From the Assistant Principal

I would like to welcome back students to their final term of learning for 2021. During Term 4, I encourage all students to continue to take advantage of opportunities to explore their learning in areas of particular interest to them.

This term marks the commencement of the HSC Examinations for our Year 12 students. It also marks the commencement of the HSC courses for the Class of 2022.

These are important points in the education of these students and I wish both groups well in their endeavors. As our Year 11 students begin to engage in the final four terms of their learning at the College, I encourage them to plan their study time and take a strategic approach to assessment preparation. 

As the College is accommodating the HSC demands mandated by NESA, I thank the students of Years 7-11, who will continue to actively and effectively engage in both their remote learning and face-to-face learning, when they return to campus as the term progresses. The staff at the College will continue to upload their lesson plans and content to COMPASS and Google Classrooms during this time. It is important that students continue to engage with these learning platforms.

As articulated in the letter sent to parents by Dr Ireland earlier this week about the MSCW Term 4 Return to School Plan, a few key reminders are below.

Attendance 

• All students are expected to return to face-to-face learning from the return date listed in the MSCW Term 4 Return to School Plan. If your child is unwell or suffering any symptoms, they should remain at home until they return a negative COVID-19 test. It should also be noted that, for operational reasons, your child may not have their regular classroom teacher during this back to school transition period in Term 4. 

Arrival and departure 

• To facilitate a safe arrival and departure from the College, all students will enter and exit the College via the bottom gate. Students travelling to and from school via public transport are required to wear a mask, as per the NSW Health regulations. 

Canteen

• Until further notice, the Canteen will be available for lunch orders only. All orders must be placed via the Flexischool portal.

Activities 

• The return to school will have a number of very specific restrictions on activity on the College site. This includes a prohibition on any assemblies, large group gatherings, performances or presentations on site. Excursions, camps and field trips have also been cancelled at this stage. 
• Choir, bands and ensembles are currently on hold and any community events we had planned will also be cancelled. While this is disappointing, it will limit the risk of exposure for our students and maximise our classroom learning time after a term learning from home. 

Masks, hand sanitiser and social distancing

• When we return, all staff will be wearing masks while on the College site and all students will be required to wear them indoors. It is recommended that students also wear them outdoors.
• All staff and students will be asked to regularly use the hand sanitiser available and abide by social distancing requirements.
• The College will continue to be cleaned each day.
• Masks are to be worn on public transport to and from the College.

Parents and non-essential workers

• At the moment, parents/carers and other non-essential visitors are not allowed on the school site. 

Vaccinations

• As the government rolls out available vaccines for students (currently available to students aged 12 and above), these arrangements also provide you the opportunity to discuss vaccination for your daughter as a family and access the vaccination as it becomes available.
• Year 7 Vaccination Program, Term 4 2021

Study skills tip for October – Asking for help

Powerful learners have a number of things in common and one of the most important ones is that they seek help when they need it. If you are struggling in any aspect of your life, the best thing you can do is to reach out and ask for assistance.

The worst thing you can do is to do nothing or pretend the issue doesn’t exist. For example, if there have been aspects of your learning this year that you have found difficult, or have fallen behind in, this last term of school before the end of the year is the perfect time to reach out for help. 

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #2, #6 & #8