17 Sep 2021
Dear Parents / Caregivers
The end of Term 3 has been a busy one for our school and others throughout the state. We’re happy to say that together we made it through what has been a constantly changing and sometimes difficult term. We could not have done it without the commitment of all our families who supported learning from home, and from our fantastic teaching and school staff. I want to thank you all for your efforts to continue to keep our school community safe – I know everyone has faced different challenges at different times through the term.
I hope everyone enjoys a break over the holidays and is looking forward to the COVID-safe return to school sites that we are planning for in Term 4. Please read through the following updates before the start of the school holidays and don’t hesitate to ask questions or reach out for support.
Return to school roadmap for Term 4
Schools in LGAs that are no longer operating under stay-at-home rules will move to Level 3 operations and a full return of all students with reduced mingling and on-site activities. Masks will be required on site for all staff and students Year 7 and above, indoors and outdoors.
In Term 4, where stay-at-home rules are still in place but high community vaccination and low transmission conditions are met, students will return to school in a staggered approach for prioritised cohorts, with no mingling or on-site activities.
Order of return under staggered approach where we remain under stay-at-home rules
Students will return to face-to-face learning with NSW Health-approved COVID-safe Level 3 plus settings on school sites in the following order:
From 25 October 2021 (Week 4): Year 12
From 1 November 2021 (Week 5): Year 11
From 8 November 2021 (Week 6): Years 7, 8, 9 and 10
The return to school roadmap is subject to change depending on new information expected through the Public Health Order and additional advice from NSW Health.
HSC
Congratulations to our Year 12 students! You’ve nearly made it to the end of a unique and very tough year. Your resilience and work ethic through this time are to be admired.
The official last day for Year 12 is this Friday, 17 September 2021, however students will be supported up until their exams.
(For Level 3 schools) From the beginning of Term 4, Year 12/HSC students can continue to attend school for revision and learning, wellbeing support and to have access to their teachers.
(For Level 4 schools) From the beginning of Term 4, Year 12/HSC students can continue to attend school for revision and learning, wellbeing support and to have access to their teachers in a limited way.
We’d like to remind our students and families that from 25 October, all Year 12 and HSC students will have access to school campuses and their teachers. This will support them in the lead up to their exams.
HSC exams will proceed for all students from 9 November 2021 in a COVID-safe way, in line with NSW Health advice.
What will Term 4 Weeks 1-3 look like for Year 12 students?
- Participation in class Zoom / MS Teams will be optional for students
- Students can undertake practice exams
- Continuation of Learning documents will be provided to provide structured revision
- Feedback on written tasks will be given
What will Term 4 Weeks 4-5 look like for Year 12 students?
- Year 12 students will return Week 4, 25 October, and follow existing timetabled classes
- Week 5 is a designated study week. Students have flexibility to attend regular timetabled classes, study from home or use the school library to continue preparing for the HSC
Vaccinations for students aged 12 years and over
Young people aged 12 years and over are now also eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. You can book in your children for Pfizer now, or Moderna from Monday, 20 September.
Vaccination appointments are available at more than 3,000 locations across NSW, including GPs and pharmacies. More appointments will become available as supply increases, so keep checking for new appointments in coming weeks.
Immunisations
We have had correspondence from NSW Health to inform us that the follow up vaccinations for Year 7 will not occur this year. We will advise families next term with the revised dates for 2022. This will also affect Year 10 students who missed the first round of meningococcal vaccinations in Term 2 2021. Year 10 students will have their meningococcal vaccinations rescheduled for 2022; alternatively parents can organise this vaccination with their family GP.
Learning from Home
Students will still be provided with relevant Continuation of Learning documents for the period of time that they are required to learn from home. This information will be available through both TJHS website, email and Sentral Parent Portal, Day 1 Term 4.
Staffing Changes
We are farewelling three members of staff this term. Mrs Graham, who is retiring, Mr Cavallaro, who will take up a new Head Teacher appointment at another school, and Mr Moodie who has accepted a permanent position at another school. The tremendous contributions to student learning and wellbeing that have been made by Mrs Graham, Mr Cavallaro and Mr Moodie will see them greatly missed and we wish them the very best in the future.
We will be welcoming new staff in Term 4, Ms Todd and Ms Sethi, who will be replacing Mrs Graham and Mr Cavallaro.
We are also looking forward to Mr Coleman returning from leave at the beginning of Term 4.
Thank you again for your understanding and support. We hope you and your family enjoy a safe and very well-deserved break over the holidays. Please take some time over the break to check out our wellbeing resources for students and families. You’ll find useful tools for mental health and Term 4 preparation. Please do not hesitate to reach out if we can do anything to help you and your children to prepare for Term 4 or if you have any concerns about the return to school.
We will be in touch again soon with further information and any updates for you and your children.
Kind regards
NICOLE WASER, Relieving Principal