In these crazy and scary times, a highlight of my week is the opportunity that I have to connect with you through this newsletter. I miss seeing the children each day and miss the constant number of people who would normally be dropping in and out of school. I’ve been reminded that it’s the day-to-day stuff in life that I so often take for granted. My prayers are with you and your family each day. Happy ‘Greek Independence Day’ to all our Greek families for Wednesday. I am sad that we should have been marching together through the city this Sunday. 

Another highlight has been reading the many stories about the successes that many families have had at home with our ‘Off Campus Learning’ program. This Newsletter has some great articles written about ‘Off Campus Learning’ at Claremont and I am sure you will enjoy reading them. I appreciate that it has not been easy for many people, particularly as you adjust to working from home and juggling your children and their school work. On top of this, are the concerns that many have about their work, businesses and finances. For me personally, this has been challenging for my family because my wife Rowena, has lost much of her income until this whole ghastly issue is resolved. Rowena’s 85-year old mother is frail with full dementia, living in a nursing home and visitors are limited. Like you, we are juggling significantly heightened demands and emotions at work, home and in other circumstances.

Some Thoughts on ‘Anxiety Versus Peace’

I am listening to the Friday morning ABC News as I write, and there is nothing that is particularly hopeful or encouraging. The spread of COVID-19, especially across Europe is alarming. I have woken up to WhatsApp messages from friends all around the world (in the Netherlands, England, India, South Africa, Italy and Hong Kong) and they are all in complete lockdown. They are in disbelief by the images they see of Australia. Surely it will not be long until we are in the same situation. The tension that comes with the uncertainty of where this is heading is incredibly difficult and for many of us. This is upsetting and causing great anxiety. For me, I find the inconsistency of news and directives very difficult, not to mention the worry I have for people l know and love. The news also does not help when leaders evoke the language of war and battle in responding to the virus. This just creates fear, anxiety and panic which we know are the least powerful motivators in human behaviour, and especially when we do not want our anxiety and irritability to rub off on our kids. So, what can we do to stay strong, positive, and replace anxiety with peace?

Firstly, Stay Safe and Healthy

By remaining at home as much as possible, you are not just helping yourself but you are helping our school and wider community. Thank you for the sacrifice you are making by doing this. 

Consider The Choices You Can Make

Consider and be heartened by the resources and relationships that are available to you. This may not always be easy, but try to cherish the time that you have at home with your children. Create games and exercise programs together. Embrace the opportunity to teach them valuable life lessons that often get lost in the crazy fast paced lives of school, work, sport and afterschool activities, that we usually live. Make a day plan together as a family, and list the choices that you have. Often this is the first step to not feel like your world is going out of control. Do not hesitate to contact wellbeing@claremont.nsw.edu.au if you feel like you are not coping. Thank you to our School Counsellor, Ms Catherine McKersie who has written an excellent Newsletter article on wellbeing. I am sure you will find it most helpful. 

Create Connection

Our ‘Off Campus Learning’ keeps children connected to their teachers and to each other. Furthermore, we have embarked on a strategy to keep families connected to the school and to each other. Should we go into a full lockdown, we will connect with you frequently and provide opportunities for staying in touch, having some fun and purpose and to care for each other. 

Create Competence

We must recognise that there is opportunity to learn and grow in ways that we would not have imagined. For the children, as well as focussing on the core academic basics, our ‘Off Campus Learning’ is designed to foster the growth of independence, problem solving, creativity and resourcefulness. Earlier this week we published a document ‘101 Things for Screen Free Fun and Learning’ link here. Print this document, or save it as a PDF in case the internet goes down.

“Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called the Children of God”

Usually I think about this famous teaching of Jesus from the Beatitudes in the context of being a peacemaker in times of conflict, wars and fights. However, it's particularly powerful when we think about the peace that we need to have in the face of the inner conflict, fear and anxiety that we are all dealing with at the moment. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. I am praying that each of us has the grace, wisdom, and strength to bring peace to our neighbours and community. I truly believe that peace comes to those whose desire is to bring peace to others. My prayer is that you will experience a sense of deep personal peace, despite all that is happening around you. 

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

I hope that you get the chance to tune into today’s online Chapel Service Chapel Link Here

I love the Bible story of Peter walking on the water. As Peter walked, he kept his eyes on Jesus. Imagine that! Walking on water in the middle of a turbulent and terrible storm. The moment Peter focussed in on the waves that were surrounding him, he began to sink. Jesus’ loving hand then reached in and held on to Peter tightly… and Peter did not go under. May I encourage you to turn your eyes towards Jesus, even if this is something you would not normally consider. 

“But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 14:27

As we move into another week, I will continue to keep you informed of any news or further developments that are important for our school community.

Stay healthy.
Stay safe.
Stay strong.
Please stay in touch. 

Love and prayers.

Doug Thomas 
Principal

  Follow me @DougJThomas

We are delighted to share a number of blogs that have been written by members of the Claremont staff team. I am also sharing a post written by my wife, Rowena.  We are blessed to have such great professional expertise in our midst and I encourage you to take the time to read each article. I’m sure you will agree that each article is excellent. Please feel free to share on your Facebook or other social media.  

Thanks again to the following staff for your contribution in these difficult times. We will get through this as we support each other.

Off Campus Learning: Independence and Problem Solving - Janelle Ford, Deputy Principal

As your child continues to embarks on 'Off Campus Learning' we seek to promote the development of specific Thinking and Learning dispositions such as personal independence and problem solving. Mrs Ford shares her thoughts on how we can do this.

Is Your Child Safe Online? - Larissa Cameron, Deputy Principal

This article, written by Mrs Cameron (Deputy Principal) provides some tips for promoting safety when your child is learning online at home.

Tips for Managing Technology at Home - Nicola Breakspear, Learning Enrichment Team

The move to Off Campus Learning brings the influx of more devices into the household. Whilst these devices are great learning tools, they can also be another potential problem for a parent to manage. Here are some tips to help make this transition a lot easier.

Promoting Wellbeing in Challenging Times - Catherine McKersie

We find ourselves in challenging times. Choosing behaviours that promote your wellbeing is more important than ever before. So what can you do? 
Catherine McKersie (Claremont School Counsellor) summarises ‘The 5 Ways to Wellbeing’, a brilliant framework that will be useful for every single one of us. 

Business Is Not As Usual- Rowena Thomas

Business is not as usual, but great conversations with your children are.

Now is a time to embrace new opportunities for talking to your children about growing up, sex and puberty. Rowena Thomas is the 'Amazing Me' educator who will be visiting our school in Term 3.

Be Respectful, Safe and a Learner when Online.

Remember:

• Don’t share private information;
• Get Mum and Dad to check the settings and websites you use; and
• Be kind and respectful to others.

Larissa Cameron
Deputy Principal

Some highlights of student learning this week.

In line with the recent developments and measures undertaken by the Australian Government, NSW Health and the Department of Education to control the spread of the Coronavirus in our community, all upcoming school events and activities have been cancelled or postponed until further notice.

Janelle Ford
Deputy Principal

Current Events

The following events are still proceeding at present.

Postponed Events

The following events have been postponed.

Cancelled Events

The following events have been cancelled.

The following events have been scheduled for the first 4 weeks of Term 2 and are waiting confirmation.

David Walliams’ Free Audio Books

This news has been welcomed by parents around the world, who will be spending lots more time at home with children over the coming weeks. 

David Walliams, OBE, English actor, comedian and successful children’s author has released free audio books. From 24 March to 23 April David is releasing a free daily audio short story. David is sharing daily stories from the best-selling World’s Worst Children series. Adults and children can tune in and enjoy the stories together. What is wonderful about these stories is David does all the voices. Plus it is lovely to have some time away from a screen! The stories run for about 20 minutes.

David’s website is also worth checking out and has lots of information about all his books. It also has a page of free fun activities that can be printed off. You will find his daily stories here. 

Go To:

www.worldofdavidwalliams.com 

Story Box Library

This is just a reminder that the Library has purchased a subscription to Story Box Library. This allows the students to watch their favourite stories at home online. We often use this resource during library borrowing sessions as it provides access to a wide range of stories and a diverse range of storytellers. The added feature is that it allows us to view on the large television screens in the Library. Story Box Library includes stories specifically associated with national literary associations and events such as National Simultaneous Storytime, Book Week, The Children’s Book Council of Australia and the Premier’s Reading Challenges. Library Borrowing sessions off campus consist of students being directed to a specific story via Story Box and then a suggested post reading fun activity. Last week we created a web link on all of the students iPads and during Library Borrowing classes students logged in to this resource. 

All students should now be able to access Story Box Library via their Ipads. However, if there are any issues please access at home as follows:

Visit www.storyboxlibrary.com.au 

Username: claremont
Password: cbrstory

Please use the filter option to select by theme, storyteller, age ie lower or middle primary and length of story.

Susan Kesur
Librarian Assistant

Thursday was our first Choir Zoom Session! It was short notice and many students missed the first session but hopefully we are ready to go for next week.

If you did miss the session, I have posted it on Seesaw for all students to access. This can be found in ‘activities’. You can also find all details on your student email. I also emailed you the details for back up. If you did not receive these communications, please let me know via the office so I can get you the details you need.

Next week, Week 10 our Choir ZOOM session will be TUESDAY at 8am. Remember this is for Year 3-6 only. Junior and Senior Choir will combine from now on and sing at the same time. Please try and come along so that I can use the session to not only sing but troubleshoot any issues the students might have.

Technology does not allow us the means to sing as a choir at the same time, virtual singing is very different. But we CAN still get together and sing in a different way.

Any questions please just email and I'll do my best to help. The students should have everything they need in their emails. 

WHY SING?

I’m sure you have seen many of the amazing video clips online of communities coming together through song and music in these troubling times. Music has the power to heal and it is more important than ever in these times to keep music alive. It helps us to escape, to soothe the soul, it releases those feel good chemicals in our bodies, it exercises our mind, it alleviates stress (and we sure need that right now). 

As the Los Angeles times wrote last week,"Italians were heard singing, 'Tell me what it is which makes us feel like we're together, even when we're apart'".

Let singing bring your family together… I’m singing more than ever with my 20 month old. I have started playing the guitar again. You might be thinking, ‘but don’t you do it everyday in your job?’ Believe it or not as a Music teacher and new mother, I stopped playing for my own pleasure a long time ago. I am now using that time to reignite doing what I love and sharing that experience with my daughter. What is your passion that you can reignite, and perhaps bring your children on the journey with you?! And if you don’t have a passion, have a dance party in your living room, put on a one act play, make up a musical! Why not? This is the time for creativity to prosper.

This is the time to teach children about how to look after their mental health and to keep the things we love alive, even during these times. The wonderful thing is they will also have lots of time to practise their instruments. Something I am very happy about!

I grew up listening to Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, Irish Folk artists and Nigel Kennedy (violinist). What will your children learn to love through this time with you? Some might argue that my parents didn’t have the best taste in music… but wow, doesn’t it bring back lovely memories when I hear Sweet Caroline!

Tara Barr
Head of Music

Eco Warriors

A reminder that Saturday 28 March is Earth Hour. Sign up to #SWITCHOFF for Earth Hour and learn about the many things that you could do to protect our planet.

Chess Coaching

Chess coaching will be ceasing until the end of the term, due to the increased risk of COVID-19.  For the last 3 weeks of term, the classes will be delivered online.  Sydney Academy of Chess will email details to all parents in the class.

Please contact Sydney Academy of Chess on (02) 9745 1170 or email enrol@sydneyacademyofchess.com.au if you are interested in more details.

At present, it is unlikely that the TeamKids holiday program will proceed.  If you were planning to use TeamKids and/or still need access to the program, please contact TeamKids directly on 130 035 000.

In the event of any future service updates, this will be communicated to you directly by TeamKids.

Welcomeasy are still delivering recess and lunch orders to school.

Orders must be placed by 10:59pm the night before for delivery on the next school day.

If you are ordering a snack item, please specify in the notes area whether the snack is for Recess or Lunch.

Please note that orders are to be placed on the ‘Welcomeasy’ website and NOT Flexischools.

You must firstly create an account by following some simple steps. Go to www.welcomeasy.com.au  

The Uniform Shop has now closed for the term. If you need to purchase any items, please place your order online via Flexischools.

All new uniform items can be purchased from ‘Wylies’ at
3/17 Green St, Banksmeadow (02) 9344 5796.

Please note that all communication should be through the email address: clothingpool@claremont.nsw.edu.au