{"id":3221,"date":"2021-10-08T00:16:48","date_gmt":"2021-10-08T00:16:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/fortstreet\/?post_type=article&#038;p=3221"},"modified":"2021-10-28T00:38:02","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T00:38:02","slug":"principals-report-57","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/fortstreet\/article\/principals-report-57\/","title":{"rendered":"Principal&#8217;s Report"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dear\u00a0Fortians, Parents and Carers,<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As we come to the end of our final week of learning from home, I would again like to thank our parents for supporting our\u00a0Fortians\u00a0and the school throughout this unusual time and congratulate\u00a0our students\u00a0once again\u00a0for showing resilience and\u00a0continuing to\u00a0strive\u00a0to achieve their best\u00a0under difficult circumstances. Thank you to all our wonderful staff for their hard work and their dedication to our students.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Next week on Monday 25 October all students from years 7-11 will return to school.\u00a0The best learning environment for students is in the classroom and we are looking forward to welcoming back our staff and students to their classrooms. We know that while there will be excitement, there will also be some uncertainty about being back together at school.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We have been working on our COVID-safe plan to return to school and have put in place effective practices; vaccinations for staff on site, mask wearing, reduced mingling of staff and student groups, ventilation in classrooms and continued good hygiene and cleaning. We are confident that this, in combination with support from our school community, will minimise risk and help to keep students learning face-to-face next to their peers.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">All students will receive an invitation to an online (virtual) year assembly this Friday where we will discuss the return to face-to-face learning plan including:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"-\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"3\" data-aria-posinset=\"0\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">changes to the daily timetable and breaktimes to allow for staggered starts and finishes as well as separate break times for\u00a0different stages.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"-\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"3\" data-aria-posinset=\"0\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Designated areas for different year groups during breaks<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"-\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"3\" data-aria-posinset=\"0\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Access to the library and oval<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"-\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"3\" data-aria-posinset=\"0\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mask wearing<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"-\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"3\" data-aria-posinset=\"0\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Changes to sport program (inter-school and off campus sporting activities have all been cancelled for this term)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">An email will be sent home to all Parents this week with changes to bell times and further information regarding staggered start and finish times for the return to school.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For those families who have siblings across year groups I know it will be difficult to have different start and finish school\u00a0times\u00a0but it is important for the school to try to minimise the interaction between year groups arrival and departures and in particular large groups congregating at the train station.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What happens if there is a COVID-19 case at school?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We have COVID-safe plans\u00a0in place\u00a0and are taking precautions to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission on-site. This includes enhanced cleaning\u00a0two times a day in line with the latest advice from NSW Health and SafeWork Australia.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Contact tracing<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">NSW Health will notify the school if there is a positive COVID-19 case who has been infectious while at school and the school will in turn notify parents and carers. Contact tracing will be undertaken as it is in all other venues. The action we take in relation to the operation of the school will depend on how many people the person has been in contact with. In some cases, this may mean that the school may need to be made temporarily non-operational. Some staff and students may be asked to self-isolate as a precaution while contact tracing is completed.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Self-isolation<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">NSW Health have made changes to self-isolation requirements for people who are identified\u00a0as close contacts who are fully vaccinated.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Close contacts who are fully vaccinated must self-isolate for 7 days (and limit their movements for the next 7 days). Close contacts who are not vaccinated must isolate for 14 days.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Casual contacts need to get tested and self-isolate until they get a negative test result &#8211; even if they are vaccinated.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A reminder that anyone who has the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms must get tested immediately and self-isolate until they get a negative result &#8211; even if\u00a0they\u2018re vaccinated.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Vaccination requirements for staff and students<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">From 18 October all staff onsite will to be fully vaccinated. You can have confidence that we are handling the evidence requirements with the department and anyone interacting directly with your students will be fully vaccinated.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">COVID-19 vaccination is the best protection against severe illness\u00a0and also\u00a0reduces the risk of spreading COVID-19 to others. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 now will help to protect both you, your\u00a0family\u00a0and our school community.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">NSW Health are urging all students 12 and over to get vaccinated with the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible before returning to school.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There is currently sufficient supply of the Moderna vaccine to community pharmacies and the Pfizer vaccine to General Practitioners. Bookings can be made via the\u202f<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au\/\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Vaccine Clinic Finder<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Depending on location, bookings are available within the next few days.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mask requirements<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To reflect the changes in community settings mask wearing requirements have been updated for schools.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Students and staff will be expected to\u00a0wear masks in all indoor settings at all times.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Students will be required to provide their own masks each day and we would encourage them to use reusable masks rather than disposable masks. Reusable masks should be washed every day and disposable masks should be thrown away at the end of each day. The online uniform shop is now selling navy and maroon masks with the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Fort Street logo for $8<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0each if you are interested in purchasing these via the school website.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Masks are mandatory on public transport. This applies to students aged 13 years and over, and to staff when travelling to and from school and during school excursions by public transport or by chartered or private transport services.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Congratulations<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The newly elected SRC held a virtual camp last week on Thursday and Friday at which the new SRC President and Vice President were elected. I would like to congratulate our new President of the 2021-2022 SRC \u2013 Alyssa Khaw and our new Vice President \u2013 Chantelle Hoang. I know that together they will lead the SRC to do fantastic work for the remainder of Term 4, 2021 and throughout 2022.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">NAPLAN results<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The school has received these packages and they will be distributed to students when they return to school next week.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">HSC student advice<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It has been lovely to\u00a0see\u00a0so many\u00a0Year\u00a012 students at school over the past 3 weeks.\u00a0\u00a0I know that there are questions around graduation and other celebrations.\u00a0The advice is still that we cannot plan for any event that occurs before 3 December. When we have further advice, we will advise. In the meantime, we will be planning for\u00a0Year 12 students at least to celebrate in some way at school on Friday 3 December<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate Year 12 students on site for the last two weeks before the HSC exams commence (25 October \u2013 9 November) as the traditional two breaks during the day have been extended to four breaks to reduce mingling between cohorts. It will be safest for Year 12 students to study from home during those two weeks and to continue to access their teachers online.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Every Year 12 student should have received an individual examination timetable for the HSC with rooming advice. Mr Morrison has also emailed all students and parents the COVID-safe exam plan including the contingency venue in case of a temporary site closure. If you have not yet received this email, please contact Mr Morrison.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wellbeing resources for students and families<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Please take some time to check out our\u202f<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/education.nsw.gov.au\/covid-19\/wellbeing-for-students-and-families.html\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wellbeing resources for students and families<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. You\u2019ll find useful tools for mental health and wellbeing. Please do not hesitate to reach out if we can do anything to help you and your children to prepare for the return to face-to-face learning or if you have any concerns about the return to school.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Thank you again for your continued support during what has already been a fast-moving school term.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Juliette McMurray<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dear\u00a0Fortians, Parents and Carers,\u00a0 As we come to the end of our final week of learning from home, I would again like to thank our parents for supporting our\u00a0Fortians\u00a0and the school throughout this unusual time and congratulate\u00a0our students\u00a0once again\u00a0for showing resilience and\u00a0continuing to\u00a0strive\u00a0to achieve their best\u00a0under difficult circumstances. Thank you to all our wonderful staff [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":360,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","class_list":["post-3221","article","type-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/fortstreet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/3221","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/fortstreet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/fortstreet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/fortstreet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3221"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/fortstreet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/fortstreet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}