Dear College families,

Welcome to 2022! A year full of the promise of a return to "normal".

It has been so wonderful to watch students arrive on campus each day this week. There were hugs shared, huge smiles and exuberant greetings and, secondary students expressed awe and wonderment as they explored their new learning spaces. However, what I think was present for all of us, parents, students and staff, was a spirit of gratefulness to be stepping back into the predictable routines of school. After two years of navigating changes to schooling routines, it was freeing to know that this year is much more likely to be predictable.

In the midst of COVID, we learnt lots of lessons about the resilience of children, the multiple ways in which learning can be delivered and, the importance of community. However, the key lesson we have learnt is that nothing beats face-to-face communication; we need it and we were designed for it. Whilst we have been grateful for platforms such as Teams and Zoom to connect with members of our community these could never replace the kinds of connections that are generated through face-to-face interactions.

Recently, I learnt that the word media, used most frequently in the phrase "social media", is the plural form of the Latin word 'medium' meaning 'middle ground or intermediate'. Social media therefore describes the action of putting a medium between ourselves and the person with whom we are trying to connect. Obviously, there are contexts when this is either necessary or just efficient. Certainly, over the last two years, it has been very necessary for the delivery of online learning. But long-term, this is not ideal for the formation of rich connections amongst community members.

With that in mind, we are very much looking forward to being able to connect with parents, face-to-face, in the coming year through a range of events. The first opportunity for this will be on Tuesday, 8 February at Know Your Norwest. I encourage you to come onto campus being mindful of the COVID-safe measures that will be necessary to protect you and other members of our community and meet face-to-face with other parents and carers at the start of this new year.

Felicity Marlow
Principal

Our Primary & Secondary Swimming Carnivals are fast approaching.

Primary (Y3-6): Thursday, 10 February 2022

Permissions for this event have been sent out via email, so be sure to fill this out at your earliest convenience. This includes filling out what events your child wishes to compete in on the day. Please ensure you fill this out with your child present so they are aware of what events they have signed up to. Click here to view the program. This year we are holding a 25 metre novelty event for freestyle, breast stroke and backstroke. These events are purely for participation and will contribute to Norwest Challenge. Only the competition events will be timed on the day of the carnival. Students who are going to the event on the college bus from school will miss the 200 metre intermediate medley. This event will commence at 9am before the busses arrive to the venue.

Parents are allowed to attend the carnival and spectate their children on the day. However, COVID-19 requirements mean parents will have to spectate from an area separate to students. This will be located on the opposite side of the grandstand. Parents will be required to check into the venue using the Service NSW app and wear masks on site. If you or your child is feeling ill on the day of the carnival, please stay home and follow attendance procedures. Any further questions please contact Miss O’Keeffe at [email protected]

Secondary (Y7-12): Wednesday, 16 February 2022

Permission notes will be coming out in the next few days. A copy of the program will also be placed on the school web page. Students will be requested to nominate events prior to the carnival, please be sure you can complete the events entered. These will contribute to the Norwest Challenge. There will also be various novelty events for students to participate in on the day.

Parents are welcome to attend the carnival under COVID-19 guidelines. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering. If you, or anyone from your house is feeling ill on the day, please do not attend, and follow normal absentee procedures.