Welcome to our new school year to all our school community. How exciting it is that we can be onsite and with COVID-Smart measures in place we hope that the school year can proceed in a productive manner. We hope that you have had a peaceful and restful break and have had the opportunity to catch up with family and friends.

This year we have welcomed over 200 new members to our school community. There are 16 new staff members who bring a great diversity and wealth of experience to their roles. We also welcome students in years 8 to 11. Our new 180 Year 7 students have had wonderful first days and we also look forward to getting to know them and enjoying what they can bring to our community.

2021 HSC STUDENTS

We are very pleased with our 2021 HSC students who achieved admirable results having undertaken their HSC studies in very challenging circumstances. They worked with diligence and resilience and are now well-placed to pursue their future careers.

We celebrated their successes at our recognition assembly on Thursday and they shared their study and scholarship skills with the Year 12 and Year 11 students in a forum.

Many of the students also attended a morning tea at the school with staff on Monday 24 January and it was wonderful to share their excitement for their plans for their futures. Our school dux is Finn Hartshorne. He will be undertaking a degree at University of NSW in Chemical Engineering.

HSC ARTWORK EXCELLENCE

A special mention to Lily Thomas-McKnight, recently interviewed by the South Coast Register in relation to her HSC Artwork, a series of seven charcoal portraits exploring connection to her identity and culture.

From 8,440 student works across NSW, Lily's artwork was selected as one of 43 works for display in the 39th annual ARTEXPRESS exhibition.

Click to view the article on Lily's Work 

YEAR 12 LEADERSHIP TEAM

As another school year begins, our 2022 Student Leadership team are prepared to lead and motivate their fellow students. Our students have been featured in the Daily Telegraph's South Coast News on 7 February. Click here to read this article.

COVID SMART 

I would like to acknowledge our office staff who have done a wonderful job in the very hectic task of distributing over 4000 Rapid Antigen Test kits. Thanks to our parents and carers for not only collecting the tests for their child but also ensuring that they assisted in undertaking them. 

We have a layered approach to creating a COVID smart environment. This includes measures such as:

• Wearing masks indoors or when in close proximity to others (surgical masks)
• Personal hygiene with hand washing and sanitising. Sanitisers are in each classroom.
• Ensuring ventilation is adequate in all rooms
• COVID smart risk assessments for school activities

It is essential that we all undertake these measures with focus on not just ensuring our own health but reducing the risk of passing the virus onto others should anyone contract it. 

Students who contact COVID, or have family members who have the virus, are required to self isolate for 7 days before returning to school. It is important to inform the school so that students in that cohort will be informed. Confidentiality should be maintained by everyone as a matter of respect.