“I will bring them back from the land of the North and gather them from the far ends of the earth… a great company returning here”. Jer 31:7 – 9

Often we hear readings from Mass and they hold a special message that was certainly never intended by the writers. This weekend in the first reading from Jeremiah, we see the phrase above. Whilst thousands of years ago, this would not have been written for our students who are coming back onsite next Monday, the idea that they are ‘returning here’ together is nonetheless very relevant to our current context. For our students returning on Monday, it is not just a change from where they study or how they study, but it is a return to community, to friends and to the safety of routines and the familiar. When they return, there will be trepidation for some and excitement for others. For some, these feelings, either positive or negative, will last for weeks or months whilst for others they will be fleeting. Regardless of their feelings about return, the one common factor is that they return to a community which has Christ at the centre and will offer opportunities for excellence. As always, the challenge for students is to take these opportunities and build on the strengths or repair the shortfalls they bring with them from the remote learning period.

With this in mind, Mr Cloran and myself have listed many things in the past few newsletters that will help to ensure a safe return. Students will be given instructions around year group spaces, break times and mask wearing inside. Windows and doors will be open for ventilation and air conditioners have been cleaned and tested and will have gel pad inserts that will help to kill germs. In all, the specific directives from NSW Health and Catholic Education in Wollongong have been followed and will remain in place until advised otherwise. I thank students and parents in anticipation of your assistance in helping us to keep our community safe.

A reminder that under the current directives, canteen facilities can only be accessed by one cohort at a time. As stated in last week’s newsletter, please be advised that there will be NO CANTEEN FACILITIES when your child returns to school. Needless to say, that due to restrictions to people coming onsite and the obvious health concerns, as is our normal policy, students are not permitted to book food delivery services.

As things are starting to open up, it is with great pleasure that we see the return to Sunday Masses. As parishes are opening up in different ways, please follow this link to find when your parish is opening.

At the end of last term, we began the recruitment process to appoint a new Leader of Learning - Curriculum - Pedagogy following the resignation in the middle of the year of Ms Tolomeo. At the same time, we decided to also appoint a Leader of Learning – Curriculum – Administration to assist in this area. I have the pleasure of announcing that Ms Chardonnay Miller has been appointed to the substantive pedagogy role and Mrs Kripal has accepted the Administration role in addition to her Administration Coordinator role. I thank both Ms Millar and Mrs Kripal for accepting these important positions supporting learning within the College.

As always, a very big thank you to the staff, students and parents for your flexibility and ongoing support during remote learning.