From the Principal

Welcome back to school for Term 3, although it isn’t the start we wanted.

You will have received a number of Compass updates recently about changes and cancellations. We are currently working with the venue to try to arrange an alternative date for Year 9 Camp. I must be honest – it isn’t an easy task at the moment, as they have a full complement of bookings, and we are uncertain when excursions and camps will be back. Rest assured that if it is possible to run a camp we will do so, but we are arranging refunds at present. 

Year 12 and their families have received information that the start date for the Trial HSC is now Monday 9 August. At present the submission dates for major projects are unchanged. Should NESA make any changes we will inform you as soon as we can. Year 11 examinations have also moved to later in the term, with a start date of Monday 23 August.

There are other changes, so please check your email and Compass regularly.

I thank the whole community for their support in ensuring that we keep everyone safe. Learning from home isn’t quite the same, and it brings some challenges, but it’s been wonderful to see the goodwill of students and staff as this period of lockdown progresses. Don’t hesitate to get in touch should you require support. Georgina Andrews has provided information in this newsletter, and we are all available to you in various electronic forms.

In a livestream at the end of the vacation, teachers were encouraged by Murat Dizdar, the Deputy Secretary School Performance, to avoid the perfection trap. These are difficult circumstances, and the aim should be to do the best we can. I would extend that advice to our students – and parents. 

Learning at home, even with Zoom interactivity, can be a more lonely process. Some students will thrive in this environment, but others will miss that interaction and relationship more keenly. Parents are juggling their own work while trying to supervise their children. The result may not be perfection, so don’t beat yourselves up. Students – your job is to show up, ready to work and with the attitude that you can and will do everything you can to learn as much as you can. That is all we ask – nothing more or nothing less than your best. 

I very much hope that we can welcome students back to school on August 2. In the meantime, stay safe and read – remember that the Lion Library ebooks are always available. There is no greater escape from daily life than a good book. 

Please also note the online safety information session with Yasmin London has been postponed.

Jane Dennett

Principal