Thank you for your support as we navigate these extraordinary times together. Your words of encouragement and gratitude are affirming as we continue to put in place plans and measures to ensure the health and safety of students, staff and the School community, whilst also maintaining the continuity of the NGS experience for those students who are absent.
We know you have a lot of questions about the future, and we will continue to keep you updated. Currently, the advice from NSW Health, the Government and our professional organisation, the Association of Independent Schools (AISNSW) is that it is safe and important for schools to remain open. We agree with this, particularly given the high number of our School community who work in the Healthcare sector. Indeed, we feel a particular responsibility to support the frontline workers in this current climate. We feel strongly that we can put in place the appropriate precautionary measures to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Here is an update on what we are doing across both campuses:
Classrooms and Learning Spaces
Large Gatherings
Music
Playground
Canteen
With the increasing difficulty of sourcing supplies, as of next week, the canteen will only take orders for recess and lunch made through Flexi Schools.
Students will be able to collect their orders from designated locations.
Library and After School Care
While we encourage any student who can, to go home directly after school, we do understand that this is not possible for some families. Please be assured that these important services will remain open for as long as possible.
Co-Curricular Activities and School Events
Co-Curricular activities are an important part of the School’s philosophy. This programme provides students with an opportunity to engage in enjoyable activities, particularly important in the current context. Therefore, where possible we want this programme to continue for our students.
Parents and students will be notified of any changes to Co-Curricular activities and School Events.
As you can imagine, this is taking a long time as we work with both providers and venues to sort these out and make new plans and re-schedule events.
Visitors
Online Learning
Whilst we are committed to keeping the School open for as long as possible, following NSW Health and Government advice and direction, we are planning for the possibility that we may need to move to an online learning environment.
We are currently using SchoolBox to deliver lessons for students who aren’t able to attend school in Years 7-12. K-6 families have been sent age appropriate work, mixed with activities on Schoolbox for our older primary students.
We are also trialing a full online learning platform for our Secondary students. Mrs Peterson, our Director of Learning and Teaching will keep you updated on this.
Self-Isolation and Quarantine
Communication
During a time like this, we know you want to be kept updated regularly and you are concerned for the health, wellbeing and learning of your children. We will continue to keep you apprised of our response to the evolving situation.
We also ask that you direct your communication to the appropriate person:
Primary:
Wellbeing, Co-Curricular, Travel Notifications: Mr Daniel Wearne – Daniel.Wearne@ngs.nsw.edu.au
Teaching and Learning: Amy Falconer – Amy.Falconer@ngs.nsw.edu.au
Secondary:
Wellbeing, Co-Curricular, Travel Notifications: Alan Parsons – Alan.Parsons@ngs.nsw.edu.au
Teaching and Learning: Lisa Peterson – Lisa.Peterson@ngs.nsw.edu.au
HSC Assessment: Philip Fielden – Philip.Fielden@ngsw.nsw.edu.au
The teaching staff are doing an amazing job to ensure the continuity of learning is maintained, delivering lessons for the classroom and SchoolBox as well as planning lessons for the possibility of moving to online learning. Never before have staff had to manage three different modes of delivery in one day and I sincerely thank them for their professional dedication and understanding of the difficult position we are in. Please respect our staff during this time and trust that they will provide work for your child. We ask that you refrain from emailing teachers directly and increasing the burden on them. To streamline communications, please use the emails above.
Again, we are grateful for your understanding in the age of COVID-19 and thank you as we work together to ensure the health and wellbeing of our School community, and the continuity of learning for our students.