17 Sep 2021
Dear parent, carers and students,
The end of Term 3 has been a busy one for our school and others throughout the state. We’re happy to say that together we made it through what has been a constantly changing and sometimes difficult term. We could not have done it without the commitment from all of our families who supported learning from home, and from our fantastic teaching and school staff. I want to thank you all for your efforts to continue to keep our school community safe – I know everyone has faced different challenges at different times through the term.
Order of return under staggered approach where we remain under stay-at-home rules
Students will return to face-to-face learning with NSW Health approved COVID settings on school sites in the following order:
From 25 October 2021: Senior students only. The plan for this return is available on Google Classroom for all senior students.
From 8 November 2021: Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. We will provide much more information around this return early next term, as this date also coincides with the commencement of our new academic year.
The return to school roadmap is subject to change depending on new information expected through the Public Health Order and additional advice from NSW Health. You can stay up to date with the most recent advice on our Advice for families page.
HSC
Congratulations to our senior students! You’ve nearly made it to the end of a unique and very tough year. Your resilience and work ethic through this time are to be admired.
The official last day for seniors is this Friday 17 September 2021, however students will be supported up until their exams.
HSC exams will proceed for all students from 9 November 2021 in a COVID-safe way, in line with NSW Health advice.
There are many questions relating to SY2 graduation and formals that I cannot give clear advice about. Planning has begun for a graduation event after the completion of the HSC examinations – but I will have much more to share with you at the beginning of next term.
Vaccinations for students aged 12 years and over
Young people aged 12 years and over are now also eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. You can book in your children for Pfizer now, or Moderna from Monday 20 September. Vaccination appointments are available at more than 3,000 locations across NSW, including GPs and pharmacies. More appointments will become available as supply increases, so keep checking for new appointments in coming weeks.
School Development Day (Tuesday 5th October 2021)
Our SDD day will be held on the first day back of term 4. Please remember that staff will be engaged in training on this day and will be not available on their online learning platforms. This day has been moved from November 9, as it would have coincided with the return to face-to-face instruction for our junior students. There will no on-site student supervision of students on this day.
Thank you again for your understanding and support. We hope you and your family enjoy a safe and very well-deserved break over the holidays. Please take some time over the break to check out our wellbeing resources for students and families. You’ll find useful tools for mental health and term 4 preparation. Please do not hesitate to reach out if we can do anything to help you and your children to prepare for term 4 or if you have any concerns about the return to school. I will be in touch again soon with further information and any updates for you and your children.
Kind Regards,
Mr Stuart Harvie
Principal (Rel.)