Dear Killara Families,

Effective learning experiences have been taking place across the school. HSC workshops, Year 7 parent information evening, our 53rd Annual Awards Ceremony, Best Start Year 7 assessment, school photos, peer support, Year 10’s big day out, and engaging classroom lessons, all reflect the broad learning experiences at our school. High academic expectations and explicit teaching are key themes within our school’s operations. Explicit teaching is taking place across the school, with teachers establishing clear learning intentions and success criteria, every lesson, resulting in students striving for their personal best. It has been a wonderful start to the school year with the first five weeks proving successful and highly engaging for our students.

Growth mindset

On Thursday 24 February, in my address at the whole school assembly, I shared the importance of maintaining a growth mindset with our students. I emphasised that effective learning takes place when students approach all learning experiences with a growth mindset, as we can all grow and expand our skills, and with effort, we can all achieve our goals. The concept of a growth mindset will be consolidated throughout the school over the coming months.

Killara High School Partnership with University of Technology Sydney

On Monday 28/2/22 we will welcome teacher education students from UTS. These university students are visiting our school for a single day, to learn about the profession of teaching. The purpose of this day is to allow UTS students to experience the learning environment at our wonderful school, to see explicit teaching being applied and to observe how our teachers interact with our students. It is a privilege to be able to positively contribute to the next generation of teachers. The University of Technology Sydney will be involved in other learning experiences throughout the year.

Year 10 Big Day Out

I thank our Stage 5 Head Teacher Ms Bouchier, our Year 10 Deputy Principal Mr Browne, our Year 10 Advisers Mr Currie and Mr Manley, and I express my gratitude to all Killara teachers and families who supported this event. Year 10 had a wonderful day at Stanwell Tops. Students participated in various activities that worked towards strengthening their collaboration and communication skills, whilst also being encouraged to try new experiences such as abseiling. Students took part in a range of activities including the giant swing, high ropes, tree line adventure and vertical cluster. We were determined to provide Year 10 with a rewarding and fun experience, as their camp was cancelled twice. I am very proud of the support that students demonstrated for each other throughout the day. The display of teamwork, maturity and respect was inspirational.

Ava – our school’s wellbeing dog

Welcome to our school, Ava. Ava is currently undertaking her training and she will be under the supervision of Lucy Dahill, our Student Support Officer. Ava is a Bordoodle and she will bring happiness to many children across the school. I thank Lucy for her commitment towards the training regime for Ava. I know that our students are looking forward to meeting our new wellbeing dog. Students were introduced to the rules relating to Ava during our school assembly on Thursday. Ava will have a timetable to support her wellbeing.

COVID rules update

A big thank you for your continuing efforts in supporting our school and students during the pandemic – especially prioritising safety and learning.

The Premier and Minister for Education have announced changes to school settings for the remainder of Term 1. These updated settings were developed in close consultation with NSW Health and key stakeholders to ensure we continue to keep our schools open for learning, while keeping up with changing community settings.

The updated settings include:

We will continue the use of rapid antigen tests (RATs) for twice-weekly testing of students and staff until Friday 25 February.
From Monday 28 February, we will move to symptomatic testing. Tests are to be used at your discretion such as if your child is symptomatic or there are cases in the school. Our school will provide each student and staff member with 8 tests. Details surrounding the distribution process for these tests will be shared soon.
Beyond that, students and staff can access PCR tests or buy their own rapid antigen tests as these are now freely available and accessible in the community.
Masks will continue to be required indoors for all school staff, volunteers and visitors including parents and carers, and students in secondary schools until Friday 25 February. From Monday 28 February, masks will no longer be mandatory for students or staff. However, those who wish to continue to use them will be supported to do so.
From Monday 28 February, visitors can be allowed back on school sites regardless of their vaccination status. Our school will consider activities such as assemblies, parent-teacher meetings and other gatherings in the coming days. We will let you know if these can proceed with our school in a COVID-smart way. All visitors are asked to follow our usual sign-in and sign-out process.

Our school will continue to ensure our layered COVID-smart measures are in place, including vaccinations, maximising natural ventilation in learning spaces, continued good hand hygiene practices and enhanced cleaning.

A reminder that your child may receive a nasal swab or saliva rapid antigen testing kits in the coming weeks. Instructions are included in the kits detailing how to use the tests, check the results and dispose of the tests safely. You can also download the instructions through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website. The user guides will also contain a contact number for the suppliers if you need additional support.

Students using saliva testing kits must not eat or drink for 30 minutes before taking the saliva RAT, to give more accurate results.

Cohorting no longer required

As of Monday 28 February, students will no longer be required to be kept in year groups or other cohorts and we will no longer be required to use staggered start or finish times. We will commence our regular bell times from Monday 28 February. The canteen will be open for service on Monday. We will continue to use the core layered COVID-smart measures for minimising risk when planning activities and events.

We strongly encourage our students and their families to consider vaccination including boosters when eligible. Find a vaccination clinic to book an appointment near you.

Thank you again for your continued support during this school term.

Robin Chand

Principal

Parent Session - Cyber Safety

Presented by ySafe and KSP - Monday 28 February