A very warm welcome to 2022 from CCSP!

When the gates opened at the beginning of the school year it was great to see the smiling faces of children returning to school, even the teenage ones had smiles too!

Those smiles were replicated by parents, carers and teachers, although there were a few tears shed by the parents and carers of children transitioning from preschool to kindy and primary to secondary school. As we hit the halfway mark of the term, we are back into the school term routine and the summer holidays seem like a distant memory.

Once again, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the start of the school year, although many had fears of widespread virus transmission, school closures and a return to home-based-learning, thankfully so far this has not transpired in the Catholic sector. The amazing work of our principals, teachers, children and of course all of you, parents and carers, is keeping the infection rates below the forecast COVID-19 case numbers.

The provision of free Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) and vaccinations for children aged over five gives parents and carers a level of security they did not have in 2020 and 2021.

The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT (CCSP) thanks the Government for providing these tests for free to all families as many may not have been able to afford the cost of the Rapid Antigen Tests.

The wellbeing of many families has been adversely affected over the past two years. CCSP is supporting a survey being conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission about the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on children and families. CCSP is encouraging parents and carers to provide their voice to this survey as the results will help government form policy.

Communication from your child’s school principal is the best way to keep up to date with the school’s COVID-19 safe protocols and guidelines. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to call the school. Your children's schools are doing everything they can to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your children, their teachers and the wider school community.

CCSP urges everyone to be patient and vigilant as we move through this phase of the pandemic. If anyone in the family has symptoms, use one of the free RAT to keep you, your family, and school communities safe as possible.

We encourage as many of our families to get vaccinated if it is possible.

On behalf of all Catholic Learning Communities across NSW and the ACT, CCSP wants to thank all people who are part of the NSW and ACT Catholic education sector for their care and support for students and their families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. CCSP extends its deep admiration and appreciation for your impressive agility, resilience, and compassion throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Whilst navigating complex issues arising from the pandemic the Catholic Education leadership from Catholic Schools NSW, (CSNSW) Diocesan Directors, Principals, School Leadership teams, our amazing teachers and Education Officers have demonstrated a deep level of care for students and their families. Thank you for your ongoing care and compassion for students and their families.

In late January CCSP Executive Director, Peter Grace, commenced his new position as Assistant Principal -Evangelisation and Catechesis of St Leo’s Catholic College, Wahroonga. We thank Peter for facilitating the CCSP's continued support and advocacy for parents and carers across NSW and the ACT. We all wish Peter all the best in his new role.

CCSP is in the process of recruiting a new Executive Director, in the interim period, please direct any enquiries you may have about CCSP to me.

This week is the commencement of Lent, an opportunity for time of personal reflection, repentance, and renewal in preparation for the solemn celebrations of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. I hope you will be able to be involved with any events organised by your children’s school community.  

God Bless

Wayne Davie

Chair, CCSP