Principal’s Report

Principal’s Report

Dear Fortians, Parents and Carers,

As always we have had a busy start to the term. The entire school participated in the school cross country at Petersham Park on Thursday 22 April which was a fun and successful afternoon. The year 12 Geography class enjoyed a five day trip to the Great Barrier Reef and on Thursday 29 April Year 8 History students participated in a ‘Medieval Day’ at which they had the opportunity to participate in a medieval weapons and armour show and to build their own medieval castle. An extremely successful study skills evening for Year 10 and 11 students and parents was held on Monday 3 May run by ‘Elevate’ and once again Year 12 students organised a ‘World’s Greatest Shave’ event on Friday 30 April this year raising over $22 000. Among other activities taking place this term the Fort Street Chess teams, Debating teams and Mock Trial team have all competed in official tournaments this term.

Congratulations to the Mock Trial Team who had a win against Domremy College in Five Dock last week.  Team participants are: Luke Sarginson, Caleb Mayo, Alex Mera, Francesca Murphy, Barisha Tashnin, Daniel Holland, Imogen Hamer, Audrey Truong, Veronica Kwong, Ethan Chan, Violet Rickards.

Fortian Museum

Behind closed curtains our school archivist Iain Wallace has been working on setting up a much larger version of the old ‘Ron Horan Museum’. The new museum is located on the ground level of the Wilkins Building in the original entrance to the school, the administration office and the old principal’s office. The museum is nearing completion and we are hoping to have an official opening for parents and students early next term.

School Facilities Projects

Unfortunately due to the heavy rain recently there has been a slight delay in the completion of the three major works being undertaken at the moment – these include a second outdoor volleyball court, sandstone tiered seating along the oval and a covered outdoor learning space in the Rowe Quad. Each of these projects will be completed soon.

Fort Street was successful in applying for the Metro-School Renewal Program which is a joint funding program between the Department of Education School Infrastructure and the School which will see an upgrade to the last science laboratory and prep rooms that were not completed in the original upgrade of labs a few years ago. This work is due to commence later this year.

The final stages of the library upgrade will also take place later this term which involves a refurbishment of the library entrance area. A new bag storage area will be created along with security cameras and painting in this space.

I would like to thank the P&C and in particular Teresa Matthews and Michael Easton for their work in refurbishing the new bigger and improved school uniform shop.

COVID-19 Update

You are probably aware that there has been an update to COVID-19 advice.

The following precautionary restrictions are in place for the Greater Sydney region (including Wollongong, Central Coast and Blue Mountains) until 12:01am on Monday 10 May 2021:

  • Students over the age of 12 and staff must comply with the Public Health (COVID-19 Mandatory Face Coverings) Order 2021 when travelling to and from school and during school excursions by public transport or by chartered or private transport services. This also applies to all public indoor venues such as retail, theatres, hospitals, aged care facilities and for front-of-house hospitality staff (except in a hospitality venue when eating or drinking. Refer to the NSW Government website for more information on wearing face masks.
  • Staff and students are not required to wear a face mask while at school. Anyone who wishes to wear their own masks in schools will not be prevented from doing so.
  • Wearing a face mask is not mandatory for parents and carers visiting schools.

It is important that schools continue to follow the COVID-19 guidelines. In particular we wish to highlight the following:

  • Staff and students should not attend work or school if unwell, even with mild symptoms of COVID-19. Any person with any COVID-19 symptoms should be sent home and should not return until they have received a negative test result and are symptom-free. In circumstances where children have other medical reasons for recurrent symptoms a letter from their GP is sufficient to negate the requirement for a negative test.
  • Anyone who is unwell with COVID-19 symptoms are strongly encouraged to get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received. Location of testing clinics are available via the NSW government website.