We want to remind all parents and carers that students who have symptoms (temperature above 37.5 and/or cough and/or sore throat) need to be tested and provide a copy of a negative result or medical clearance before returning to school. You can find a COVID-19 testing clinic here. Please email admin@avondaleschool.nsw.edu.au with a screen shot of the test result or medical clearance. Thanks for working with us to limit the transmission of the virus in order to keep our students safe and our school open
1 October 2021
Dear Parents and Caregivers
We hope that this school holiday is providing some much-needed relief from online learning, along with opportunities for family fun, albeit in the backyard! Lockdown has certainly helped frame what is most important as we enjoy some simple pleasures but also look forward to the lifting of restrictions over coming weeks. While there is a roadmap back to face-to-face learning on school campus, we still await further announcements of the lifting of stay-at-home orders. In terms of Government announcements, School Principals hear the news at the same time as the public and then work relentlessly to understand, adapt and implement required changes. The following provides current information about school, but we expect more updates over the coming week. As the situation changes, we will communicate further details. Watch for further details about the Uniform Shop.
First 2 Weeks of Term
We currently remain subject to stay-at-home orders at least until October 11, therefore we will begin Term 4 in learning-from-home mode, with only students on campus who cannot learn from home. As the community begins to open up and parents are required to return to work, students on campus will be supervised to complete online learning. During the first two weeks of term, any students who are supervised on campus may wear winter uniform, summer uniform or sports uniform. By Week 3 all students should be in summer uniform.
During this time we are able to bring current Year 12 students on campus for short periods of time to allow for focused exam preparation and wellbeing support. Our prayers and best wishes are with this amazing group of young people as they face a longer-than-expected Term 4. We believe in you!
We anticipate that we will remain under stay-at-home orders until community vaccination reaches 80%. When our LGA comes out of lockdown, we will be able to welcome all students back to school with safety measures in place (Level 3). This includes excluding non-essential adults from campus, keeping cohorts separated, using well-ventilated and outdoor spaces for learning, masks required for all adults and students from Years 7-12 and recommended for Primary students, as well as extensive cleaning.
Week 3 Onwards
The date for a return to school has been brought forward to October 18. Regardless of our lockdown status, we are able to welcome students back to campus from this date. If our LGA remains in lockdown past October 18, we are allowed to reopen in a staged manner under Level 3 Plus regulations. This involves inviting back our students in year groups, starting with our youngest learners and senior students. Other cohorts will be added gradually. Level 3 Plus mandates mask wearing for staff and Secondary students and encourages mask wearing for Primary students We are also required to maintain strict measures to limit mingling between cohorts, along with extensive hygiene measures.
We understand that many families are anxious to have their children back at school as quickly as possible. However, we thank you for continuing to support students to learn from home if possible for the coming weeks. We also understand that some families may be apprehensive about schools reopening, especially with some community transmission in our area. We plan to survey parents over the coming week to better understand your needs and wishes for the remainder of this term. We want to work with families to support the continuity of learning as we transition back to face-to-face learning.
End of Year Events
The great news for our Year 12 students is that after December 1, we can schedule a formal dinner and graduation ceremony for students and their families. We are so excited to be able to celebrate the achievements of our graduating students, albeit later than planned. We also look forward to some form of closing celebrations and events to close the year.
Financial Challenges
We understand that with the COVID-19 restrictions, as well as Government announced closures impacting more of our community, some school families may be experiencing financial hardship or uncertainty about their future capacity to pay school fees. We want you to know that we are not only sensitive to this, but willing to support these families. It is important to us that our families have peace of mind and that we will provide stability for your children.
Whether it be a pause in payments, an extension of time, fee remission, or a combination of these, we are willing to provide some flexibility around fee payments. Whatever it may be, please contact our finance team by emailing accounts@avondaleschool.nsw.edu.au and the appropriate finance team member will respond to assist you.
Please note, we are also extending the Term 4 prompt payment discount date to October 29, 2021 (previously Friday, October 8). We appreciate it could be easily missed and we want to give families that want to take up this discount every opportunity to do so.
Staff Vaccinations
Based on a recent update to the Public Health Order, all school staff across the entire education sector in NSW are required to be fully vaccinated by November 8. While our Schools’ Company is sympathetic to the varying opinions of staff, we are required to comply with this legislation. Our school executive will be working closely with each staff member as we work to ensure that only fully vaccinated staff are on campus by November 8. The vast majority of staff have already received one dose, while a significant number are already fully vaccinated. We know that there are a broad range of views on this topic across our school community and we respect each person’s right to their perspective.
As a school, we want to focus on our core mission: providing each student with the opportunity to know Christ, develop full potential and cultivate a love of learning. This is why we exist.
We are looking forward to seeing our students online next Tuesday, October 5. Thanks for your continued support of learning. While we love connecting online, nothing will be more exciting than having our students all transition back to school from October 18. As we continue to work through the challenges that each student, family and staff member faces, let’s be confident that God is with us.
“So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word.” - Hebrews 10:22-24 (MSG)
Mrs Deb Cooper
Principal
17 September 2021
Dear Parents and Caregivers
As we finish Term 3, I can hear the collective sigh of relief. This has certainly been a challenging term for students, parents and teachers. We are grateful to all of you for working with us, allowing our students to continue to learn and connect during this period of lockdown. We know that for many families this has been a time of great uncertainty as you have navigated health and wellbeing concerns, changing employment circumstances and financial challenges, all while supporting your child’s learning. We are asking you all to put down the schoolwork now, even if you feel your child is not up to date. We all need time and space to rest and feel renewed to engage in learning come Term 4.
What will we expect for Term 4?
While we await news of exactly when our LGA will come out of lockdown, Avondale School has plans in place to transition students safely back to face-to-face learning. We currently remain subject to stay-at-home orders until at least September 30. It is likely that this period will be extended, given that we are seeing daily cases in our local government area. If lockdown is extended beyond September 30, we will begin Term 4 in learning-from-home mode, with only students on campus who cannot learn from home.
What happens when our LGA comes out of lockdown?
When our LGA comes out of lockdown, we will be able to welcome all students back to school with safety measures in place (Level 3). This includes no non-essential adults on campus, keeping cohorts separated, using well-ventilated and outdoor spaces for learning, masks required for all adults and students from Years 7-12, as well as extensive cleaning.
What happens if we remain in lockdown?
If our LGA remains in lockdown past October 25, schools are allowed to reopen in a staged manner under Level 3 Plus regulations. This involves inviting back our students in year groups starting with our youngest learners and senior students. Other cohorts will be added gradually. Level 3 Plus encourages mask wearing for Primary students and requires us to maintain strict measures to limit mingling between cohorts, along with extensive hygiene measures.
When will we know definitely how Term 4 will begin?
While it is likely we will remain in the current mode of learning from home, we expect further announcements in the second week of school holidays. The updated information will allow us to communicate what to expect for the first weeks of Term 4. We expect to be able to communicate with parents no later than Friday, September 30, so please continue to check emails and our school Facebook page.
School Camps
While it is unlikely we will be able to hold the camps that were scheduled for Terms 3 and 4 this year, we are still awaiting further information on what can and cannot proceed this year. We appreciate that our annual camps for Years 5-12 are eagerly anticipated by students as well as being great opportunities for learning. For any camps that cannot proceed in 2021, a decision will be made to either postpone until 2022 or cancel the camp. Where it is not possible to postpone a camp, our intent is to provide a refund to parents for what would have been the cost of the camp, included in fees.
Financial Challenges
We understand that with the COVID-19 restrictions, as well as Government announced closures impacting more of our community, some school families may be experiencing financial hardship or uncertainty about their future capacity to pay school fees. We want you to know that we are not only sensitive to this, but are willing to support these families. It is important to us that our families have peace of mind and that we will provide stability for your children.
Whether it be a pause in payments, an extension of time, fee remission, or a combination of these, we are willing to provide some flexibility around fee payments. Whatever it may be, please contact our finance team by emailing accounts@avondaleschool.nsw.edu.au and the appropriate finance team member will respond to assist you.
Contacting School Staff Over the Holiday Period
We expect that our staff team will take a much-needed break from emails as they recharge and prepare for Term 4. Our Business Office will also be closed during the break. If you need to contact the Business Office regarding fees, please email accounts@avondaleschool.nsw.edu.au. Other enquiries can be emailed to admin@avondaleschool.nsw.edu.au. With offices and school closed, there may be some delay in responding, but we look forward to getting back to you as soon as possible.
From the team here at Avondale School, we wish you a refreshing break from online learning. We hope the school holiday period gives your family the chance to spend some time outdoors and engage in some new adventures, albeit close to home. We also want to encourage you to take this time to reconnect with Jesus, who offers us all the rest we so desperately need.
Come to Me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. Follow My teachings and learn from Me. I am gentle and do not have pride. You will have rest for your souls. For My way of carrying a load is easy and My load is not heavy. - Matthew 11:28-29 NLT
Mrs Deb Cooper
Principal
27 August 2021
Learning from Home
Yesterday the Premier announced that the lockdown in regional NSW will continue until at least September 10. Today it was also announced that students will not return to school in many areas of NSW until October 25, however some LGAs may be brought out of lockdown earlier should community transmission be minimal. When our LGA comes out of lockdown, we will be able to transition students back to school safely. The outlined guidelines will then be brought forward, with our younger students and senior students most likely to be the first groups brought back to school. We await further information from the NSW Government on the details of a return to face-to-face learning.
Given the continuation of learning from home, we are working to further understand how best to continue to support students and families. As we have listened to parents who have reached out to us, we recognise that each family has their own set of challenges. We appreciate that each of you will be worried about your child’s academic, emotional and social development. You may be concerned that they are falling behind or that you don’t have the time, skills or patience to help your child learn.
We want to assure you that your child will be OK. Children are far more resilient and adaptable than we realise. When we return to face-to-face learning, our teachers will work to assess students’ learning needs and provide targeted support to get them back on track. We also have plans to support wellbeing and provide extensive social, emotional support as part of their transition back to school.
We want you to know that you are not alone. If you need support with learning from home, please let your child’s teacher know by email. Our teachers, teaching assistants, pastoral care staff and counsellors are all here for your child and your family.
We will be sending out a short survey to help us understand how we can best serve your child at this time. I encourage you to take a few minutes and respond for each of your children so that we have your valued feedback on how we can refine learning to better equip students to grow and learn.
Be kind to yourself! You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Kind regards
Deb Cooper
Principal
15 August 2021
Welcome to a new week of learning from home. You are in our thoughts and prayers. You would have no doubt heard the update from the weekend, which puts the whole of NSW in a lockdown until at least 20 August.
Please note the following, which relate specifically to learning from home:
Once again, thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate through these challenging times.
Mrs Debra Cooper
Principal
12 August 2021
Dear School Families
Based on the Premier's announcement of continued stay-at-home orders for our region for the coming week, we are making plans for continued learning from home. We know that learning remotely can be extremely difficult for students, parents and staff, but I am confident that we can fine-tune learning for each student as we settle into the rhythms of learning from home.
Here is an update of school operations based on current restrictions:
I am incredibly proud of the speed with which our team has been able to pivot to learning from home mode. We are fortunate to have excellent technology resources, platforms and staff to support this process. We will continue to listen to feedback from students and parents as we refine our processes over coming days and weeks. Thank you for all that you are doing to support our children. Please communicate with us if your child or your family requires further support. We’re here for you.
Kind regards
Deb Cooper
Principal
5 August 2021
Dear Parents and Carers
From 5.00pm today, our Local Government Area (LGA) is going into lockdown. This places our school on Level 4 restrictions until 5.00pm, 12 August (pending any extension). 😞
This means:
We understand that you may not have an option for your child to learn from home and, therefore, school will remain open for supervision. Students who have to be on campus will be supervised to complete the same learning activities as their peers who are learning from home.
On Friday, 6 August, our teachers will focus on preparing online learning activities for next week. Some basic learning activities may be accessible via Landscape or through workbooks that will be sent home today. However, students may essentially use tomorrow as a catch-up day for assignments and homework.
More extensive learning activities will be available from Monday next week. There will be further communication to support parents with supervision of learning and to arrange for the collection of required learning materials and devices.
We understand the high level of anxiety that this can create for our community, with the uncertainty of changing restrictions, along with cases of COVID in our local area. Our team here at Avondale are working hard to provide continuity of learning as best as possible. Thanks for your patience and for working with us to provide nurture and support to our students through this time. 🙏
Mrs Deb Cooper
Principal
13 July 2021
Dear Parents and Carergivers,
The current outbreak of COVID-19 in NSW has resulted in Level 2 Restrictions for our Local Government Area. Information is being updated regularly, however, we understand that you may be feeling a bit anxious to know what to expect as your children and young people return to campus for Term 3.
The Delta variant has higher rates of transmissibility and presents greater risks to children and teenagers. Our goal is to still provide students with great experiences and learning opportunities as we can, while continuing to keep our students and staff as safe as possible.
So what does school look like at Level 2 Restrictions?
All students can come to school
All students are expected to be learning at school unless they present a risk to other students and staff. Students who live on the Central Coast or have visited or holidayed in the Greater Sydney area can come to school as long as:
Students who are unwell
Students should not attend school if unwell, even with mild symptoms of COVID-19. Any person with any COVID-19 type symptoms will be sent home and cannot return to school unless:
In circumstances where children or staff have other medical reasons for recurrent symptoms, a letter from their GP is sufficient to negate the requirement for a negative test.
Learning from Home
Because we expect all students to be at school, unless they are unwell or isolating, comprehensive online learning will NOT be available. However, if your child needs to be at home and is well enough to learn, basic outlines of work will be available.
Masks
Staff are required to wear masks indoors when in close proximity to students and colleagues. Secondary students are strongly encouraged to wear masks indoors for their own protection and for the protection of their peers. Secondary students are also required to wear masks on buses. Students need to provide their own mask.
Masks or face coverings are not required to be worn by a student who has a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, that makes wearing a mask unsuitable. For example, if they have a skin condition, an intellectual disability, autism or trauma, they are not required to wear a mask.
Hygiene and Ventilation
The school will continue to provide hand sanitiser and encourage hand-washing and cough etiquette. We also plan to ensure that learning spaces are kept well-ventilated and that we have students outdoors as much as possible.
Visitors to Campus
Currently parents are not permitted to enter the school campus. We encourage you to stay in your car when dropping students at school and picking them up. Parents who walk to school to pick up students may meet students at either the gate located near the Carline or on the grass area beside the Primary carpark. If parents need to visit a School Office or the Uniform Shop, please wear a mask and check-in by scanning the QR code on the door.
Camps and Excursions
Based on current restrictions, day excursions can occur to local areas, especially if outdoors. Overnight camps are not permitted. We are grateful to have run so many camps and excursions last term and will seek to reschedule or redesign trips should the needs arise.
Parent Teacher Interviews
We are disappointed to announce that we are unable to have parents on campus for interviews this Thursday. Any in-person interviews that have been booked will now automatically become Zoom interviews. You should have received an updated email with your bookings and Zoom links. You are able to log back in and adjust any booking times if need be. School Reports are in the process of being emailed out to you today.
Year 12 Trial Exams
We are aware that changing conditions can bring added stress to our senior students. Caring for them is our top priority. In line with trial periods in other schools, the Trial Exams have been rescheduled to August 9-23. Parents and students have been emailed an updated exam schedule to reflect these changes.
Please be aware that this information may change over coming days or weeks if our level of risk increases, and we will communicate this with you accordingly. Please know that, regardless of restrictions, our doors will stay open to students who cannot learn from home. We are your community and we will work with you to support our students as we once again face the uncertainty of rapid changes.
24 June 2021
Dear Parents and Carergivers,
In light of the emerging COVID outbreak in Sydney and the Central Coast, the following restrictions have been implemented here at Avondale School:
This means anyone who has been in the Sydney, Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour or Central Coast areas must wear a mask anywhere within NSW.
You must wear a face mask:
You must also wear a mask at a COVID-safe outdoor gathering or controlled outdoor public gathering. It is an offence for anyone found not to be wearing a mask in the listed settings.
Masks can be removed when in a School and/or Early Education facility. Full list of marks rules can be found here.
We are hopeful that the current situation will be resolved by the start of Term 3 and pray that you are all safe during this time.
Kind regards
Deb Cooper
Principal
Type on the line above then press the Enter/Return key to submit a new search query