03 Sep 2021
Good afternoon Parents and Caregivers,
I wanted to contact everyone this week on the back of the Education Minister’s announcements last Friday. I have waited till now, as I wanted to await the written direction from the DoE and to be able to look at them in the context of Kotara High School, to provide as much clarity as possible. Before I begin however, I would like to again thank you for your support of your children in remote learning, and your patience and understanding with the school as we navigate lessons online. It has been a difficult time for everyone, keeping families safe and following the health orders of the government as they are presented, so thank you.
Return to School Models
We were given two possible return to school models last week. The first model being a Week 10 Term 3 return, if we are out of lock down, a high percentage of the LGA is vaccinated and that infection rates are below a specific ratio against LGA populations. In light of the current situation I feel that this model is extremely unlikely, however if we receive direction next week that we do return by the end of term, I will communicate with you all immediately. This leaves us with the second model, which is far more likely. This will mean Year 12 return October 25, Year 11 November 1 and the rest of the school November 8. With this in mind, remote learning will continue until these staggered return dates. The restrictions around this return will be communicated closer to the date, as things may change within this time frame. If anyone has any questions around these models please contact me at the school.
Student Online Engagement
Our monitoring process for online student engagement is now in its second week. Staff will now be making contact if your child is not engaging or submitting work. Please, if you have any concerns around communication, either a lack of, or too much, can you please contact me so I can rectify the situation. Further, please make contact with either Classroom Teachers, or Head Teachers, if you feel that work online is not appropriate for your child.
Year 11 Preliminary Reports and Curriculum Adjustments in Term 4
To all Parents/Carers of Year 11 I want to allay concerns around reporting. The report your child will receive for the end of the preliminary course will be as a normal report, despite the final examinations being cancelled. I am mindful that for some students this will be an exit report, therefore, I want to make sure that it is as reliable and authentic as possible. Students have been enquiring about the dropping of courses in Term 4, as per normal HSC procedure. I can assure everyone that this process will remain as it normally does. Mr Kolmajer will oversee this process and communicate with all of Year 11 shortly. Please remember that no subject can be dropped until Week 3 Term 4 and after all paperwork has been completed and processed at school. If you have any questions, please contact Mr Kolmajer at the school.
Year 12 Update
I have sent detailed information via email and social media to all Year 12 Parents and Students directly around the HSC and end of school events.
Staff Planning time for Term 4 online learning
Over the next two weeks, Week 9 and 10, I am providing time for faculties to plan online lessons for Week 1 to 6 Term 4. Before last Friday we had planned lessons for the remainder of Term 3 but were awaiting direction before putting planning in to place for Term 4. Now that we know the time frame for online learning next term, I need to provide staff adequate time to plan appropriate lessons for Years 7 to 12 for this time. This will mean that certain faculties will not be online as per the days below for the last two weeks of term. No lessons in those subject areas will be provided on those days. I am sure everyone can appreciate the time staff have been giving to support all our students this term and will understand the need to provide them release to plan.
Monday 6/9/21 & 13/9/21
English & ALPACA
Tuesday 7/9/21 & 14/9/21
HSIE, TAS, Science & ALPACA
Wednesday 8/9/21 & 15/9/21
Maths & PDHPE
Thursday 9/9/21 & 16/9/21
HSIE, English & TAS
Friday 10/9/21 & 17/9/21
Maths, PDHPE & Science
No Year 12 lessons all day (17/9 only) All faculties
I will be in contact early in Week 10 to outline the online learning arrangement for Term 4 across all year cohorts. As always, take care, stay safe and please contact the school if you have any concerns
Mark Snedden
Principal Kotara High School
Friday September 3, 2021