05 Oct 2021
BHS Operational Update - Tuesday, 5th October 2021
Year 12 (HSC 2021)
Good evening students, parents, carers and community members,
I just want to clear up some concerns I know some people are worried about as best I can, particularly as they relate to the 2021 Year 12 HSC cohort. Please bear in mind that school operations are very fluid at the moment and subject to frequent and swift amendments as the NSW Dept of Education reacts to changes associated with NSW Health and Public Health Orders.
Year 12 have completed their formal studies and their final day of school was Friday 17th September, the last day of last term.
Local government areas (LGAs) and suburbs of concern operating under Level 4 restrictions will continue learning from home until they are removed from the areas of concern. This still applies to the Lake Macquarie LGA. However, as of today, “Students in Year 12 and those completing their HSC are able to return to school for up to 3 hours a day, up to 5 days a week for revision and study in small study bubble groups. From 18 October, these students will have full-time access to school campuses and their teachers”.
What this will look like on the ground will vary greatly from school to school and is reliant on several factors, not least of which being staff and student vaccinations, student wellbeing and cohort engagement with their on-line learning. What this will look like at BHS I am yet to determine only having started as Relieving Principal today. However, I can assure you that all Year 12 teachers are available on-line during timetabled lessons to provide student feedback, exam preparation and course revision.
I will move promptly in this space and have a clearer picture published to you by Wednesday afternoon at the latest after I have consulted with school executive and teaching staff.
I thank you in advance for your patience and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our incredible staff, our wonderful Belmont community and our fantastic students as we all work together during uncertain and unprecedented times.
On a positive note, some events for Year 12 to look forward to include their Year 12 Graduation Ceremony on Friday, 10th December and their Year 12 Formal to be held at Noah's on the Beach, Newcastle on Tuesday, 14th December. Hopefully by then many of the COVID-19 related restrictions will be lifted so we can send Year 12 off in the fashion in which they deserve.
If you have any further concerns, please contact me at the school on (02) 4945 0600
Take care and stay safe.
Kind regards,
Tony Keevill | Relieving Principal BHS