Today’s announcement by the Queensland Government confirming all students can return to learning at school on Monday, May 25 is a welcome one within the LORDS community.

“Our students and staff both teaching and non-teaching, have been amazing in the way in which they have risen to the challenge of Learning@Home during this time,” said principal Jodie Hoff.

“Our families have been so supportive and we are all blessed to be part of this vibrant community.

“However, we have certainly missed having our students on campus and are looking forward to resuming regular school life on May 25.”

While classes and face to face teaching resume, there are still a number of events and excursions which have required cancellation or postponement due to ongoing social distancing restrictions.

“As restrictions are gradually lifted, we will begin to plan for community and school events,” said Ms Hoff.

“Yet even in these times, the growth mindset of our community has been evident with many innovative ideas for community and student/staff engagement emerging.”

One such idea was FOLS online trivia last weekend which saw more than 1100 views of our Facebook feed featuring Hot Tomato’s Moyra Major and Ms Hoff deliver a great night ‘in’ for our community. This was a great night with some wonderful prizes. A special thanks to our families who dressed in the Disney theme and sent in their photos for our Facebook page.

“We are looking forward to the day when we can gather as community and celebrate together,” said Ms Hoff. “Until that time, we will continue to find ways to connect and support our students, families and staff.”

We Are The LORDSRomans 14:8

Term 2 2020 | Issue # 7

If not you, then who?

Back to School!

Uniform Shop HoursThe Uniform Shop will be open on Wednesdays from 1.15pm to 3.45pm until further notice.

Pre-ordered Senior School blazers have arrived and are available fro final payment and collection from Wednesday, May 20 from the Campus Uniform Shop.

LORDS would like to acknowledge the receipt of $17,536 from the Australian Government through the Local Schools Community Fund. This funding was allocated towards the purchase of 32 laptops in the Junior School to aid student education. We thank the Australian Government for their support.

Acknowledgment of Funding

Class Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

Prep A Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports

Prep B Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports

1A Sports Sports

1B Sports Sports

2A Sports Sports

2B Sports Sports

3A Sports Sports

3B Sports Sports

4A Sports Sports

4B Sports Sports

5A Sports Sports

5B Sports Sports

6A Sports Sports

6B Sports Sports

Junior School Sports Days

Uniform RemindersAs our students return to normal school life a few quick reminders re the school uniform expectations.

HAIRSTYLES:• Must be neat, combed, clean and tidy and of natural

toning.• Hair colouring and extreme or attention seeking

hairstyles are not permitted.• Blade 3 is the minimum accepted for boys and

maximum no longer than collar length.• Fringes must be above the eyebrows and must not

obscure the student’s vision or cover the student’s face.• Excessive hair spray, gel or other styling products is not

permitted.• Girls’ hair that reaches the collar must be tied up. Hair

accessories can be purchased from the uniform shop and are permitted only in midnight, burgundy and gold.

HATS: • Will be worn by all students when outside the classroom• Formal schools hats to be worn to and from school and

on excursions. • Students are encouraged to bring sunscreen to be

applied during recess, lunch, sports and physical education classes.

• LORDS aspires to be a SUN SMART school as a matter of student’s health and well-being.

SHOES:• Black leather lace up shoes with the formal uniform

(black joggers are not appropriate). Shoes are to be polished and well maintained.

• Sport shoes should be black, lace ups (converse and Dunlop vollies are not appropriate)

JEWELLERY: • A watch is allowed.• One plain sleeper or stud in each lower ear lobe for girls

only is allowed.• No other form of body piercing is permitted for girls.• Boys are not permitted to have any form of body

piercing.• A small cross or other Christian symbol on a fine chain is

permitted to be worn around the neck inside clothing.• No other jewellery is acceptable.• Medical bracelets or necklaces are exempt from this

policy.

NAIL POLISH & MAKE UP: • Should not be worn to school

SHAVING: • Boys’ faces are to be clean shaven. No excessive side

burns are permitted.

We are the LORDS | Issue #7

We are the LORDS | Issue #7

Coronavirus (COVID–19)

Pay extra attention to your child’s emotions and needs

As your child returns to school, they may feel a range of emotions, including excitement, relief, or worry. You may notice changes in your child’s behaviour, sleep, mood, interactions with others, or eating habits – these are all normal expressions of worry and by noticing and responding with care and support, you will help your child to feel better.

As parents, it is important to be able to:

• recognise signs of increased anxiety, stress or worry.• know that it is a normal reaction.• help children feel safe and supported.

Be aware of your own behaviour

It is important to understand the effect your own behaviour can have on your child. If you react in a way that suggests you are worried about your child going back to school, your child may worry too! Try to remain calm and positive when talking to your child about going back to school.

Reassure your child it is safe to go to school

During the learning at home period, your family, along with staff at your child’s school, have helped your child understand that staying away from school was necessary to keep them healthy and safe. Your child may now feel worried about whether it is safe for them to go back to school.

To help your child feel safe and less worried about going back to school, have clear and calm conversations and tell them the facts, including that:

Prepare for changes to school processes

Changes to your school’s normal processes may be necessary to ensure physical distancing requirements for adults can be met. So that you and your child can prepare, your child’s school will communicate with you about changes to their processes.

Changes to your school’s normal drop off procedures may mean that you are unable to walk with your child to their classroom. Schools understand that this may be unsettling for you and your child, particularly if your child is anxious about leaving you. Be assured that your child’s school will have adequate staff on hand to ensure students are safe at all times, including getting from the school gate to their classroom.

If you have any questions or concerns about the new arrangements, you are encouraged to contact your principal.

Primary students' return to school: Advice for parents and carersThis fact sheet contains tips for parents and carers to support their child’s wellbeing and mental health as they transition back and re-adjust to attending primary school in Term 2.

• The decision for students to return to school has been made based on health advice.

• Everyone at school is going to make sure they are keeping safe, and there is plenty of soap at school so that everyone can wash their hands many times a day.

• They will be allowed to sit next to their friends in the classroom and during group activities, as children like them usually do not get sick from COVID-19.

• The Government is keeping an eye on COVID-19 – if it starts to spread again, decisions about what we need to do to keep everyone safe will be made quickly.

• If anyone at their school feels sick, they will stay away from school until they feel better.

We are the LORDS | Issue #1

Coronavirus (COVID–19)

Establish a back-to-school routine

Preparing for school and getting into a routine with your child will help make the transition back to school a positive experience.

Prepare to return to school

• Get back into the routine of waking up, having breakfast and going to bed at regular times.

• Discuss any issues or fears your child might have about going back to school.

• Talk to your child about what they like about school and what they have been missing.

• Talk through the routine of what it’s like being at school.

o For example, “when I get to school I go and see {teacher’s name}; and then we hang our bags on our hooks; we say hi to our friends; we find our seat...etcetera”.

o Discuss what may be different now (for example, getting to their classroom in the morning).

Before the school day

Available supportsIf you feel that your child needs extra support as they transition back to school, get in touch with your school to find out how to contact your Guidance Officer or other support staff.

Support is also available for children through Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or by visiting the Kids Helpline website.

If you or your family are facing hardship during the Coronavirus pandemic, the department has published information about how to access support on the learning@home webpage.

• Involve your child in:

o laying out their uniform so it is ready for the morning.

o packing their bag – you might make a game out of this with younger children. A visual checklist can help your child remember what they need to take.

o planning and packing their lunches and snacks.

• Try to have calm evenings and allow extra time to settle before bedtime if your child is feeling nervous.

• Allow extra time to get ready for school in the morning so that you are not rushing.

After school

• Talk to your child about their day, including whatthey enjoyed, what may have worried them, andwhat they found difficult.

• Include some family time. Children may miss beingat home with you during the day so it is important forthem to feel close and connected with the family.

Tips to maintain a healthy headspace

While school may be back on Monday, May 25, social isolation and restrictions still apply in many areas. This can still give concern and anxiety. Headspace.org.au offers these suggestions or go to their website for more resources on coping at this time.

• Be mindful of exposure to information through stories, traditional and social media.

• It can be helpful to take a break from the 24-hour news cycle

• Do things that make you feel safe and connected, and be with those who are helpful to your wellbeing

• Engage in activities that promote a sense of calm and feeling grounded

• It can help to talk with a trusted adult if it all feels a bit much.