As we return to the new term I take the opportunity to outline a number of the COVID-19 developments and directives that will support our safe return to school over the coming weeks. At the outset, and as you would appreciate, many of these directives have changed at rather short notice in recent days. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, we will keep you up to date with these developments as they are made known to us. 

As you would be aware, any students or teachers on school grounds from the start of this term, are required to wear a mask at all times, regardless of whether they are indoors or outdoors. The only exception is when we are in the act of eating or drinking. Similar rules still exist for all students on public transport to or from school. Students are, and will continue to be, reminded of basic hygiene practices such as keeping their distance from others wherever possible and regularly using one of the many hand hygiene stations situated around the College. 

In terms of our arrangements with our local bus companies, we have been notified that these services will resume on Monday 18 October, in line with our Year 12 students returning. While parents are still encouraged to drop their children at school from their respective commencement dates, please also be aware that the public health order still prohibits carpooling with anyone beyond your immediate household. It is also important that parents do not get out of their car during pickup/drop off periods. If you need to attend the College at other times, please phone ahead in case your enquiry can be handled over the phone. 

Another condition that will govern our safe return to school is the cancellation of all sport activities with the exception of some activities that will take place within PDHPE classes. For this reason, we will be adjusting Tuesday bell times to run consistent with the other days of the week, up until students are dismissed at their regular Tuesday dismissal time of 2:45pm. While sport will not be taking place, students are still permitted to wear their summer sports uniform to school. 

From Monday of Week 3 (18 October) schools are also required to stagger student movement in an attempt to minimise student interaction between cohorts. For this reason, we will be dismissing half of our students from class 5 minutes prior to the end of each period (based on odd/even classroom numbers) and 10 minutes prior to the bell going at the end of period 6 each day (3:05pm). This will hopefully provide some opportunities for students to leave the campus in a more gradual manner as opposed to everyone moving towards the exits at the same time. 

To further limit the mixing of cohorts, it will become necessary to further divide playground areas for students in each year group. This will be done by allocating year groups to certain halves of our two football fields and volleyball courts, in addition to their existing undercover areas. Further to the ban on sporting activities mentioned above, there is also a ban on activities that require equipment, such as ball games. Such activities would have been challenging whilst wearing a mask, however, as soon as the directives are lifted that allow us to promote activities and movement, we will be sure to alter this expectation. 

Finally, as the new term gets underway, I take the opportunity to remind families to please continue following our COVID recording procedures that have been in place for most of the pandemic, which include: 

• Informing the school immediately if your child is self-isolating or undergoing testing, and informing us of the result as soon as possible.

• Following sickness with flu-like symptoms, ensuring your child is free of symptoms and can present a negative COVID-19 test, before attending the College site for any reason. 

All the best for the week and term ahead and thanking you all for your ongoing support.

David Cloran
Assistant Principal