Return to face-to-face teaching

Welcome back to a new term. 

It is great to get a date for return to school for all students. It has been a long time since students were on site of school.

Year 12 will return on Monday 18th October

Year 7-11 will return Monday 25th October

While we are coming back to school, it will be a very new normal that we come back to. When we return to school every student will be required to follow all Public Health Orders such as QR codes and wearing masks. 

In the letter sent out each Friday information will be provided about expectations of each student while on site. Please read the letters and be prepared for the new way of attending school. 

I suggest that over the next week all students start to prepare for the return to school. Getting back into routines like getting up early, going to be earlier are ways that will make the return to school easier. 

All students must be prepared for normal classes. Youi need to have your devise charges, and all your books for the day organised. You need to be in summer uniform and following all uniform rules for the school. Have your lunch ready and a drink bottle.

Being prepared will make the return to school easier for all students.

Uniforms

Please be aware of your child’s uniform. It’s been 3 months since they have worn the uniform. Some students would have had a growth spurt and their uniform is a little small. Please check the length of the boys pants which should go down to the shoes and the length of the girls kilt which should go down to the knees.

Some students had pierced their ears and some their nose. Just to remind students and families the only piercing accepted at the College is for the girls only. One silver or gold sleeper or stud or a small jewel in each ear. No nose, lip or any other facial piercing is acceptable. No plastic piercings should be worn and no band-aids covering a piercing. Students will be asked to remove any piercings while at school- this is not negotiable.

Students are expected to have the College bag every day while at school. If there is a problem with the bag a note must be presented to the Learning advisor.

Boys should be clean shaven every day and Girls should have their hair tied back.

Cyber safety

Social media is part of all of our lives. There are some real positive aspects of social media but there are also some real problems with social media. 

There are age limits on social media for safety reasons but also because immature young people can misuse social media. It is very easy for people to write mean and inappropriate things online because they fell safe behind a computer screen. Many comments are made to people that would never be said face to face. On line bullying can occur because the person thinks that they are anonymous. 

The person who pays the bills for the phone and the internet is the person responsible for what happens on the registered device. A parent or guardian should be aware of all online activity of anyone using their device or internet. Regular checks of content and social media use are essential to prevent harm online. 

The College has information available to help families deal with online behaviour and if they contact their Leader of Learning- Pastoral for the child’s year group, they can assist in helping with issues. 

Blocking sites

The Government support site esafety.gov.au has some helpful tips for blocking sites and safety on line

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/skills-advice/taming-technology

What is in the Planner?

When we are with others, we need to use CARE

C= Communication: be open and honest

A= Achieve: aim for win-win conversations

R= Respect: believe and show others matter

E= Expect: give more of yourself to grow

It is important to take every opportunity that is presented to you. Positive engagement in life is a key to building your identity.  It is a risk sometimes to take on a new challenge and sometimes your challenges may not be successful but the most important thing is to give it a go. 

It is the time of year we are looking for our Year 10 Leaders and SRC leaders for 2022 in the College. One key characteristic of a leader is GRIT.  Grit is the long-term persistence to achieve something and make a positive difference. Leaders also believe others matter and so do their opinions, they follow through with what they say and that actions are better than intentions.

God Bless

Mr. Nicholas Thrum

Assistant principal - Students