Dear Parents and Carers,

With the extension of Off-Campus-Learning continuing until August 28, I wish to once again thank all of you for partnering with us during this challenging time. I fully appreciate that while our young people are learning at home, at the same time, each of you continues to balance your work and household family commitments – and that this can be very challenging. I thank you for your support of our College community and the many kind messages. I firmly believe that staying connected with strong communication and supportive relationships is key to ensuring we all come through this period with positivity and hope.

I also want to acknowledge our teachers, who spend enormous amounts of time and effort providing engaging lessons and activities to support our students as they continue to develop and improve. I also thank many of our teachers, counsellors and support staff for continuing to work whilst also balancing their own family commitments in simultaneously homeschooling their young children during this time.

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While our College community could not assemble and celebrate student achievement and sustained effort during our traditional semester assemblies for Years 7-10 students, we instead developed a digital document that celebrates student achievements from last semester. This booklet can be found here: Academic Achievements – Semester 1 2021.

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Earlier today, the Premier announced that all schools in Greater Sydney would not be able to conduct the HSC Trial exams on-site. Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) strongly endorsed this latest news, the peak body that represents Catholic education at both a state and national level. As I have previously stated, the scheduled exams were always dependent on the latest health advice, with our priority being the ongoing safety of our students and staff.  The College will communicate the alternative off-campus assessment/exams at next Tuesday morning’s scheduled Year 12 assembly via zoom. An email was sent to all Year 12 students and parents earlier today.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Mr Gough

Principal

STAFF & STUDENT WELLBEING DURING OFF CAMPUS LEARNING (OCL)

ZOOM FREE DAY – FRIDAY 13 AUGUST

As always, health and wellbeing is at the forefront of our thinking and planning. As per my previous letter of correspondence the OCL Update, to further support the community there will be a Zoom Free Day – 13 August for everyone across Edmund Rice College.

Essentially – all members of the community are encouraged to have a day away from their screens and to take time for themselves. Similar to a pupil free day, there will be no online classes, zoom meetings, google classroom activities or emails requesting the submission of classwork or information. This is a result of the vast majority who have maintained diligence and sustained effort towards learning and in recognition of their online engagement throughout the first half of Term 3, in this OCL environment. 

In continued support of their sustained application and commitment to OCL, each year group for the remaining five weeks of term, will have one rostered ‘Zoom Free Day’ per cycle. The roster for which specific day during Weeks 6-10, will be distributed next week directly to parents/carers and students, after further consultation and advice.

Please stay safe, stay healthy and stay home.

God Bless.

Mr Walsh

Deputy Principal