Dear Parents and Guardians
Once again, the State President has addressed us, and I am writing to confirm and clarify certain matters which impact on us here at St Catherine’s.
Schooling will continue as it has over the past month under Level 3 lockdown. All classes will remain onsite (unless they have been quarantined) and assessments will be conducted as planned. We have three weeks to complete before the winter holidays and we will do all in our power to ensure that the school remains open and operational.
However, there are two issues which I would like to bring to your attention in the hope that we can count on your assistance and co-operation. We do the best we can to enforce social distancing amongst our pupils here at school. It is a matter which we continually address with all our young people. I would request that all parents set a similar example and adhere to the social distancing guidelines when bringing children to school and fetching them at the end of the day. Setting the correct example would assist us to ensure that pupils take this matter seriously too.
The second issue is a little more serious. An analysis of the pupils who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus indicates that, in all cases, the virus was probably contracted in settings where children were in social contact with family members, relatives or friends. It is with this in mind that I urge parents not to undertake social visits and to avoid social contact in an effort to minimise infection and assist the school to manage its micro-environment as effectively as possible. These distancing measures are part of the Level 3 lockdown regulations and it would be most helpful to us if parents abide by them.
It is not my intention to sound like a lecturing schoolmaster. My appeal is based on the realities of our current situation and our efforts to manage this pandemic in a manner which causes the least disruption to the school’s operation. I trust that we can rely on your support.
Yours faithfully
Mr D.I. Maritz
Head of School