13 Aug 2021
Dear Parent and Carers
We have reached the mid-point of Term 3, yet for many, it feels as though we are about to embark on Week 7 or 8! This feeling is shared by many of us, as we have been in lockdown for what is coming up to the seventh week. The school understands that this continues to be a challenging time for families and our wider community as there is no certainty as to when we will return to ‘normal’. I want to thank our students, parents/carers and TJHS Staff for their commitment in working together to provide quality learning experiences in a remote learning environment.
Teaching and Learning
As previously communicated, the school will provide our ‘Continuation of Learning’ programs for the next two-week cycle for Years 7-11 through our normal channels. This will occur early on Monday, 16th August. As always, it will provide an overview of the Activities and Resources required for students to complete their work during this time. Students will use this overview in conjunction with their Google Classrooms to determine what is required.
Due to current health advice we are waiting for more information from the government in regards to a return date for students; the school has begun planning for the necessary changes to Assessment and Reporting for all Year groups.
Assessment and Reporting
This has commenced with the school pivoting the Year 12 Trials from Week 6 to an online Assessment Task commencing in Week 7. Similarly, the school will be using this same approach for the Year 11 Preliminary Exams for Weeks 9-10 of Term 3. Further information regarding this change will be communicated to Year 11 and their families.
The Executive Team is in the process of determining whether adjustments will need to be made to Stage 4 and Stage 5 Assessment and if this is the case, this will be communicated to students and parents in a timely manner.
Year 12 Reports will now be issued to students in Week 2, Term 4. This change of date is aligned with the delay that has occurred to exams throughout Term 3. The students and parents will receive these reports containing valuable feedback prior to the commencement of their HSC.
At this stage all other reporting periods will remain the same, however, based on Government advice, there may be changes similar to the 2020, Semester 1 reports. If students are required to continue to engage in remote learning for an extended period of time, we will look to make changes to the reporting periods. Any changes will be communicated to our community.
Wellbeing Initiative – Thrive Thursday
Due to the success of our TJHS Thrive Thursday, it has been decided that the school will continue with this initiative for Year 7 through to Year 10 once a fortnight. The next Thrive Thursday will be on the 19th August. A day where students take some time out from our Learning from Home program in support of their own Mental Health and Wellbeing. It will be a day dedicated to looking after themselves. It will be a day where no formal work will be scheduled for students to complete. Rather, students will be given the opportunity to:
- Use the day to catch up on work they have not yet completed.
- Participate in ideas/ activities / challenges to promote wellbeing, based on the 5 Pillars of Wellbeing (Social, Physical, Emotional, Cognitive, Spiritual)
Staff will of course be available to students on this day in support of their learning.
Student Representative Council (SRC)
It is at this point in the year that the school commences the SRC Elections for Years 7-11 for 2022. With students remaining at home, the SRC Coordinators and Senior Executive are working towards implementing a plan that will allow this process to occur remotely. More immediate, the school will focus on Year 11 and their applications to become Captains and Prefects for 2022. Year 11 have been invited to attend a Year meeting through their YA Google Classroom with Ms Heagney (Year 11 Year Adviser) and the Senior Executive on Monday, 16th August at 1:20pm to find out more information.
Staffing Update
At the start of the Term, I informed you of some internal changes that would be occurring throughout Term 3 with Mr Coleman on Long Service Leave. As we enter into Week 6, the following staffing changes will occur for the remainder of Term 3.
- Relieving Principal – Ms Waser
- Relieving Deputy Principal (Years 8, 10, 12) – Ms Flower
- Relieving Head Teacher English – Ms McKendrick
- Relieving Year 7 Year Adviser – Ms O’Farrell.
I would like to thank Ms Van Luyt (Relieving DP), Ms Powell (Relieving HT Wellbeing) and Ms Westbrook (Relieving Year 9 Year Adviser) for their commitment and dedication to pick up the extra workload and contribute significantly to our school in this difficult time.
I would also like to thank all the staff along with the parents/carers for their support and guidance offered me as Relieving Principal throughout this extraordinary term.
Please stay safe and connected to your friends and family.
Regards
Dave Stewart, Relieving Principal