Principal's Report
Welcome Back
We welcome Years 8, 9 and 10 back to onsite learning on Monday and hope that they are all looking forward to returning to their schooling in person, albeit with important COVID Safe protocols that will need to continue to observe so that we can operate safely. Much of what students are reporting to have missed during our period of online learning is the interpersonal connections that they value with both their peers and their teachers and we know that they will be excited to see their friends again. A program to welcome the students back and outline our COVID Safe expectations will take place during an extended Homeroom on Monday.
Years 7,11 and 12 have made a very positive return to school over the last two weeks and seem to have quickly found their way back into a productive routine.
COVID Safe Protocols
The key messages that will continue to be emphasised are:
- Stay home if unwell.
- Get tested immediately if any of the following symptoms appear: fever above 37.5 degrees Celsius, night sweats, chills, acute respiratory infection (such as cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), loss of smell, and/or loss of taste.
- Maintain good hand and cough hygiene.
- Do not share food or drink and use a water bottle (drink fountains are not allowed to be used).
- Do not share other utensils.
- Maintain social distancing as much as possible.
- Wear a fitted mask at all times.
- Minimise time at lockers by carrying essentials in a small bag during the day.
- Parents/guardians must remain in cars during drop-off and pick-up times. Only adults who have an essential role will be permitted to enter College premises.
Student Attendance
All students are expected to attend onsite once their year level has returned to onsite learning. Exceptions may exist for medically vulnerable students. It is recommended that parents/carers of students with complex medical needs seek advice from the student’s medical practitioner to support decision-making about whether onsite education is suitable and work with the relevant level leaders at the College in regards to a plan. As all students will have returned to onsite learning, the current online remote learning program (Continuing Learning Plan) will cease.
Year 12 Students
The formal teaching program concludes for Year 12 students on Thursday and, with input from the student leaders, we are planning a Celebration Day to acknowledge the completion of their secondary schooling. It will be different to previous years given the restrictions that we face around assemblies, singing and sharing of food, but we hope that the students will have a memorable day of rejoicing with their peers as the graduating Class of 2020. We are planning on conducting a “graduation reunion” at a date in 2021 that is yet to be confirmed.
The VCE English exam on Tuesday 10th November marks the start of the examination period for most students, although there will be some who have already undertaken exams in performance and language subjects over recent days. We wish all students sitting exams our best wishes.
Student Free Day - Monday, November 2nd
Advance notice that our calendar reserves the Monday before Melbourne Cup Day as a student free day to allow an opportunity for “catch-up” for our teachers. Thank you for your amazing support of their endeavours this year to provide quality tuition in a blended learning environment.
End of Year Arrangements Years 7-10
The final day of classes for students in Year 7-10 is Friday, December 4. Reports will be prepared the following week and distributed on Friday, December 11. Our Celebration of Excellence that was scheduled to occur on Monday, December 7 will be postponed until the first assembly in 2021 when we hope we may be able to gather in larger numbers again.
Darren Atkinson
Principal