“It is your reaction to adversity,
not adversity itself,
that determines
how your life’s story will develop”
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Dear Students, Parents and Caregivers,
In the face of adversity, how do you react? As I have been viewing the Paralympians, I have been inspired by individuals because they have responded to their adversity in such a determined manner. These athletes have not been weighed down by their physical disability but rather have used it to inspire themselves and others. As we continue to face our current challenges, let us be inspired by the extraordinary achievements of our Paralympians and all those who live with a disability everyday of their lives.
The current online learning environment and stay-at-home health orders continue into Week 8. This period has seen a significant impact on the delivery of education across all schools in NSW. Our students, teachers, staff and families have shown remarkable resilience and flexibility throughout this period. The pandemic has affected everyone differently, however, there has been some clear learnings and common themes emerging, none more than the need for students to return to school as soon as it is deemed safe for them to do so. It is paramount that we return to face-to-face teaching and learning, as being at school with teachers and peers is crucial for individual wellbeing, as well as the social and emotional formation of all.
The NSW Government announced on Friday, a Roadmap for Schools to Return to Face-to-face Classroom Instruction. The College will work closely with the relevant agencies to develop a return to onsite teaching and learning roadmap that must consider the health and safety of all members. The Roadmap is either through a ‘staged return’ or ‘full return’, depending on NSW Health conditions in their areas. This final point is the vital consideration when staff and students will be permitted back onsite, especially as St Dominic’s is situated in a suburb of concern, living under Level 4 restrictions.
THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS NSW ROADMAP TO RETURN TO FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING TO SUPPORT ST DOMINIC’S ROADMAP
This Roadmap is significantly dependent on what level of restrictions you currently live under. St Dominic’s is operating under Level 4 plus restrictions and therefore will continue learning from home until these restrictions are removed from the areas of concern.
ORDER OF RETURN
I need to stress that students and staff will only return to face-to-face learning with NSW Health-approved COVID-safe settings in place at the College. As of Friday, 27th August, the following order of return was advised:
- Students in Year 12 and those completing their HSC are already able to return in a limited way and this will continue for the remainder of Term 3.
- From 25 October, Year 12 students will have full-time access to school campuses and their teachers.
- From 1 November – Year 11
- From 8 November – 7, 8, 9 and 10
The NSW Health advice is that it is safest for students to return in stages rather than all at once and our roadmap will take this staged approach into consideration as we welcome back our staff and students.
CONDITIONS FOR A STAGED RETURN TO SCHOOL
There will be numerous conditions that will be in place for the safe return of staff and students. These will be communicated when the College is in a position to confirm a return to onsite teaching and learning. This should include information regarding vaccination.
LEARNING DELIVERY
The NSW Government has instructed that school communities must:
- enable learning to be delivered effectively via face-to-face and home-based learning
- facilitate opportunities for ongoing collaboration for staff, while delivering face-to-face and home-based learning.
Therefore, staff and students who are unable to return to school will continue to be supported by the College to teach and learn from home in line with our current Online Learning Guidelines.
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY VACCINATION RATES
The start of the staggered return of students to face-to-face teaching and learning depends upon at least 70 per cent of the State’s eligible adult population being vaccinated. This will be significant in supporting us return to face-to-face teaching and learning.
The Return to Face-to-face Learning Roadmap has provided us with hope that we will be back onsite early Term 4. We will keep the community informed of the roadmap and its implications on our Term 4 events.
HSC WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS RESCHEDULED TO COMMENCE 9TH NOVEMBER
As a response to the NSW Government Roadmap, NESA has rescheduled the commencement of the HSC written examinations. Obviously, this is disappointing for our Year 12 students who have been very resilient in their preparation for these final examinations. The College will develop a specific plan that will support Year 12 students in their ongoing preparation for these examinations.
Once again, I could not be any prouder of our community in the way in which we have supported each other over the course of the Term.
Live Jesus in Our Hearts – Forever
Mr Michael Ronchetti
College Principal
