In this Year of Gratitude at St Eugene College, I have stolen this catch phrase from the ABC. In uncertain times such as these, our children and young people (and even ourselves), can have feelings of anxiousness and fear. It is important that we are able to share strategies that not only protect our physical well being (such as hand hygiene and social distancing) but also our mental health:

• Be informed, not alarmed (go to Queensland Health website: http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthCondition/condition/14/217/838/novel-coronavirus or call 13Health

• Recognise the things for which we are thankful (gratitude therapy is considered essential for feeling positive)

• As much as possible, stick to routines (our current context may call for some creativity in establishing alternative routines as extra-curricular activities are being cancelled across the community)

I am incredibly grateful for the work of our staff in maintaining our school and learning routines as well as all the extra processes and preparation they are completing, under difficult circumstances.

Teachers have the capacity and resources to provide learning using multi-modal delivery options. While they continue to deliver high quality face to face learning at the moment, in the background we have key staff preparing conditions, if alternative schooling arrangements are required. Online learning is different, but you will find that the teachers will keep using the same tools students are familiar with such as Teams, OneNote, Education Perfect and e-textbooks. The learning will be outlined for students with scaffolding to help them be a successful learner at home. One of the important success factors will be setting up a routine that suits your family. We will provide some blank timetables for you to use if that helps. Using online environments allows students to access a variety of ways to seek help with their learning if needed. Teachers are adjusting some assessment and assessment due dates to suit alternative arrangements. Assessment will be submittedonline where possible. Please do not underestimate the value of learning contexts that can be created at home, for example cooking a meal or baking a cake; doing the laundry; checking the oil in the car or mower; Sewing; and playing board games.

All of these and so many more activities that happen in the home are opportunities for the development of literacy, numeracy, interpersonal skills such as team work as well as creativity and problem solving. If alternative arrangements are required, you will receive detailed instructions (including technical assistance) to support your children to continue learning at home.