Dear Parents, Students and Friends

It is hard to believe we have arrived at the end of Term 3. And what a term it has been! I commend our students and staff for the way they have embraced remote learning once again. We have been very deliberate with our timetabling and lesson delivery to ensure maximum engagement. I have been very proud of our students. They have maintained high attendance and it’s been my pleasure to pop into classes and be part of Homeroom each day. Well done to all!

Celebrating Year 12…

Naturally this week has been disappointing for our Year 12 students. In a normal year, Year 12 would have celebrated their final day of formal lessons today and enjoyed their farewell Mass, Awards Assembly and Formal. All significant events to mark the end of their final year of schooling. Despite the unusual circumstances we find ourselves in, Year 12 have forged ahead and maintained an optimistic outlook. A credit to them all! We have reenvisaged plans for Term 4 and we are hopeful that all celebrations will go ahead at rescheduled times.

Congratulations to our Year 12 HSC Musicians

Below is an overview of next term for our seniors, specifically Year 12. At this stage, Year 12 will return to school face-to-face on Monday 25 October (Week 4), Year 11 the week after (Week 5), and Years 7-10 on 8 November (Week 6).

So, what are the experts saying about remote learning?

John Hattie slams learning loss rhetoric as 'utterly misleading'
As Professor John Hattie sees it, “contrary to expectations, forecasters, and purveyors of doom” we have actually seen very high levels of “value-added growth” since teaching in COVID began. Amid the negative headlines and talk of widespread learning losses across the country, Hattie wants the narrative to change. Thanks to the expertise of school leaders and teachers, he says, the evidence shows learning trajectories have only marginally decreased during the pandemic. Do you agree it's time that educators own their successes as we work to shake up the ‘old grammar of schooling’?

  LeadershipEd

      Sarah Duggan, Editor

Good news stories continue for Year 12 students…

Congratulations to Joel Barnes for achieving an offer to Game Programming Course - Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development with the Academy of Interactive Entertainment in Canberra. Joel underwent an application, submission of his portfolio of work and an interview. Well done Joel.

Congratulations to Year 12 UOW early entry applicants who were informed they have progressed to interview and activation event invitations this week. Offers for this scheme will be made on 11 October.

Well done to the 23 Year 12 students who have submitted their UAC School Recommendation Scheme applications on time for rating by the College this week. This Scheme closes on 19 October for all students. 

Congratulations to Leila Patyus who has received a conditional offer to James Cook University in Townsville for a Bachelor of Marine Science. Leila is planning to move to Townsville next year.

Industrial Technology HSC Major Works

Last week, we received the news that Mr John O’Neill suffered a heart attack. He is recovering at home and is in good spirits. Mr O’Neill will be off work for some time. In his absence, I have appointed Mrs Erica Drewsen and Mrs Sandra Harris to the role of Assistant Principal, Curriculum. Mrs Drewsen and Mrs Harris will work in a job-share capacity. Please keep Mr O’Neill and his family in your thoughts and prayers at this time.

Term 4 Start Date

All students have received their new remote timetable. This starts on Wednesday 6 October when we return for Term 4. I will be in touch during the holidays if there are any changes to our current circumstances. I wish all families a safe and restful break. I encourage students to limit screen time these holidays and enjoy a variety of activities that don’t involve a computer!

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal

 

Infinite power and love

Lord God, we entrust to you the families and communities
affected by Coronavirus, wherever they may be.
We pray especially for health care workers, that you may guide and protect them.
We pray that your Spirit might inspire those researching new medicines and treatments.
And in the midst of this, keep us strong in faith, hope and love. Grant us the
courage and perseverance to be good neighbours.
May the words of your Son Jesus Christ in the Our Father,
be our prayer as we entrust ourselves and all of us who are affected
to your infinite power and love. 

Amen.

Adapted from an Ebola prayer by Caritas Guinea