Principal's Message

Principal's Message and NAPLAN Update

Good afternoon and welcome to the second last week of Term 1!

 

Regarding Coronaviris (or COVID-19 as it is being called) - to say the situation is evolving, changing daily and uncharted territory is basically an understatement! However - I can assure you the College is making every effort to keep all members of our community informed as effectively and as quickly as possible. The catch is keeping up with the the pace of the developments! I had written an open letter to the College community last Sunday, and by Monday morning it was out of date because the information had changed! So I am asking everyone to please - be calm and patient. The 'fools' that are deliberately writing false information and sending emails that look official, but are totally false, are certainly not helping!

 

I actually did giggle yesterday when I took a call from a concerned parent, asking if it was true that we had 16 confirmed cases of the virus at the College. It is most definitely NOT true!

 

The directions from DET are very clear:

  1. All public schools remain open until we get any other direction. 
  2. All camps and excursions have been cancelled or postponed until further notice.

There is a list of activities that are cancelled later in the newsletter, so please read it carefully.

 

It was indeed a shame that the Year 7 camp had to be cancelled at such short notice, but fortunately it looks like we have secured some alternative dates later in the year. More information will follow as soon as we can confirm these details.

 

In terms of keeping up to date - the fastest way that we can respond to or get information 'out there' is using technology, please regularly check out our Facebook page, Compass or both!

 

Note: Parent Teacher Interviews have also been postponed. At this stage they will run on Thursday 23rd April and Friday 24th April. Parent/carers who have already made bookings will NOT need to reschedule. Bookings already made will remain in place for the new dates. 

 

Expectations around PT interviews are really simple - every student and family needs to meet with their teachers. This is a unique opportunity to have a chat, uninterrupted and totally focused on your child. Together, parents, student and teachers can talk about the current situation, the areas to improve and the steps to achieving these. Families and the College working together is the key to sustained improvement.

 

On another note: We are fortunate to have a well maintained school yard with plenty of green grass, trees and open spaces for students to catch up during recess and lunchtimes. Unfortunately, at the end of each day our College grounds are left covered with rubbish! I would hope that all people in our College community can walk around our grounds and feel a sense of pride - but this is difficult when there is litter everywhere. Please talk to your children about doing the right thing. I certainly would not visit your home and drop orange peel on the floor! Perhaps families could also try 'nude food' - no wrappers in school lunches.   A small effort from the whole College community will keep our grounds looking wonderful. 

 

Something to ponder: Resilience is a key life skill, yet at times I am a little frustrated at the low levels of resilience in both our students and adults (trying times, I know, but this is the time for people to 'step up'). Reflection: How do you support the development of resilience in your children and adult members of your family? With two grown girls in my own family, I certainly know that it can be a challenge!

 

Talk soon and stay healthy.

NAPLAN Cancelled For 2020


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