PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents/Carers, Families and College Community

On Monday this week I woke with a sore throat and headache…. sound familiar? An eye-watering RAT indicated I was COVID positive and a subsequent PCR confirmed that was the case. Seven days in isolation and I am now part of the growing group of staff, students and parents who have succumbed to the virus. 

My thanks to the staff who have assisted me this week to be somewhat productive whilst I am in ISO. My commiserations to those who have trod this path before me and to those who have yet to do so.

Over this week we experienced a surge in our COVID positive cases with a number of staff being diagnosed. This is particularly critical in our Trades area, where four out of five staff have tested positive at different points over the week. 

Fortunately, we have a pool of excellent relief Trades teachers who are very familiar with our processes  and  we have called upon to maintain our learning program as close to normal as possible. We will need to be flexible over the next few days as we work our way through individual staff isolation periods. 

We have also lost some of our catering and cleaning staff which will impact on how we operate, but our brilliant staff have filled gaps and set up strategies to ensure routines continue as close to normal as possible. I am again thankful that we have such a supportive, dedicated and flexible group of staff across the College. I ask our families and students to be understanding and patient over this time.

More momentous this week than my infection,  was the winter solstice.  This marks the longest night or shortest day in the year. So, from this point on the days get longer. I have always maintained that Term 2 is the most challenging term, as our anxiety rises waiting for rain and our subconscious reacts to shortening day lengths. 

Add to that,  the challenges this term has brought by COVID with the constant changing settings, the dealing with symptomatic and positive cases and all whilst focussing on maintaining normal learning programs. I think we are all ready for a break in a week’s time and I wish you all well. 

Next week’s College Ball will be a great bookend for the term and a great way to start the holidays. I am looking forward to seeing our students dressed up in their finery and enjoying their evening. 

Please do not allow your children  to arrive at the Ball under the influence of any substance and risk them not be permitted entry into the Ball. Also, in the past there have been occasions where arriving students have behaved poorly and dangerously in vehicles on approach to the venue, sometimes with parent involvement. This sort of behaviour reflects poorly on the College and is something the venue has had concerns about in the past. I ask that you please assist us to ensure that our students have a positive and enjoyable night respectful of others.