Welcome to the seventh edition of CCSP's Parent Talk for 2021. I hope that the advice contained in this newsletter helps make your role as a parent just that little bit easier.

I am writing this email from my office in the Polding Centre. It is a strange experience to be back in the city. It is not very busy and, sadly, there are businesses that will not reopen - yet another cost of the global pandemic caused by the insidious COVID-19 virus. 

My spirits were lifted when I walked onto the balcony and saw an artist carefully working on the lifesize figures of the Holy Family in preparation for the season of Advent. 

The last five weeks have seen many changes across NSW: vaccination rates increasing, restrictions easing, the majority of schools returning to face-to-face learning, a new Premier and Deputy Premier, and, a return to attending Mass in person. 

Kindergarten, Year One and Year Twelve students have returned to face-to-face learning and over the next week the remainder of year groups will return to school grounds. The return to school-based learning may cause some stress and anxiety for students and their carers. In this newsletter, we have included some tips to help families through this transition, including a link to an initiative specifically designed to assist parents and carers of children with autism. Unfortunately, it is still not clear just when parents and carers will be able to return to school sites.

On behalf of the parents and carers of children and young people in our Catholic schools, I would like to thank all our wonderful school principals and teachers for providing students with continuity of learning over the last few months while also continuing to prioritise the health, safety and wellbeing of students and their families. I would also like to acknowledge the significant role played the system leaders and Catholic Schools NSW who have so capably steered the NSW Catholic school sector through these trying times.

Later this month, Australia celebrates World Teachers’ Day, we encourage the parents and carers of all Catholic school communities to express their appreciation to our wonderful teachers and the efforts they’ve gone to in caring for our children.

We have included some information from the NSW Department of Health on vaccinations. This is followed by an article on the topic of free speech, which has again emerged as people have expressed their disparate views on vaccinations and the related rights and responsibilities. We hope the material here will help your family to have a conversation on freedom of speech and what it means.

NESA is regularly updating the advice for HSC students. For more information from NESA visit educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/covid-19-advice. Teachers, students and parents can also contact the NESA COVID-19 support team on 1300 138 323 or covid19support@nesa.nsw.edu.au.

The First General Assembly of the Plenary Council was held in early October. Included here is a brief overview of the proceedings as well as a link to some information on the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops and details of the NATSICC Virtual Retreat coming up in November. As the voluntary Assisted Dying Bill goes before the NSW Parliament, we provide some advice from the Australian Catholic Bishops and encourage you to inform yourself about this issue and to do what you can to uphold and defend the sanctity of human life.

Submissions to the 2021 Roger O’Sullivan Memorial Award close on 20 October 2021. Thank you to the school communities who have submitted entries. All entrants will be contacted during November. 

Once again, thank you to all members of Catholic school communities who have cared for our children over the last few weeks and months. I would also like to thank the health professionals who have cared for the sick and have helped NSW and the ACT achieve the current high rates of vaccination. 

Please take care and keep well.

Kind regards

Peter Grace

Executive Director