Well what a time we have just been through. The word “ unprecedented”, used widely, certainly sums up what we have been through and even describes where we are now and where we are going to. What has stood out during this time is the absolutely awesome efforts of our staff to provide the best we could for our students and their families. The efforts to learn new technology tricks and to engage our students has been nothing short of incredible. It’s an absolute credit to you as leaders for the support, motivation and guidance you have provided in these tough times.

I’ve seen some great efforts to engage with families during this time such as Nareena Hills Public School in Wollongong

And have heard stories of schools where teachers have driven around the streets just to show their faces and to acknowledge their students.

There is no denying that this has been tough for everyone and it wasn’t made any easier by the Federal Government’s input into the conversation and our state taking a more cautious stand and the managed return that was cut short. But we have moved on under the basis of the AHPPC advice and it was great to see the efforts of schools welcoming back our students on Monday.

To get all of our students back at school has been a huge effort by the Department, more specifically AMU. The logistics to get the supply to schools has been amazing and special thanks need to be made to the team led by Terry Stevens, Erik Maranik and Simone Constant.

Your Executive has been meeting weekly with the Senior Officers of the DoE during this COVID-19 period and providing input and advocacy for our schools on a wide range of issues. The Secretary has had the Secretary of the Department of Transport and Prof Kristine Macartney, Director, National Centre for Immunisation Research & Surveillance (NCIRS) to our meetings to allow further questioning & understanding of what is happening around us. In between meetings Deputy Secretary Murat Dizdar has been in close connection and answering our questions and providing updates. We provided 128 questions we gathered from you prior to our last live stream and expect those that weren’t covered in the guidelines provided would be answered in the FAQs being developed. We have also had conversations with the Minister and Federation to determine the best solutions for schools.

Our Well-Being and that of our staff is so important at this time, so it is important to look after yourselves as we move into yet another phase of COVID. We particularly are concerned for our school communities who have suffered in the drought, floods and/or fires as well as COVID and remind you that Executive Director, Kathy Powzun, is just an email away if she can help. Kathy has been visiting affected schools and providing strong support. Our adopt a school colleagues can probably start thinking again about how they can support their schools now students are back at school.