The Delany community
Welcome back to our students!
It was a buzz for everyone at the College to see each other and resume a sense of ‘normal’. Of course, it’s not normal for everyone and we, as a Catholic community, keep those who are affected by this pandemic in our prayers. But our prayers this week are thankfulness for the blessings on and safety of this community.
It was also very pleasing to record 85% of our students attend on Monday of this week. As we all settle back in to routine, please send your children to school!
The academic community
Our focus returns to attendance at school, especially now that online learning has ceased. Staff cannot support both in-class and online modes of teaching, and therefore it is critical that students are present in class to participate, learn and grow.
There will be a challenge for many students to get their brains “back into gear”. The next few weeks will be more difficult for some than others. Some students have not had the opportunity to seamlessly continue their learning at home for a range of reasons; some have missed the social aspects of schooling; some have demonstrated a fabulous effort while others have slacked off. All of us - staff and students - need to return focused, cooperative and willing to work.
There have been a number of changes for HSC students, and we have kept them informed by email of NESA announcements . We will continue this discussion at school. To those parents of Year 12 students I say “Don’t panic!”. Everyone is in the same situation. You have a staff who support, care for and will guide the young women and men of Delany 2020. Do not hesitate to contact teaching staff if you have questions.
Mobile phones - not to be used at school
I spent the first few days of our return talking to and challenging students about their use of mobile phones. Our message is simple: phones are not to be used while at school, neither during classes or during breaks.
When a student uses their phone in class the phone will be confiscated. On the first occasion, the phone will be returned to the student at the end of the day. On further occasions the phone will be returned to a parent (not to the student). “Using the phone” includes:
checking the time
checking messages
using it to access school work
making and receiving call
… and any other explanation you can think of.
Finally, if a student refuses to follow this policy, or refuses to hand over a phone when asked, we will follow the defiance procedure outlined in the College Dignity and Wellbeing policy (which can be found on the College website). In these rare cases, parents will be phoned and asked to come to the College.
Please contact me at the College if you want to discuss this expectation.
St Patrick, pray for us.
Mr Anthony Blomfield
Assistant Principal
