Dear Year 12 and Parents/Caregivers,

I am contacting you all further to my letter last week. Over the course of the last few days there has been some changes with regard to our return to school and so I wanted to make sure that all of you were aware and updated. I have also included in this correspondence the DoE direction around COVID Safe protocols at school.

Graduation Assembly and Formal

Some major changes have come across my desk about these two events in the last few days. Secondary schools are not able to hold any graduation assemblies or formals until after December 3. This will mean that our planned graduation assembly for October 29 can no longer take place. I have made a tentative date for Monday December 6. More information on this event will follow once I have it. Further, we are also unable to hold our Formal at Merewether Surf House because under the hospitality restrictions they can only hold events with 140 guest or less. Considering we have over 140 students in Year 12, that we generally have 30 to 40 staff present, and over 100 parents (for canapés), the venue is just not able to cater. Therefore, I am looking at a tentative date of Thursday December 9 for our formal in our MPC as we did in 2020. However, I will meet again with parents and your leaders to discuss other options as I did last term and communicate as appropriate. I understand that what we decide to do won’t be the Merewether Surf House, but I will ensure that you are all given a fitting and special farewell. Again, information on this event will follow as soon as I have it. I apologise sincerely for the inconvenience and the disappointment around these two changes, but I honestly am working as best as I can to support you and to make sure you have the best farewell we can provide.

Return to School Monday October 18 to Friday November 5

This will mean some changes to the initial proposed three week return to school. Please see below

Monday October 18 to Friday October 22 NO CHANGE: During this week we will have normal lessons all week.

Monday October 25 to Friday October 29 CHANGES: During this week we will have lessons on Monday to Wednesday with you all coming to school in your dress up themes and I will provide breakfast for all Year 12 and staff on the Wednesday from 7:30am near the MPC. On Thursday we will organise a fun activity day with no lessons taking place and provide you with a special lunch from Newy Burger Co. This is in lieu of the traditional excursion and an opportunity for all of you to have some much-needed fun as a year group. Information of the activity day and how it will work will follow. We will no longer have our graduation assembly on the Friday, however, I am organising a BBQ for all of Year 12 during the first break and at this event you will be given your reports. I feel that all of you need your reports before December 6, in case you are seeking employment.

Monday November 1 to Friday November 5 NO CHANGE: During this week I have allocated a traditional study week. This means classes will not operate as normal, but your teachers are available and will be in their rooms during your allocated lessons for student support and further revision as appropriate. Please see your specific teachers about this when you return to school.

HSC Examination COVID Protocols

On Thursday October 21, the HSC Presiding Officer, Mrs Dibben and Mr McCord, will brief you all on the COVID Protocols, as well as the general HSC Rules and Regulations during roll call. It is very important that all of you are present at this time.

On returning to school the DoE has mandated that all schools have a plan to try and minimise student interaction on site, therefore, the following protocols need to be implemented. Please have a read and don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions -

1.  Arrival and departure points for students – Where a school has multiple entrance points, we must utilise them in order to spread students. Please take note of the following and utilise the entrance/exit that fits the way you get to and from school. Students arriving on buses enter via Lexington Parade.

Students arriving on foot via Lexington.

Students being dropped off/picked up via Corriston Crescent. Students on bikes/driving via Corriston Crescent.

2.  Playground Areas for the beginning of the day and break times – The DoE has directed schools to minimise cohort interaction in the playground and therefore we have designated areas of the school site to specific year groups. Year 12 will be assigned the SLH, A Block and the picnic tables on Eastside.

3.  Break times and Canteen / Library use – Students will only be able to pre-order items from the canteen from the return to school. There will be no casual buying in the canteen. Once students have ordered their lunch they will pick it up from a designated year group table in the canteen area. The canteen will be sharing information about ordering and the menu by the end of this week. Further, the Library will only be open during break times for students in the Support Unit and Year 12.

4.  Wearing of Face Masks – Masks are to be worn both indoors and out, unless people are eating or drinking. Students need to bring their own masks to school, however, there will be a small supply to support those families who are unable to obtain them.

Thank you to all of you Year 12 and the community for your continuing patience and understanding during this time. As a school we are so looking forward to having you all back on site from Monday.

Take care,

Mark Snedden

Principal Kotara High School

October 13, 2021