Dear Students, Parents and Caregivers,
As you would all be aware, the NSW Government has extended the Greater Sydney lockdown until the end of September. I know for many of us, myself included, this is very difficult news. This decision has a significant impact on so many different aspects of College life. I would like to thank you once again for your ongoing understanding and support, especially during these challenging times. I appreciate the many ways that you and the staff of St Dominic’s support each other. We are truly in this together.
I would like to provide you with updates on upcoming events that have either been postponed, modified or altered to meet the needs of our community:
YEAR 12 GRADUATION DAY CEREMONY, MASS AND AWARDS POSTPONED
It is with great sadness that we have had to postpone the Year 12 Graduation Day until we have definite details on the planned return to on-campus learning. The College will investigate all options as we deem it very important to celebrate the graduation of Year 12 and their final year at St Dominic’s College. We will keep Year 12 and their families updated as soon as we are made aware of changes to the current lockdown restrictions and the implications for schools.
YEAR 12 THURSDAY SEMINARS
Year 12 students are reminded that the Thursday afternoon seminars will recommence on 2nd September.
YEAR 12 FINAL REPORTS
Following the Trial HSC Assessments, teachers will finalise the last school-based report Year 12 students will receive from the College. These reports will be emailed by Friday, 8th October.
THURSDAY, 9TH SEPTEMBER – YEAR 12 STUDENT/PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS (ONLINE)
Though the Year 12 Final Reports will not be available, the College recognises the importance of conducting these interviews so that teachers can provide feedback to students and parents following the Trial HSC Assessments. Booking details will be communicated during Week 8.
YEAR 11 HSC PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT BLOCK (MONDAY, 6TH – WEDNESDAY, 15TH SEPTEMBER)
These assessments will be administered online like the recent HSC Trial Assessments. On Thursday, 2nd September an Online Year Meeting will be conducted to provide crucial information for all students in preparation for the HSC Preliminary Assessment Block. This Assessment Readiness meeting will provide students with the guidelines on how the online assessments will be administered.
TERM 3 YEARS 7 –10 DSE REPORTS
Reporting on student achievement in an online environment provides significant challenges when using the current DSE criteria. Therefore, for the Term 3 DSE Reports, the College has modified the criteria to better reflect the online environment and the engagement by the students. These reports will be emailed to families during the Term 3 holidays.
CELEBRATING R U OK DAY? WITH A SERIES OF PASTORAL ACTIVITIES
On Friday, 3rd September, the College will celebrate R U OK? Day by replacing the regular Day 10 online learning to a pastoral/wellbeing day. Students will be required to attend Homeroom as per Waterford Wednesday timetable. The day will commence with a Father’s Day Liturgy and then proceed to several pastoral activities. The outline of the day will be distributed on Monday, 30th August.
WEDNESDAY, 1ST SEPTEMBER – YEAR 8 2022 LANGUAGE SELECTION MEETING
On Wednesday, 1st September there will be an MS-Teams meeting for our Year 7 students during Waterford Wednesday starting at 8:50am. This meeting will outline information for students who will need to select a language to study next year in Year 8. All Year 7 students are expected to attend online, and information has been emailed out to Year 7 parents today, 25 August.
YEAR 7 – YEAR 10 STUDENT/PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS POSTPONED TO TERM 4
The Year 7 – Year 10 Student/Parent/Teacher Interviews scheduled for this Term have been postponed. The new date for these interviews will be dependent on the restrictions when and if we return in Term 4. We will communicate this alternative date once we are aware of the Term 4 landscape,
FRIDAY, 17TH SEPTEMBER – ONLINE LEARNING FREE DAY
We will conclude the Term with another Online Free Learning Day. This will provide an opportunity for students to complete any outstanding assessment work or general classwork. It will also provide an opportunity for the staff to finalise the DSE Reports and Year 11 HSC Preliminary marking. I hope this day will be beneficial to all, allowing staff, students and families to have a well-deserved break from online teaching and learning.
This continues to be a fluid situation and the College is at the mercy of the advice from the NSW Government, therefore we will continue to reassess our plans and communicate these changes to you as soon as possible.
Once again, thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to respond to COVID-19. We remain committed to supporting the academic and pastoral needs of our students.
Please stay safe and healthy and live Jesus in your hearts, forever.
Mr Michael Ronchetti
College Principal
