To the St Dominic’s College Community,
I trust you and your family are well. It was refreshing to see the Year 12 students last week as they returned for their HSC Seminars. I look
forward to welcoming all other Year Groups over the course of this week.
I would like to thank the staff who worked with our Year 12 students last week as they continued their learning in readiness for the HSC written exams that commence on the 9th November. To our Year 12 students, I am impressed by your hard work and the support you have shown one another throughout the past four months. Hopefully this support will benefit you throughout the next few weeks and the HSC Examinations.
As we commence our staggered return, I would like to reaffirm the COVID-19 health arrangements that will continue to ensure the wellbeing of our students and the health of our entire community. The following safety measures will remain in effect until there are changes made to the Public Health Order:
- Do not send your son to school if he is unwell
- No parents on site unless a meeting has been arranged. Entry is only through the Front Office on Gascoigne Street.
- we continue to promote COVID-safe practices such as handwashing and keeping hand sanitiser widely available.
- face masks must be worn indoors. Optional outdoors.
- students are encouraged to bring their own sanitiser
- enhanced cleaning practices throughout the site carried out daily
- restrictions to the canteen will take effect once all Year Groups are onsite. We encourage all students to place online orders which can be accessed here
- restrictions to large group gatherings such as assemblies and Year Group meetings
- use of outdoor facilities (where possible) to conduct Year Meetings
- students are to continue to avoid large significant gathering areas e.g. around the Basketball Courts
- social distancing remains in place between students and the College Staff
- directional movement around the College has returned for the first few weeks.
- Parents are permitted to drop-off and pick-up your son(s) however, you must remain in your car.
- The only exceptions to this requirement are when you are picking up a child from Sick Bay or if you have been invited to attend a meeting with a staff member
Most activities for the remainder of the year have either been cancelled or modified to meet the Public Health Orders.
Year 12 Graduation Postponed until Monday, 6th December.
I have written to the Year 12 students and their parents informing them that unfortunately, the Public Health Orders have not changed and as such the College has postponed the Year 12 Graduation until Monday, 6th December. Though we were hopeful that these Health Orders may have been relaxed, once we reached a certain adult vaccination rate, the NSW Government reaffirmed last Friday that no large gatherings will be permitted until December 1. Though disappointing, the College will ensure it appropriately acknowledges and celebrates the 2021 Graduating Class.
As students return to schools, it has become apparent that the possibility of a school closing because of a positive COVID-19 case has increased. A number of schools last week across NSW were closed because of a positive case. St Dominic’s is not immune to the possibility of this happening to our school community, therefore I need to reaffirm that if your son is unwell, that he does not attend school. The College has an Emergency Response Plan in the Event of a Possible Confirmed COVID-19 Case. Please refer to the Emergency Response Plan link. If you are notified of a positive case, please contact the College as soon as possible so that we can deploy our Emergency Response Plan immediately and effectively.
As the status of the Public Health Orders may change based on the ongoing COVID-19 challenges, please be reassured that all decisions made by the College will always consider the safety, care and wellbeing of our students, staff and parents.
Thank you for your continued support of the College and for your understanding during these challenging times. We will continue to keep you updated with any changes and developments.
I look forward to working with your sons throughout the remainder of the Term and encouraging them to achieve their personal best.
Yours sincerely,
Mr M Ronchetti
College Principal
