Delany College - Granville

Dear Parents and Caregivers

As we head towards the final few weeks of the school year the events of last week served as a timely reminder of the importance of the COVID Safe protocols we have in place. I thank all involved for their quick response and support given as we responded to a positive case in our Year 11 cohort. Year 11 students have been in remote learning mode this week and we look forward to them returning to face to face lessons next Monday subject to receiving negative test results.

Reflecting on the case from last week it is clear that the little things, done correctly, make a big difference to the outcomes and minimise the risk and impact on other students. These include:

All affected areas thoroughly cleaned, sanitising carried out using the guidelines issued by the Australian Government Heath Department & World Health Organisation. Proper disinfection was completed on Thursday 11 November 2021.

• Keeping your child at home if they or a  family member has symptoms and getting a COVID test as soon as possible;

• Advising your child’s House Coordinator if you have any concerns in relation to your child being in contact with someone that has tested positive for COVID;

• Maintaining protocols such as wearing masks indoors and social distancing; 

• Not sharing devices or other items of equipment; and 

• Minimising comingling of students between stages;

As a result of these precautions being in place and followed we were able to continue to operate classes for all the other year levels and there was no disruption to HSC exams taking place at the college. Thank you. 

In terms of learning it has been pleasing to see students back in class, interacting with one another and their teachers, in such a positive way. We have endeavoured to organise the day to provide a supportive environment for students transitioning to full time learning at school after such a long time learning at home. While on the surface this transition sounds simple, for some students, the transition back to full time face to face classes is very challenging.  It is important that we work together to support all them while at the same time setting high expectations for their engagement in learning. Good habits and routines need to be in place and of course students should be at school every day they can be. One lesson we have learned from COVID is that we need to get things done today as we don’t know what obstacles tomorrow will bring. 

Our staff have been very busy at work making sure Delany students have the best possible learning experiences and facilities available. Remember to keep our Year 12 students in your prayers and those families in our community that have been adversely affected during this global pandemic. 

God bless

Mr Paul Easton 

Principal 

STUDENTS

The following requirements apply to students:

Sign In and QR Codes: Students are required to sign in and out each day using the college attendance system. Staff will maintain attendance rolls. Students are not required to sign in using QR Codes provided.  If contact tracing is required due to a positive case of COVID-19 the Compass system will be used as a means of identifying contacts.

Safety, Health and Hygiene

• Masks - students are required* to wear masks indoors.

• Social distancing - physical distancing must be maintained at all times.

• Sanitising hands and workspace - students will be required to sanitise their hands when entering a workspace and wipe down their workspace when finished. Yellow bins are provided for disposal of the sanitised wipes that will be provided.

• No sharing of devices - students are not to use mobile phones during school hours and cannot share computer devices, calculators or other equipment.

• Food and drink - students are not permitted to share food or drink. Students should bring their own water bottles. Bubblers will not be operational until further notice.

*Students are required to wear a mask indoors but exemptions apply. Exemptions include a medical condition.  A medical certificate from a doctor must be carried by the person with the exemption. Students are required to include a copy of the certificate with them. If they do not have a copy and do not wear a mask they will be required to leave the college site.

Feeling Unwell and absence from school

Students are expected to attend school from their designated return to school date unless they are unwell or have even mild symptoms of COVID-19. Any person with any COVID-19 symptoms must be sent home in line with the public health orders and not return to school unless:

• they have isolated for 10 days, when no medical certificate is available

• they have a negative COVID-19 test result and are symptom free.

Parents/Carers need to contact the office in accordance with the normal absence procedure if your child is unable to attend face to face learning.

Positive COVID- 19 Cases

In the case of testing positive to COVID-19 or becoming a close contact please contact the college office or your child’s House Coordinator immediately.

This will trigger our COVID Response Procedure.

Any person that has tested positive for COVID 19 is required to have a COVID Clearance form from NSW Health before returning to school. If this applies, please submit this form to the college office prior to your child returning to the college for face to face learning.

VISITORS

Visitors, including parents of students, are not allowed on campus unless an exemption applies. Where a visitor is considered ‘essential’ to the delivery of educational programs or the operation of the college, please advise the Principal or Assistant Principal who may give permission for them to be on site. 

All visitors are required to report to the office reception and sign in using the QR Code prior to moving to another location on the campus.

St. Thomas Aquinas: Prayer Before Study

Creator of all things, true Source of light and wisdom, lofty origin of all being, graciously let a ray of Your brilliance penetrate into the darkness of my understanding and take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of both sin and ignorance. Give me a sharp sense of understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally. Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations, and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm. Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in completion; through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

- St. Thomas Aquinas

On Wednesday 10 November, a handful of students from Stage 5 had an amazing opportunity to participate in the Catholic Earthcare Youth Summit Program, along with other Catholic schools in NSW. Students were able to participate in this program digitally via Zoom. 

Throughout this occasion, we were able to listen to others' opinions which was an amazing way for us to gain more knowledge about how we can become more resourceful and sustainable. We met with very influential students and teachers who spoke to us, gave us opportunities to share ideas, and complete activities. If I had to choose an activity that was my favourite I would say befriending a tree was the most enjoyable. 

Personally, I was heavily inspired by Mount St Benedict College, (The Bennies Girls). This school was astounding. Their sustainability plan and process was breath taking and I believe they are working really hard to influence the greater good of their school and community. 

Through this program we were able to gain insightful knowledge and develop influential skills that will benefit all of the College and its neighbouring communities. Overall this was a great learning experience. It enlightened us to see how much of nature we really do take for granted. On behalf of  Delany College, I would like to express my gratitude and show my appreciation to the organisers of the Catholic EarthCare Youth Summit Program for such a wonderful and academic experience.              

 Keziah Gyan, Year 9.

The following is a short poem to help bring attention to our climate issues:

Everyday our earth gets warmer, soon it will be like one big sauna.

 Ice caps are melting and sea levels are beginning to rise, so why won’t people grow up and learn to be wise.

Atmospheric gases are building up quickly, all because we pollute so thickly. 

We make money by burning fossil fuels and oil, but it's our world we are going to spoil. 

So let us rise together, and rejuvenate our soil, before it is too late and we begin to boil.

Vanesha Koroma, Year 9.

The NSW Government each year offers a number of scholarships to students enrolled in Year’s 10,11 and 12 for the following school year. The scholarships are available to students who live in various forms of Government subsidized housing. Such as:

 • living in social housing (which includes public, community or Aboriginal housing),

• are on the NSW Housing Register,

• receiving Private Rental Assistance from DCJ including Rent Choice products),

• living in supported accommodation,

• living in out-of-home care, or

• temporarily staying with friends or relatives.

The scholarship is for $1000 and is available to be used for educational needs and the development of student resources and activities.

For more information you can visit their website at  www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/scholarships.

Applications end in February 2022 and successful applicants receive scholarship payment in April 2022. The application link to register can be found in the above link.

If you would like some assistance to complete this application please contact Mr Greg McGregor our Family Liaison Officer at Delany College or you can email him on gmcgregor1@parra.catholic.edu.au

Dear Parents/Guardians

For all parents & Caregivers wanting to pay their fees for this year please note that cut off date for receipting is Wednesday 8 December.

School Fees were issued and are due by 18 November 2021.

We are aware of the financial strain that COVID-19 is having on some families and its impact on their capacity to pay school fees. Families experiencing hardship are encouraged to seek support by contacting the school.

If you have any queries regarding your account or your payment arrangements, please contact Christine on 02 8633 8107 or deln-grvlfees@parra.catholic.edu.au.

If you are already on a payment arrangement or are awaiting the outcome of a concession application, then this statement is for information purposes only.

The Library moved locations at the start of this term into a lovely open area! Books are back on shelves, although some will be moved again in the next few weeks when three new mobile shelves arrive, giving us much needed additional space for the fiction collection. We are also expecting new furniture for the Library work station area. It has been a busy time and continues to be a work in progress.

It is so good to have our students back on site and able to access physical books again! At this point they have access to the Library at lunchtimes as follows:

Year 11: each day, except Thursday, 12:25 - 1:15pm in a designated area (borrowing available for the first 10 minutes) 

Years 7 & 8: Monday and Wednesday 12:35 - 1:15pm 

Years 9 & 10: Tuesday and Friday 12:35 - 1:15pm

On 1 November the Executive Director’s Summer Reading Challenge opened for 2021-2022. This is open to all students. By reading as many books as they can, telling why they love them, they could win one of two $500 JB Hi-Fi vouchers or one of thirty gift vouchers valued at $30 each. Students can read anything they like to enter, whether it’s a comic, play, piece of poetry, a book, e-book or animated novel. The Challenge closes at 5:00pm on 25 February, 2022.

Terms and conditions apply. Click here to see further details and enter.

We encourage our students to have a go!

All the best and keep reading!

Mrs Lynette Perrett

Friday 3 December is International Day of People with Disability and City of Parramatta Council has created a program of events and resources in recognition of and to showcase people with a lived experience of a disability. This day is aimed to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability. 

We invite everyone to join our celebrations. One of our events is an art competition, and we are calling on all artists with a lived experience of disability to unleash their creativity and to provide them an opportunity to express themselves through art. 

The library also offers a large number of resources to help support those with additional needs. For further information regarding our program please check out this page https://parra.city/IDPwD21

Please support this program by sharing this email with your colleagues, friends and network.

Please find attached the Art Competition entry form and promotional poster to share on your social media, eNewsletters and throughout your network.

This program is in association with City of Parramatta Libraries, Riverside Theatres, Parramatta Artists’ Studios and Council's Community Capacity Building Team.

Y10 Meningococcal ACWY Vaccinations will go ahead December 2 2021

Please make sure all consent forms have been signed and return to the front office.

If you require a consent form please ask our front office administration ladies.

Thank you

Delany College

If something happens to your child, we need to be able to contact you.

Please make sure all your details are updated. If you're not sure if we hold your most current details please do not hesitate to contact our Administration Office on 8633 8100.

The College Summer uniform is to be worn during Term 1 and 4 of the school year. 

The College blazer, soft shell jacket and jumper are optional in summer.

The College blazer or soft shell jacket may be worn during summer; boys may wear it with the College tie and girls may wear it over their blouse. 

Girls Summer Uniform:

Skirt - College skirt with green check

Trousers -  College issued grey trousers only

Junior blouse  - College white blouse

Senior blouse  - College blue blouse

College blazer -    Y10-12 - compulsory

                                Y7-9 - optional

Soft shell jacket  - Y7-9 students only

Jumper or cardigan - College blue wool blend V neck jumper or cardigan, 

both are optional. 

Junior Socks -  White short cotton socks. No anklet socks  

Senior Socks - Blue short cotton socks. No anklet socks

Shoes - Standard black leather lace-up school shoes. No 

platform heel or coloured thread is permitted. 

Bag College bag for Years 7-12

Cap College cap - optional

Boys Summer Uniform:

Trousers - College issued grey trousers

Belt - Black belt with an appropriate buckle

Junior shirt  - College short sleeve white shirt

Senior shirt -  College short sleeve blue shirt

Junior tie  - College green tie with crest

Senior tie  - College blue tie with crest

College blazer - Y10-12 - optional

                            Y7-9 - optional

Soft shell jacket  - Y7-9 students only - optional

Jumper College  - blue wool blend V neck jumper, optional. If

worn, it must be under the blazer or soft shell jacket.

Socks - Dark grey or black socks. No anklet socks

Shoes - Standard black leather lace-up school shoes.

No boots or coloured thread is permitted. 

Bag College bag for Years 7-12

Cap College cap - optional

The Uniform Shop is open for trade every Tuesdays between

8.00am - 2.00pm.

You are also able to purchase items online using the link below should you prefer.

www.noone.com.au/school/delany-college/shop