Dear Parents and Carers,

I wish to express my appreciation for the remarkable commitment of students, parents and teachers in supporting our Off-Campus-Learning program. I am personally very proud of the united team that is our College community. Thank you to the many parents who have provided positive feedback and insights into their son’s experiences that have allowed us to evolve in ensuring a meaningful continuity of student learning. I also would like to acknowledge the teaching and support staff for their positivity and can-do attitude. Our student online data metrics (google classroom, zoom, wellbeing check-in, TASS) are strong indicators that the boys are currently responding well. To further support students during this time, the College has also introduced Education Perfect, another online tool available to teachers to make learning engaging and effective for students across all year groups.

We are particularly focused on supporting our Year 12 students during this unsettled time. The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) reassures HSC students that arrangements are in place to ensure no student is disadvantaged by COVID restrictions. The Trial HSC Examinations are still scheduled for Monday, 9 August, the NESA COVID Response Committee has today made additional changes to the 2021 HSC timetable to give students certainty in the lead up to performance, practical and written examinations. In line with Health advice, NESA have:

• Extended the hand in date for all major projects by 2 weeks. The hand-in date for Industrial Technology has been extended by 4 weeks
• Rescheduled Drama performance exams to run from 6 to 17 September
• Music performance exams continue as scheduled, running from 30 August to 10 September
• Rescheduled the written exams to begin one week later on 19 October with HSC results out on 17 December.

These changes mean all students have some additional time to prepare for exams or complete their project and still receive their results this year as well as giving students as much clarity as possible so they can focus on their studies, their wellbeing and plans for the future. We will update you with further advice as it comes to hand.

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I am pleased to inform you that the College commenced its staggered air conditioning roll-out during the last school holiday period just prior to lockdown. The C Block classrooms are now fully air-conditioned and ready to go for when students return to campus.

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The 2020 Annual Report for Edmund Rice College is now available. This report reflects on the College’s performance and explains the positive impact of school improvement efforts on student outcomes. The information can be found here

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We offer our condolences and prayers to the Thomson family on the recent loss of Jenny’s mother. May she rest in peace.

Mr Gough
College Principal