Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope you have had a relaxing school holiday and have worked off any Easter egg binges.  The enforced quiet certainly made for a different kind of break. 

On Monday we start Term 2 and will continue with our remote learning program. There will be some adjustments to timetables and lessons, and we will discuss these with the boys in compulsory year level Zoom meetings tomorrow, Friday 24 April.  Parents are very welcome to join those sessions.  Meeting details were emailed to the boys earlier this week but are also listed below.

As well as the year group meetings, we will run an open question time for parents and boys via Zoom tomorrow from 12.30pm – 3.30pm.  Mr Driver, Mr Quinane and I will be available to answer any questions boys or parents might have and you can enter this meeting any time over the 3 hours to ask your questions. The meeting can be accessed here.

When remote learning recommences for the boys on Monday 27 April, we will continue to provide supervision for students who need to come to school, however as was the case last term, parents are encouraged to keep their son/s at home if possible.  Students who do come to school must check in upon arrival with the nurse in Centenary Hall. They will be allocated a safe space where they can engage with their remote learning program.

As we foreshadowed in the emaiI I sent to you Monday, the NSW Government has announced a phased return to face-to-face schooling from May 11. We have continued to work on a plan that ensures each student has at least one day at school.  Measures for physical distancing will be in place to ensure the safety of our teachers and students.  We will continue to refine our plan and communicate the details of what the return to school will look by the end of next week.

Saturday is Anzac Day, an event we traditionally mark with a moving and very special parade at the College. While this is not possible this year, I encourage families to listen to a message from Year 12 student and Newington Cadets Under Officer Sam Lydon about what Anzac Day means to him. It will be available on the Stanmore Spaces page tomorrow.

I do hope you enjoy the last few days of the school holidays and this beautiful autumn weather. It will be wonderful to have our boys physically back on campus and we are hopeful their presence will build as the spread of coronavirus continues to follow a downward trajectory.