From the Head Master
Not for the first time, the COVID-19 advice has shifted and is requiring the School to modify its plans.
While it has been clear for a couple of weeks that the month of August would involve remote learning for most students in Greater Sydney, the School has been working towards bringing Year 12 back for the Trial Examinations in Week 6 and Week 7. As it happens, it was announced this morning that no trial exams or assessments are allowed to take place onsite; they have to be done remotely.
Consequently, the School is in the middle of a major pivot to online assessment for the Year 12 HSC and IB Diploma. The broad parameters of this have been made known to Year 12 students and parents, but the academic leadership of the School, along with the ICT team, are facing some significant challenges to be ready for the commencement of Trials on 16 August. There should be very little impact on the learning and assessment for students in the other years, other than some lessons where work is to be completed without a video conference element.
As today has unfolded, and various members of the staff have been informed of the changes and come to grips with the number of changes, adaptations and innovations that are required, I have been impressed beyond words with our team’s responses. Recognising that these circumstances are the ones that we have to deal with, and that whinging doesn’t move us forward at all, they have simply knuckled down and got on with it. The resilience and resourcefulness that they are showing is likely to be below the horizon of parents and students, but I do want to briefly shine a spotlight on it.
In the circumstances, I trust that people will forgive a briefer Bulletin column than will normally be the case. However, it would be remiss to close without noting the sterling efforts of our Trinitarians in Tokyo. Rohan Browning and Oliver Hoare have made us very proud during the week, and with Oliver’s final in the 1500 metres and Sam Fricker’s performance in the 10 metre platform diving yet to come (at the time of writing), there is still plenty to look forward to.
May God bless us all during these challenging times.
Detur gloria soli Deo.
Tim Bowden | Head Master
