PRINCIPAL: Mrs Leesa Daly
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL: Mr Christopher Payne
Circumstances have changed dramatically for us all over the past fortnight, however this was not entirely unexpected.
I would like to thank the whole school community for their ongoing support and for rising to the challenges which have included keeping our students at home and safe. There is a glimmer of hope, that in the event that stay at home rules are lifted in regional NSW before the end of term 3, then our students and staff will be able to return to fulltime face to face lessons in week 10 (Monday 13th September) on Level 3 COVID Safe School Operations. We have two big weeks of continued remote learning from home, whilst maintaining reduced movement and close contact with friends and family. Let’s continue to do the hard yards and hopefully we will be rewarded for our efforts in the very near future.
Most students have embraced learning from home since Monday 16th August (Week 6). We have been strategically upskilling students in the use of the online learning, Microsoft Teams and Google Classroom, platforms for a considerable time anticipating this may happen. Students and staff were ready to continue teaching and learning remotely and the overwhelming feedback from students and parents/carers is that this has been a seamless transition this time round. Students are much more at ease and have demonstrated resilience and enhanced independent learning skills. Keep up the good work everyone.
Every teacher will continue to have their designated student work for the week on their classroom learning platform each Monday. All work should be completed and submitted by no later than Friday. Teaching staff are providing individual feedback to all students on the work that is submitted.
I would like to commend our Year 12 students who are showing shear grit and determination as they continue to deal with the ever-changing details of their HSC. We now know that HSC exams will start, in a Covid safe manner, on the 9th November with a revised timetable to be released early September. Results will be released in mid-January.
We encourage all parents and carers to use the passkey, that was emailed to you all a couple of weeks ago, so you can access the new Sentral Parent Portal. This platform enables you to see student notices, your students timetable and any absences that may need addressing. It will also be a key method for the school to communicate important and timely information to you.
It was awesome to catch up with students last week as Year Advisors led remote cohort gatherings on Microsoft Teams. Wellbeing activities, games, fun and laughter made up these sessions. Technology is truly amazing. Congratulations to the Year Advisors for developing and hosting engaging and timely year group gatherings. We will do these again in week 9.
It was a shame that we had to postpone our two parent/carer sessions we had planned for weeks 6 and 8. We will look to reschedule both the Tips and Tricks to using Microsoft Teams/Google Classroom + Introduction to the new Parent Portal as well as the Wellways QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper training.
All students eligible for a vaccine are strongly encouraged to book appointments as soon as they can. All parents and carers who have not been vaccinated are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Vaccinations for all school-based staff, across all sectors, will be mandatory from the 8th November. Vaccination is a key tool to keeping all members of our school and the wider community safe and will allow schools to be fully operational.
Keep up the good work everyone. Stay positive and look for the little things that bring you joy. Stay safe and continue to be kind to one another.
With Kind Regards
Mrs Daly
