Principal’s Message | Dr Michael Carroll

Dear members of the Terrace Family,

Welcome to all within the Terrace Family for our belated start to Term 2.  I am sure that all parents, staff and students are pleased to be recommencing the regular routines of teaching and learning.

With all students returning this week, we must  all be sensible and employ good hygiene and safety practices at school.  While the Government has indicated that social distancing is not required for students at school, each of us has a responsibility to ensure that common sense social distancing occurs, despite the challenges this presents on our small campus. To this end, there will be no assemblies until further notice, classroom doors will remain open to alleviate large numbers of students gathering in hallways before and between lessons, and each year level will have designated lunch areas, which will spread the students out more at lunch breaks.

From a hygiene perspective, the College will continue to engage in good hygiene practices, including:

• Hand washing stations situated around the school.
• Soap dispensers in all toilets.
• Use of water bottles only – no bubblers.
• All teachers will have hand sanitiser in their classrooms.
• Additional cleaners engaged during the day to clean ‘high touch’ areas.
• All lunch tables disinfected twice per day.
• All classroom desks disinfected daily.

I would ask that parents reinforce good hygiene practices with your sons, particularly the need for regular washing of their hands during the school day.  I also ask that if your son is not well, particularly with coughing/flu like symptoms, you do not send him to school.

In my letter to families earlier this week, I indicated that with all students returning after five weeks of engagement with the online learning, teachers would need to ascertain how students have engaged with that platform and understand what work has been retained.  Many classes will be undertaking some form of diagnostic testing to determine how well the work presented over the last five weeks has been understood.  Initially, teachers will refrain from introducing too much new content until they have ascertained if any existing work should be reinforced.  

While regular classes have resumed, many other aspects of school remain on hold. The GPS sporting program will occur during Term 3, with all Term 2 and Term 3 activities being conducted during Term 3.  The exact details are yet to be finalised.  All GPS schools are currently working through the logistics of what the Term 3 program may look like.  In the meantime, formal training is not permitted. 

There are a number of changes occurring or being proposed for the remainder of this Term and for Term 3. These changes to our regular program have been largely necessary because of the impacts of COVID–19.   I have outlined some of these changes previously, such as extending Term 2 into Week 10, changes to parent/teacher interview timings etc.  Over the next couple of weeks, I will send a communication to families outlining all the proposed changes for the remainder of Term 2 and Term 3.  These changes summarised in a single communication, rather than in a series of letters, will make it easier for parents to understand the overall changes. I intend to send this communication to all families on Monday 8 June.

This week we see Mrs Rhonda Curry leave Terrace after 17 years of dedicated service to the College.  Rhonda has worked tirelessly in the College’s Print Room, ensuring workbooks are delivered on time to students and producing many of the College’s publications.  We wish Rhonda the very best as she moves into retirement.  Thank you, Rhonda and good luck.

It is wonderful to see the students back at school and the noise and vitality of the College alive again.  I remind all parents that if you require assistance regarding this transition back to school, please contact the relevant staff at the College.

I ask the Terrace Family to please keep in your prayers Mr Frank Fero, father of Peter (Year 12) who is very unwell at the moment.

Finally this week, I do ask that all parents/caregivers exercise a high degree of caution and follow the road safety rules when driving around the streets at drop-off or pick-up time.  This will be critical as we all transition back to school.

Have a great week. 
God Bess.

Dr Michael Carroll
College Principal