobs around the school, often without being asked and always without looking for kudos.  We reach out to KAYLA, the boys and Alan's extended family to offer our collective sympathy.  We give thanks for Alan's contributions to Lumen Christi.  Rest in Peace Alan.

This term we welcome some new Learning Support staff to our school.  Mrs Julie Witnish and Mr Callum Stewart have commenced work this week and we offer them both a warm welcome and look forward to the contributions they will make in their time with us.

Over the school holidays we received information about the updated Ritchies IGA Community Card.  Attached is a flyer explaining the new system and we ask all families and friends to promote this among your networks to gather as many shoppers as we can to register and shop under 'Lumen Christi'.  The school receives 0.5% of your shop as a rebate which seems small but has so far contributed over $16,000 these past years.  Please get involved!

Today we have been able to finalise our Transition Program for our 2021 Preps after we have sorted through the various protocols.  the program has been emailed to enrolled families and is also included in this newsletter.  We look forward to welcoming our new recruits onsite starting from next week.

Finally, as we return to our school routines can I ask for you support in reinforcing with your children two key messages.  Firstly the need for everyone to continue to maintain strong hygiene habits (eg.hand washing, sneezing into elbows), and secondly the school expectations around school uniform (remember you need a school hat).

Have a lovely weekend, Dave

We offer of prayers for those who have died, their families and the sick.  We also give thanks for the skills and knowledge of those leaders and scientists who guide us in this time, especially those leading the medical research to deal with this crisis.

Our Lady Help of Christians, Patroness of Australia:  Pray for Us

Saint Mary MacKillop: Pray for Us

Saint Luke, Patron Saint of Doctors:Pray for Us

Saint Agatha, Patron Saints of Nurses: Pray for Us

Over the course of the school closures a number of Student Medical Management Plans have expired.  These typically are for Asthma and Analphyslaxis Action Plans, or medication plans.

If you are unsure if the school has a current plan or you know it is likely that your child's Asthma Plan has expired can you please use the next few weeks to organise an updated copy to be provided to the office.

If you require assistance or have questions please contact Lauren Wilson via email office@churchill.catholic.edu.au

Just a reminder to families to remember to contact the office via phone or the school app/website to notify us if you child is away or is running late so that we can update our attendance records.  Families are also encouraged to contact us prior to a planned absence (eg.appointments) so we can pre-record absent days.

With the new school office now being available to parents, any late arrivals or early dismissals can be done via the iPad in the reception foyer.

With our return to school under COVID restrictions we have been advised to review our Learning Enrichment and other school events.  It feels like we have spent the year being pushed into a corner and being forced to cancel-cancel-cancel events, but the tide has turned and we can begin to be a little more optimistic.

The current simple rule is that we are restricted from having any visitors or parents on site.  This rules out the obvious things like playgroup, special food days, incursions and school photos ..... at the moment.

However we can now look to scheduling Cambo's Kitchen (operated by staff volunteers only) as well as school camps and Prep 2021 Transition (preschoolers only, no parents).

Camps have to be compliant to a significant number of external regulations, but with DOSCEL support we are looking to be creative in how we can put together a camp experience for our students across Year 3 to 6.  Once we have any firm ideas we will communicate with those families with students in those year levels.

The sacrament program is still in a holding pattern until the State Government again allows faith communities back into their places of worship.  Once we have access to the Church we can then quickly respond with a schedule of prioritising First Communion and Confirmation, with Reconciliation highly likely to be postponed to 2021.

Our Transition program for our 2021 recruits will be communicated to families once we have confirmed a few of the finer details.  Again we ask for your support in completing your enrolment application as soon as possible so we can adequately support your child's transition to primary school.

Thank you to all our current Lumen Christi families that have submitted their enrolment forms for Prep 2021.  This term we begin liaising with DOSCEL to construct our 2021 School Budget so we appreciate your support in confirming enrolments as this helps shape our financial planning.  If you know of other new families planning on joining us next year please encourage them to make contact with us.

This year all enrolments will be completed on documentation provided by Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited [DOSCEL].  This support from DOSCEL enables all catholic schools to have a level of consistency but more importantly meet all legislative demands.

These forms are available online via the school website, and can be completed online PDF.  If you require further support or access to the forms for 2021 Prep Enrolments please contact the office.

Click here - ENROLMENT DOCUMENTATION

We have been able to finalise our Transition Program in line with our responsibility to meet all COVID protocols.  We look forward to welcoming our 2021 recruits onsite!

As school returns we ask for support from parents to ensure that their children are in full summer uniform or sports uniform on the correct days.  We ask for students to only wear uniform items to school.

Also a reminder that in Term 4 all students need to wear a school hat.

The Uniform Shop has good stock of items, including new and used school shoes.  If you would like to purchase new items they are available via CDF-PAY link and when we return make contact with us about your uniform needs.

We appreciate your support in ensuring all children are in uniform.