Principal's Update

Stay well and keep safe

As the College launches a refreshed Newsletter - and in a very different start to Term 3, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our community for their support, patience and understanding as we continue to do our very best to provide a high quality and flexible learning program for all students.

Our College Values, of Respect, Commitment, Academic Excellence and Continuous Improvement have never been more important as we continue to work together in 2020.

I ask that we all spend some time recognising the efforts of our students, parents and staff so far in 2020. Specifically, we need to be understanding of our Year 7 students - who have not even had the opportunity at 1 full term of learning at Secondary School, but also our current Year 12 students who now don’t get to spend time with their friends during the last few months before they finish school. 

For our Year 12 students, they may be anxious, realising their last year of school has not been a normal one, they won’t play their final sports season, or have a proper valedictory or formal. They’re nervous about their final weeks of school and what might come next. But they came into this world in the days following 9/11 and they are finishing high school during a pandemic, so I have no doubt they will be our strongest generation yet.

While some may say they are lucky in many respects - as Parents, just reflect back when you were 18 and how much all of these milestones meant to you and your friends. Give them your support. They need it. They deserve it.

Many members of our Community may be experiencing hardship and stress during the current COVID 19 Pandemic as the State Government declares a State of Disaster and puts in measures to take rapid action to try and curb the spread of COVID 19.  As a result we certainly encourage you to reach out to the College for any support we can offer.

I would like to draw your attention to supports that do exist during these times including:

https://embracementalhealth.org.au

1800 551 800 or kidshelp.com.au

13 11 14 or https://www.lifeline.org.au/

1300 22 4636 or https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

In the meantime, the best thing we can do is to follow the expectations that are being put in place by the government and health authorities, and to do everything we can to limit the spread of the virus and to support the most vulnerable people in our community.

I also wanted to thank our students and staff who have been incredibly responsible as they adhere to the new restrictions including wearing face masks and physical distancing. This has made transitioning to the "new normal" as smooth as possible.

Understandably, learning will be very different. We trust that students will make every possible effort to stay connected to their teachers and lessons online. It is important to acknowledge that many challenges will present throughout this process, and we seek your support as we work through emerging challenges that arise as we assist students to engage in learning.

We have to acknowledge that there is still some uncertainty ahead for all students, I urge you to not worry about the immediate future. We are here to support you. All our teachers are completely committed to supporting you to achieve your best this year. Regardless of the mode of learning we engage with in Term 3, we are prepared.

Even though it will take time, we will get through this pandemic. I wish everyone the best break you can possibly have in these challenging circumstances.

If you need support or help, please do not hesitate to contact the College.

Stay Safe and Take Care.