Mother Teresa School Harrison eNewsletter

Principal's Message Week 7

Dear Parents

I trust everyone made the most of our Term 1 SABBATH Week. I know many of the teachers found it worthwhile considering the number of children who have been away, over the last few weeks, due to sickness or due to the need to be in quarantine. It has been a good catch-up week across the school.

The children all looked neat and tidy for our annual school photos. Many thanks to Craig Hart for this organisation to ensure class and family photos ran smoothly.

Harmony Day is a day to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, based on the successful integration of migrants into our community. Harmony Day is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values. Harmony Day is held every year on 21 March. The day coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Since 1999, more than 70,000 Harmony Day events have been held in childcare centres, schools, community groups, churches, businesses and federal, state and local government agencies across Australia.

The ongoing theme of Harmony Week is ‘everyone belongs’. Harmony Week is a time of cultural respect for all. By participating in Harmony Week activities, we can learn and understand how all Australians equally belong to this nation and enrich it.

Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Week. Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. Australians can choose to wear something orange during Harmony Week to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.

To mark the day the children have been encouraged to wear a splash of orange on Monday - socks, a t-shirt or a ribbon in their hair or pinned to their uniform. Please note we do not expect parents to go out and buy something special.

Cross Country Carnival

Plans are underway to run our cross country, in week 9, around the local area. More information to follow. Unfortunately, parents will be unable to attend this event.

COVID Reminders

All families should

Continue to monitor for symptoms. Get a COVID-19 test if you or your child develop any symptoms and isolate until you or your child receive a negative result. You can check the symptoms of COVID-19 here.
If you or your child has symptoms and tests negative on a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), please take a PCR test. If the PCR test is positive, you should follow the guidance for people with COVID-19. Please also remember to report any positive test to the MTS covid email covid.motherteresa@cg.catholic.edu.au. If the PCR test is negative, then students can return to school when well.
A child can continue to attend school if they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms. We remind families that anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 must not attend school.

Year 6 Excursion to Parliament House Cancelled

Due to current COVID restrictions and increase in COVID cases we have decided to cancel the excursion for Friday 25th March. We realise this is very disappointing but want to ensure the safety of students and staff is maintained.

Fees

A reminder that school fees were due today unless paying via regular instalments. If you have not already done so, could you please contact the office to arrange payment or discuss any concerns meeting the school fee payment.

Canteen News

The canteen will be open for online lunch orders in Week 8. Please note that students from Years 4 to 6 will collect their lunch orders at 10:20am, while Kindergarten to Year 3 will collect theirs from 11:00am.

There is still no over-the-counter sales at this stage.

God Bless

Carmel Maguire