Welcome to Catholic Education Tasmania

In support of the Premier’s announcement earlier this morning, wherever possible parents of Catholic school and college students are asked to keep their students at home from Monday 30 March 2020.

Tasmanian Catholic schools and colleges will be open next week for essential workers, and for those parents who are not able to support or supervise learning at home.

Please find following a statement from Dr Gerard Gaskin, Executive Director, Catholic Education Tasmania:

Catholic schools and colleges in Tasmania will implement four additional student free days in the lead up to the scheduled Easter break. This will enable essential professional learning and planning time for school teachers and support staff in Tasmanian Catholic schools and colleges to focus on home learning opportunities for students.

“The expert health advice is clear that school sites remain safe for students and staff to attend, however it is important that we are well prepared to support children to learn at home, should sites need to close in the future, “ said Dr Gerard Gaskin, Executive Director of Catholic Education in Tasmania.

“From today, parents and carers may choose that their children are supported to learn at home, due to COVID 19. From the 6th-9th of April school staff will have the time they need to develop their skills and capabilities to effectively support this learning over the longer term. This includes becoming familiar with the learning at home materials and delivery methods, and preparing take home materials for students.”

Dr Gaskin said the education, health and wellbeing of Catholic Education Tasmania children and young people is vital.

“We know the important role that schools play in supporting the intellectual, social, spiritual and emotional wellbeing of our young people and our communities.

“It is important that we continue to offer learning on school sites for as long as the health advice is that they are safe to stay open. While attendance figures are declining, our schools will continue to be open next week for students who are unable to learn at home.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank teachers, staff and leaders for their commitment to providing ongoing learning opportunities for all students in these unprecedented and extreme times.

“Schools are the heart of our communities and greatly valued, and the safety of students and school staff remains a top priority, Dr Gaskin said.

Schedule for Catholic Education Tasmania Schools & Colleges:

25/03 – 3/04
Learning will be delivered predominantly on school sites, parents may choose to keep their child at home should they wish and, so far as is practicable, learning at home opportunities will be provided.

Parents and carers who cannot support their child’s learning at home, may continue to send their children to their school.

06/04 – 09/04 (Holy Week)
School holidays commence for students (additional student free days prior to Easter)

School based staff plan and prepare for learning at home in Term 2, predominantly on school sites but some at home using online platforms.

27/4
At this stage it is planned that school sites will open at the commencement of Term 2.

“Let us follow the lead of His Grace, Archbishop Julian Porteous, as he calls us to reunite with our families and find new ways of observing the Sunday Sabbath, a much-needed time of rest and tranquillity in our busy week-day lives.

“Please join us in prayer each day for those people worldwide and among us who are suffering as a result of the pandemic. Let us turn in faith to Jesus Christ our Saviour in time of need," Dr Gaskin said.

CET Executive Director, Dr Gerard Gaskin, wishes to express his thanks to all in our community of schools for their continued support. A letter from Dr Gaskin to families providing an update on our response to COVID-19 is now available: https://catholic.tas.edu.au/covid-19

24 March 2020