Dean of Students | Mr Damien Cuddihy
The opportunity to have all the boys together again has been something we have been looking forward to since the end of last term. The last couple of months has reinforced the belief that schools are not so much about old buildings and grandstands, but rather the characters that walk about the corridors day in, day out. It is staff and students that give the place its pulse.
The question beckons…what are we about when we come back to school? As always at the forefront will be student learning. While there are increased cleaning schedules for classrooms and high contact areas throughout the day, teachers carrying hand sanitiser to each class and student ‘pop-up’ hand washing stations in the yards, it is the learning process that needs our focus in the coming week.
Social distancing restrictions do not apply to students at school or while using public transport, but for adults on campus, social distancing remains in place. As such, we ask that parents/caregivers attending the College move directly to Student Services for assistance as required. However, students are expected to maintain social distancing when waiting at the bus stops and train stations after school. May I ask that you remind your sons of this community expectation if they are catching public transport.
What has not changed? Gentlemen of Terrace are always expected to be young men of knowledge, humility and wisdom. For whom much is given, much is also expected. We unashamedly have high expectations in the classroom and the return of students next week needs to reflect this. Let us not forget our Senior leader’s wonderful motto for this year Be the One. Next week, students need to Be the One to transition with a high degree of organisation and purpose. The vast majority of our students have learnt to take greater responsibility for their learning in the last month. Now is the time to capitalise on this when returning to the normal learning process. The College staff will continue to sweat the small stuff and make sure the boys know that they are back at school through clear and consistent boundaries. As has been communicated in the last few weeks, winter uniform and acceptable haircut styles will be high on the list next week for staff.
We are hopeful that co-curricular activities will recommence in some capacity in the coming months. They will take on a different look than normal, but the boys will have the opportunity to kick footballs and play in bands again soon. For students that have concerns about personal wellbeing, our Counselling team are looking forward to connecting with them in the coming weeks. If you have any concerns about the transition back to face to face learning for your sons, please contact your son’s House Dean for support. Finally, the revised State Government guidelines continue to emphasise the importance of schools ensuring that unwell students do not attend school. It specifically states that unwell students are not to attend the school site and the school must ask parents/carers to collect their child from school if they are unwell. Please continue to communicate with Student Services as usual if your son will be absent from school.