The Hon Jeremy Rockliff, State Minister for Education, has determined that, as a consequence of the COVID-19 virus, overseas travel for DoE school groups travelling prior to 30 June 2020 will need to be postponed, except for travel to USA, Canada and New Zealand (provided that this travel does not go through Asia).  Trips planned for after 30 June 2020 for all destinations except for China and South Korea can continue to be progressed; however, these may be subject to further postponement and/or cancellation at any stage. This will depend on advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Government Department of Health.  After due consideration it has been agreed that Catholic Education Tasmania will issue the same advice to all Tasmanian Catholic Schools.  As a consequence, I have been in contact with World Challenge in relation to the planned trip to Borneo.  I will write a letter to those parents directly affected as soon as possible, and before the end of this week with the latest information.

I can share that the College is taking the same level of due diligence to two other overseas trips planned for later in the year.  This includes the Netball and Cultural trip to New Zealand planned in October, and the French Cultural and Language Immersion trip planned for late September.  Again, I will provide a letter to parents who are directly involved with the most up-to-date information that I can access as soon as possible, and before the end of this week.

The planned ski trip to Mt Hotham in Victoria in July is, at this stage, planning to proceed, however, I am seeking additional information at the time of writing this.

Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and abstinence leading up to Easter. (NB, Sundays during Lent do not ‘count’ toward the 40 days.)  Lent is associated with ‘giving up’.  A Josephite sister I knew many years ago gave this a ‘twist’.  She suggested that people would be better served ‘giving up’ judgement, resentment and negativity.  This is entirely consistent with our vision to be a Catholic community with a generosity of spirit.

As an educator, I distil the role of a school to serve two fundamental purposes.  One is the ‘passport’ to the next step in a journey of learning, be it a trade, paid work, or academic tertiary studies, together with certain ‘employability skills’.  This ‘passport’ has limited currency, however, and is superseded once the next qualification is achieved. The second purpose incorporates ‘employability skills’ but is, I believe, more broadly about equipping students with the social and civic skills to offer them the opportunity to thrive … ‘to have life and have it to the full’ (Jn 10:10).

Take care and I will keep you in my prayers.

Frank Pisano

This month on SchoolTV - Happiness & Gratitude 

Happiness is a term that captures a huge variety of positive emotions such as humour, serenity, optimism, joy, pride, inspiration, love and hope. Happiness means different things, to different people and is essential to your understanding of emotional literacy. Throughout history, philosophers, religious writers and poets have pondered on the meaning of happiness and how it might be achieved. In the last few decades, scientists and psychologists have researched this further by studying a field of science called positive psychology.

The result of this research suggests there is a strong correlation between gratitude and greater happiness. Practising gratitude helps you shift your focus to positive memories or experiences, noticing the good in your life. Over time, this will re-wire your brain to create new neural pathways, increasing your state of happiness and overall wellbeing.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents and care-givers will learn how to achieve happiness and the benefits of practising gratitude. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to this month's edition https://sbsc.tas.schooltv.me/n...

Open Information Night for students starting in 2021 will be held on Wednesday 265h March at 6:30pm in Westcourt.  All current and prospective families are most welcome.

A reminder that this weekend will be an extra long weekend, with Monday 9th March a Public Holiday (Eight Hours Day) and Tuesday 10th March a Student Free Day (Teacher Moderation).

We hope you enjoy the extra rest!

Online Canteen Orders are coming in Term 2!

Using the Mastercard Qkr! mobile app (or Qkr online website), parents will be able to order and pay for their children's lunch orders in advance, any time, until 9:00am on the day the lunch is required.  

Don't worry - we'll be providing more information about these changes in the next few weeks :)

Be SunSmart when UV Index Levels are 3 and above. Students can check the Morning Notices, or Information screens around the College to monitor times when sun protection is required and SLOP on some sunscreen SLAP on a hat SEEK shade SLIDE on some sunglasses. 

For smartphone users, we encourage the use of the free SunSmart app as a great way to check the UV Alert when you are out and about on the weekends. iPhone users can download it at the iTunes App Store, Android users at Google Play and Samsung users at Samsung Apps. For information on the College SunSmart policy, click here.

Steve Powell
Health, Safety and Culture Officer

What will you give up this Lent ?

This Lenten leave your comfort zone to create a brighter future for the most marginalised.

It’s not too late to give it up and start creating change 👇🏻👇🏼👇🏾

https://lent.caritas.org.au/page/give-it-up

Please note the trading hours for the Midford Uniform Shop for the upcoming Term 1 Holidays.