10 Sep 2021
Dear Year 12 and Parents/Caregivers of Year 12,
I wanted to contact you all before the end of term and after my zoom catchup with all of Year 12 last week, and subsequent email that day. Obviously, since this correspondence I have had quite a few questions around the important aspects of the end of Year 12. Even though, at this stage, we are not in position to give you any further solid planning or direction I wanted to just talk you through where we are at this point.
Return of HSC Trial Examinations
All HSC trial examination papers will be available for students to pick up from the school from Tuesday next week (September 14), till Thursday (September 16), 9:00-2:00pm each day. Student papers have been placed in envelopes and students can collect them in one bundle after signing for them in the Senior Learning Hub. There will be a staff member there to help and talk with any students who need support. If students have any concerns with marks awarded, they will need to contact their classroom teacher by the Friday of next week (September 17). I understand that at times marks may be miscalculated and I want to make sure that we are supporting students who have concerns or questions around this. I would like to acknowledge the administration staff for putting these bundles together in such a tight turn around with so many papers to collate.
Return to Face to Face / HSC Beginning Date November 9
At this stage there is no change to our current model of return to face to face, which is still October 25 at writing and the HSC beginning date of November 9. What I want to emphasise again, beyond this, is that classes for Year 12 will continue after the end of this term, remotely, until the October 25 return to school. If people have any questions about this please contact me or Mr McCord at the school.
Graduation Assembly / End of School Events / Formal
As we all know the traditional end to Year 12 have been completely disrupted this year under the health order restrictions. It would be premature to start planning any amended events until we have direction around the state coming out of lock down and DoE advice, however, in the meantime, I would like to invite any interested parent to a zoom meeting next Tuesday (September 14) at 1:30pm to discuss any suggestions that you may have. All suggestions will be considered and decisions made when we receive further direction and advice as stated. Year 12 have also been approached for their input, and I will look at suggestions and possibilities from both angles. I really don’t want to leave any stone unturned and ensure that I have given everyone the opportunity for input. The zoom link is below, please make sure that you have an account for zoom prior to the meeting otherwise it isn’t possible for you to enter the platform. The link to open an account is as follows -
https://explore.zoom.us/docs/en-us/freesignup.html
The zoom meeting link for Tuesday September 14 at 1:30pm is as follows –
https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/63306297716?pwd=OTJmVmVqVXptQUkrbmxQK1ZhU1k5UT09
Thank you again for all your patience and the support of your children and the school. I know that I have said this several times, but it has been a very difficult Year 12 for all students, staff, and parents. Please make sure that you reach out and contact me, Mr McCord, Mrs Shields, Mr Goldsmith or Mr Shephard if you have any questions.
Take care,
Mark Snedden
Principal Kotara High School
September 10, 2021