What an amazing difference a week can make! We are certainly in a time of significant change regarding how we function on a day-to-day basis due to the outbreak of COVID-19.  I’m sure everyone is just as overwhelmed with the information saturation that is occurring around the world at present as well.  This morning I shared with one class, the best ways to get accurate information, rather than relying on second hand resources or memes on Facebook and we found some fascinating information.  The primary resources we were using was the World Health Organisation website (https://www.who.int/) and the Queensland Health Website (https://www.health.qld.gov.au/).

The great shame about the spreading of this virus is that it has begun degrading what makes Australia such a great country.  A country known for helping out their mates, looking out for others, combatting adversity and overcoming the greatest of challenges is now the country where the elderly can’t purchase toilet rolls, hand sanitiser, and basic food items because of the greed apparent in society today.  The Catholic Social Teachings we emphasise across the College are Human Dignity, Stewardship of Creation, Community and the Common Good, Subsidiarity and Solidarity.  We cannot change the choices of others who may choose to hoard and debilitate others in society, though we can modify our behaviour, attitude and response.  In a time of panic it is natural for people to think of themselves in the initial phase, though hopefully in our Dalby community we are well and truly moving past this and are focussing on others.  This is a message that all of our community must share that it is now time to be selfless and give of ourselves for the wellbeing of others. Not surprising, this is the message of almsgiving which we focus upon during the Lenten period – not giving up, but giving more of ourselves for the benefit of others.

Please ensure that you take the time to reflect this Lenten period and consider what we can do at this time to make life better for others.

Additional Pupil Free Day

The Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools has advised all staff that Friday 27 March will be a pupil free day for all Diocesan catholic schools.  The day is to be used for the preparation of remote learning should the case eventuate in the future.  Please make care arrangements for your child/ren for this day where required.

News Just In From the Bishop

• From midnight 20 March all regular public masses are suspended until 1 May 2020.  This includes all Holy Week and Easter Ceremonies. 
• All Funerals, Weddings and Baptisms must have less than 100 people if held indoors. 
• Preparations for the celebration of 1^st Eucharist and Confirmation are suspended.   
• Sacrament of Penance is limited to the first rite (individual reconciliation)

Event Update

The government has placed restrictions on the gather of groups to 100 people for indoors and 500 people for outdoors.  This is for non-essentials, thus schools are outside of this recommendation.  However, within schools we have made adjustments to ensure we minimise the risk for our students and community.  This includes:

• Staggered lunch and playtimes to reduce concentration of students.  This started today and has been a great success
• Changes to tuckshop ordering and collection to encourage greater social distancing.  This also started today and was excellent.  Please note for Early Years students that they now have the tuckshop all for themselves during Recess!
• Prep – Year 6 Cross Country will still run as an event for students, though parents and community members will not be able to attend. 
• Increased hygiene facilities all around the College with many new hand sanitisers, hand soap dispensers and paper towel – the air driers may look effective on the wall, though the reality is that kids just don’t use them and then wipe their hands on their clothes anyway.

You will also have noticed that I am publishing frequent updates on SZApp, email and Facebook which we will continue into the future.  In the newsletter I will endeavour to not repeat or summarise the same information, so please ensure you have a quick read of each update as they come to keep up-to-date. This is a deliberate attempt to slowly feed the information out rather than sending exhaustive communication on a weekly basis.

Most importantly, please be vigilant with personal hygiene, look after those around you, and if your child is sick, keep them home. 

Have a great week

Peter Cuskelly

Principal