Welcome back to term 4! We managed to survive the holidays relatively unscathed in terms of COVID and its immediate impact on our school but we watch nervously what is happening around us. We continue to operate under the cohort model and abiding by all NSW Health directives and processes. The students and staff are very relieved to be back at relatively normal operations and continuing with our teaching and learning. Thank you to all the students, staff and families who are graciously following all instructions to help protect our community. A reminder that if any students present with COVID-like symptoms they are required to be sent home and to be tested. Hopefully as time passes this insistence will also pass.

Term 4 holds much promise and much to do. We will endeavour to proceed with our normal routines and finalise our assessment and reporting later in the term. We will also keep the community informed about all of our events and activities when we receive further information about what is permitted. We are hopeful that we will be able to hold Kinder and year 7 transition programs, graduations, work experience, Award presentations and all our important events as we celebrate 2021 and prepare for 2022. A reminder that if you are aware of any families interested in enrolling their children to tell them to contact the school and conversely if students are not continuing with us next year that we are informed of their new school options.

Year 10 are entering their final days with us and we are very proud of the wonderful people they are growing into. They are compassionate, kind and enthusiastic about their futures. They are busily completing coursework and final assessments before they sit their final examinations in Week 5. We hope that they use these final weeks productively and positively to ensure that they give themselves options to take them into 2022.

A reminder that the canteen is operating with online orders only, as per COVID protocols. Hopefully this will also change with the passing weeks and students can have “walk-up” sales. Thank you to all parents for their efficient adoption of this practice. Our canteen ladies – Ms Sutherland and Ms Dawe work extremely hard to ensure our students have a healthy and varied selection to choose from.  We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful canteen that provides such excellent service to our community.

Now that the warmer weather is slowly creeping in we have made the switch to summer uniforms. All students are required to have a school hat with them for all breaks and outside activities. Uniform is always a “hot topic” amongst students and families as fashion trends come and go with hairstyles, accessories and jewellery. We strive to maintain a consistent and fair approach to the entire school and follow appropriate procedures to monitor and regulate uniform expectations. If at any time you have an issue with the uniform expectations you are encouraged to make contact with the school to discuss your ideas.

We were scheduled to hold our annual school photos this week but due to COVID restrictions they will be held on 19 OCTOBER. Details on how to order online are in this week’s newsletter and envelopes will be sent out next week for all students. Students will be required to be in full summer uniform with respect to the hair and jewellery school rules.

Our beautiful new shade sails have been installed and they definitely improve the aesthetics and shade value of the playgrounds. Thank you to our P & F for their generous support of the secondary installation. We are very fortunate to have such a committed band of parents who work to provide the extra things for our students.

There is much to look forward to in the coming weeks and we hope that people make the most of every opportunity that we are afforded. Let us pray that we continue to stay safe and well and that we appreciate how lucky and blessed we really are!

Remember, it doesn’t cost anything to be kind and to always pray to have eyes to see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad and a soul that never loses faith in God.

God Bless! Stay well.

Ms Nicky Trinder

Principal