Principal’s Report

Dear Fortians, Parents and Carers,

Congratulations on completing fifteen days of learning from home and thank you for supporting your child/ren and the school thus far and into the next few weeks. The return of students to on-site activities will continue to be based on the latest NSW Health advice.

It is a lonely school without students and staff. I have posted some photos below of some of the great new spaces that have been completed in the school but at this stage remain very much underutilised.

The SRC has been regularly posting on Instagram to engage with students and to provide ways to make the lockdown a little better. All the content is posted on the Instagram page: @srcfshs, there are currently around 600 followers, but the SRC would love to have the entire school following their page so that they connect more with other students. The page is public, so it is easily accessible for students, all you need is an Instagram account.

If you have any feedback, or would like support, please don’t hesitate to email: fortstreet-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au. We have very few staff on site each day so while you can phone, email is the most efficient way to reach teachers and other staff because the email will be forwarded onto the relevant person.

Year 12 and HSC Students

All year 12 and students who are sitting for HSC exams in 2021 will be required to attend school from 16 August to sit trial HSC exams. Of course, staff and students will be reminded not to attend school and to get a COVID-19 test if they have any symptoms or have been instructed to do so by NSW Health. If students cannot attend a trial exam they will need to contact the school before the exam commences that day and submit the misadventure paperwork.

The school will have detailed plans in place to minimise contact between individuals and exam cohorts. We will also be following strict environmental hygiene and infection control procedures. Whenever on site staff, students and visitors will be required to adhere to the strictest of COVID-safe practices including physical distancing, hand hygiene and wearing a mask. Detailed exam procedures will be sent to all HSC students closer to 16 August.

From 16 August, HSC students will also be permitted to attend school to participate in performance rehearsals and to complete work on practical tasks where specialist equipment is required. Only students who are required for the performance should attend, and only in their own performance groups.

The Qudos Bank Arena at Sydney Olympic Park has been confirmed as the mass vaccination centre for HSC students over the age of 16 from the 8 LGAs of Fairfield, Liverpool, Canterbury/Bankstown, Cumberland, Blacktown, Georges River, Parramatta and Campbelltown. This venue will have the capacity next week to vaccinate all students who live and study in those LGAs.

The Department of Education is still working with NSW Health to assess whether they can widen the eligible cohort for vaccination. Further details about how these vaccinations can be booked has not yet been provided and I will communicate this as soon as I receive it. Students can leave those LGAs to attend the vaccination centre.