Senior School

Adaptability Is Our Theme in the Senior School this Term!

At the heart of our Ad Altiora Framework sits the image of a ship, a badge worn with pride by generations of Blue Mountains Grammar School students and alumni. Without wishing to belabour the metaphor, our community has strived this term to navigate the storms, gales and shifting shoals of this most recent COVID outbreak and has done so with astounding adaptability. I have been enormously impressed with the speed with which our teachers and staff have pivoted to online learning, and to working from home. Similarly, our students’ ability to throw themselves into their learning with all the challenges of this current season has been striking.

With changing and sometimes conflicting messages from government and health authorities (themselves struggling to rapidly adapt to evolving circumstances), we have been forced to shift direction multiple times over recent weeks. Whilst I acknowledge the frustration and uncertainty such change may provoke, I am grateful for the trust our students and families have shown to our teachers and similarly, to our leadership team. We have been listening hard to the feedback provided through our Family Liaison Program, and also to the many students, parents and staff who have taken the time to write to us both to encourage our team and to offer advice.

As a result, we have asked our Senior School Teachers to adapt their practice with regard to Zoom lessons. Where in the first five weeks of the Lockdown we asked teachers to Zoom with students every lesson (in order to ensure our students remained engaged in their learning and to offer support), we have now asked teachers to reduce the frequency and length of Zoom sessions. We recognise that as this lockdown drags wearily on, both our students and our teachers need time away from their screens and away from Zoom. The number of Zoom lessons will necessarily vary between subjects and across year groups, but students should expect an overall reduction in the number of hours they are expected to appear on Zoom with their teachers. It is our hope that this will alleviate to some degree the screen-fatigue so many are feeling. Lessons, however, will continue with no less rigour, and students should continue to access the Homework portion of Mezzo and their Google Classroom for instructions. Where students need additional assistance, they should contact their teachers directly.

Similarly, we are instituting a screen-free time each Wednesday afternoon while lockdown continues. I will leave it to Mrs. Michielsen to explain how this will work, and how students can be earning House Points. Please make sure you read Mrs. Michielsen’s Wellbeing page in this Newsletter for details.

Finally, I urge students and parents to continue to reach out to the relevant staff here at the School should there be any way we can serve you throughout this challenging season.

Mr Owen Laffin

Head of Senior School

School Vaccination Program – Postponed

We have received advice from the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District School Vaccination Program Coordinator that the School Vaccination Program which was scheduled to commence in Week 9 will be postponed, with a new date to be advised.

Year 7 Students who were due to receive their second dose in Week 9, please note that you will not be required to restart the course and you will receive this dose in Year 8.
Year 7 Students who have returned a consent form but have not commenced their vaccines can receive these in Year 8, if need be.
Year 10 Students who were scheduled for the Meningococcal ACWY clinic, this can be administered in Year 11.
Students who have not yet returned a consent card but do wish to be vaccinated at School, please ensure you return the NSW Health original consent card in 2021.

If Parents or Students are concerned regarding this delay, please contact your GP to book an appointment to receive the vaccine(s). Otherwise, please be assured that the NBMLHD School Vaccination team will do their utmost to administer these vaccinations at School.

Mrs Maree Yabsley

Student Reception