What an exciting week this is as we see K-2, and Year 6 students back for face-to-face teaching.  Year 12 are in on Monday for a reunion day and then by arrangement to touch base with teachers for final HSC preparations. The remainder of the students return on Monday 25 October and finally after months of disruption, we will be almost back to normal.

I remind you of the Return to School Roadmap which is on our website under the COVID-19 resources section in News and Events. Parents are still not permitted on site and many activities are limited such as band, ensemble, music tutoring, field trips and camps etc.

Secondary students are required to wear a mask inside and outside unless they are exercising or eating. Some students will have exemptions, and this is allowed under the regulations. Staff are also required to wear their mask inside and outside, but teachers may remove theirs in class if it is necessary to aid clear communication.  Years 7 – 12 students will need to bring their own masks to school. Our experience over this lockdown period of student mask wearing means you need to provide them with at least three per day as masks get dropped, trodden on, covered in food, and misplaced regularly etc.  While we will have spares for emergencies, you will need to make sure you provide your child with what they require. Primary children are not required to wear a mask, but you may wish to have your child wear one – that is fine.

Returning to school is exciting but for some students it will also be a time of anxiety. They have not been at school for months, and they may have grown very attached to you and home and the new routines. Help them prepare for return by talking positively about it. We will be watchful for those who are not coping and take every measure we can to help them adjust. Some of us as adults may be finding the same so be watchful of those around you and understanding of the struggles some will be going through to get back to normal again. We have Parent and Family Wellbeing Resources available on our website to assist you with this. 

We have committed as a school not to make vaccinations and COVID a topic of conversation to ensure we do not fuel disagreement and hurt amongst the community. Respecting someone means allowing them to have a contrary opinion and not doing or saying anything that will hurt them or inflame the situation. We all need to work at this despite our personal views on it. I am reminding staff of this regularly and helping them to modify their approach to this as well.

Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns you have as we manage the return to school: Phillip.nash@gpcc.nsw.edu.au  I am always happy to engage in dialogue with you.

Phillip Nash

Principal