From the Principal

Listening with the heart

It was St Benedict who wrote:

‘Listen Carefully and Incline the Ear of the Heart.’

It is a beautiful phrase because many people prefer to talk rather than listen. The recent COVID pandemic has provided an opportunity for numerous people to express an opinion on ‘what the authorities should be doing’. Fortunately, in Australia we have a large number of political leaders keen to make decisions in the best interests of our people. 

It does pull at the heartstrings when we learn of the plight of many around the world with very serious COVID related concerns. I fell in love with India when visiting in 2019 as part of our Year 11 pilgrimage program. Our prayers are needed as that country faces over 300,000 new cases per day. Whilst our pilgrimage visits to India are ‘on hold’, we will continue to provide financial support to the communities we usually visit.

Thank you to all members of the College community for their understanding this week with mask wearing and other necessary restrictions we have faced. The support of our community has been outstanding as we all try and listen to the advice of the experts and ensure the safety of our wider community. Students have been great with wearing of masks; teachers have showed common sense with teaching of classes and families have been very supportive. We look forward with optimism to the coming weeks as we celebrate and acknowledge living in a comparatively safe environment in Western Australia.

The Premier’s announcement last night will enable a further transition next week. Guidance provided to schools includes the following:

Mask Wearing 

• All staff members and students in Years 7 to 12 will still be required to wear a mask whilst indoors when at school. Teachers are not required to wear a mask while teaching. The requirement to wear masks outdoors will be relaxed unless physical distancing is not possible.  This includes travelling on public transport.
• Students in Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6 in the Perth are not required to wear a mask, but their teachers and support staff must continue to wear masks.
• Students may be exempt from wearing a mask at school under the following circumstances: 
  • the student has a physical, developmental or mental illness, injury, condition or disability which makes wearing a face covering unsuitable;
  • when communicating with another person who is deaf or hard of hearing, where visibility of the mouth is essential for communication; 
  • when engaged in strenuous or vigorous exercise;
  • when consuming food, drink or medicine, provided that they are seated at the time.

Parents, caregivers and visitors on school premises

• Parents, caregivers and visitors to schools must wear a mask and adhere to COVID-safe guidelines while they are indoors on a school site. If parents, caregivers and visitors are outdoors on a school site, masks must be worn if physical distancing is not possible.

School assemblies and indoor activities

• Indoor venues with fixed seating are able to operate at 100% capacity.  This includes theatres, concert halls, cinemas and performing arts centres. 
• Masks are mandatory for indoor public venues with exemption for medical reasons and for primary school aged children or younger. 
• Churches may reopen to 100% capacity.
• Indoor facilities including school halls, gymnasiums, libraries, community centres, museums, galleries and recreation centres may open subject to observing the two square metre rule.
• Masks are required to be worn at all indoor venues, with exemption for medical reasons or for primary school aged children and younger.

Outdoor venues and activities

• Outdoor sport can resume with spectators. 
• If outdoors, spectators are required to wear masks where physical distancing is not possible.

Robert Henderson

Principal