We have come to the end of a very demanding term. As a community, we have been presented with many challenges for staff, students and parents alike. Working in partnership, we have been able to minimise some of the impact to our community. The staff have provided an exceptional virtual online learning experience for our students. The committed and dedicated staff of All Saints Grammar ensured our students wellbeing and academic needs were catered for throughout the term. I would like to thank all parents for their positive feedback towards the School and our staff. It is precisely these well thought and timely acknowledgements that reaffirm that what we do is valued by our community.
To date, I am still not in a position to write to you with any certainty about the details surrounding our staggered return in Term 4, we will continue to follow the developments over the next few weeks.
PreKinder will return on Tuesday 5 October of Week 1. Mr. Psomas will inform parents of the drop off and pick arrangements of our youngest prior to their commencement.
The vaccination hub organised by our parish in conjunction with NSW Health will return on the following dates:
- Wednesday 13, Thursday 14, Friday 15 October
- Wednesday 20, Thursday 21, Friday 22 October
- Wednesday 27, Thursday 28, Friday 29 October
For everyone’s peace of mind, the students of PreKinder and Primary will be kept away from the vaccination hub and the people attending for the duration.
I have received numerous emails from parents over the last few weeks in relation to the current NSW Public Health Orders and mandates, particularly surrounding mask wearing and vaccination of staff and students, from a broad range of views. I think it is most important that I make it clear that as an educational organisation we are expected to comply with government mandates, irrespective of what our personal views may be on the matters surrounding COVID-19 and its associated issues. We make every attempt, wherever possible, to adapt and contextualise these directives to ensure they serve the needs of our school community. The scope of what we can do though is limited by government mandates.
What I can assure you, with certainty is the following:
- We will continue to care for your children and treat them with respect.
- Primary students will not be coerced by our staff to wear masks. This is a decision for families.
- The staff will not coerce students to be vaccinated. This is a decision for families.
- Your children will not be discriminated against, if they and their families choose for them not to wear masks or be vaccinated.
- We will do our utmost to shield our students from the current chaos that appears to surround us.
- The school grounds of All Saints Grammar will be a safe haven for your children where they will continue to play, socialise, laugh, learn and grow, irrespective of views, in a safe environment.
- The School has not, and would never organise participation in a program of student vaccination without prior parent consent.
Our biggest challenge as a community to date is that we continue to do our utmost to keep our personal views out of the grounds of All Saints Grammar. It would be a very sad day indeed if this current issue enters our children’s friendship groups, classrooms and our playgrounds. As adults, our primary role is to protect our children and to minimise the impact of the current situation as it continues to unfold.
I know that this term has been hard for all of us and it’s only natural to be feeling sad, anxious and isolated. We have been away from friends, family, school, church, teachers, colleagues for an entire term. It won’t be long before we are all together again. You have shown enormous courage and strength over the term and should be extremely proud – students, teacher and parent alike. Use the next couple of weeks to recharge, stay active, take time away from your screens, and we look forward to welcoming you back early next term to the safe haven of All Saints Grammar. We miss you incredibly. Thank you for your continued support throughout the term.
On a different note, I will write to you early next Term about the Uniform Shop opening dates and times for the purchase of the new summer uniform and any other outstanding uniform items.
Happy Holidays!! Stay safe and well.
Elfa Lillis
Head of School
