We have noticed that early onset of symptoms does not always generate a positive RAT result so go with the symptoms rather than the test result. A PCR is still the most accurate way to be sure whether someone is positive or not.  There are also a lot of seasonal allergies and other flu like illnesses around, some of which are long-lasting.  If in doubt, you should get a clearance from your GP before returning a child to school.

 HSC examinations are now over, and our students handled them well. Year 10 have had exams this week which are a good training run before they enter the HSC years. Like any form of assessment, some practice at how to approach an exam is important and helpful.  There is however, increasing talk about the future of the HSC and the ATAR system as an entry measure for university.  Less than 40% of all first year students at universities, get there because of an ATAR. There are multiple pathways for future study these days, so a poor HSC result does not close the door totally to university study.

 At GPCC, we continue to look at ways to increase the academic results of our students. It is good to know that many of you are raising your expectations for your children because expectations go a long way towards helping a child see the importance of the hard work required to achieve well academically.  I hope that our students get to understand that everything they do should be done to the best of their ability and take pride in working hard.

Continuing formal study is something we encourage our staff to consider. We have a number of staff doing post-graduate work including three of us who are working at doctoral level.  We trust that students can see that learning is for life and at no stage of our lives can we say, we have learnt enough. I encourage you to have conversations with your child about the value of formal study and that you support them even if they find schoolwork challenging.  We do best in anything when we have a good support team behind us.

Phillip Nash

Principal