17 Sep 2020
SCHOOL YEAR EXTENDED FOR YEAR 12
The Department has extended the school year by one week in an attempt to compensate students for lost time during the year for HSC preparation. Year 12 students would normally finish on the last Thursday of Term 3, however this has now been extended by one week which takes them through until Thursday Term 4 Week 1.
Additional HSC study days are being run by staff for selected subjects during the September school holidays. Whilst attendance is voluntary, students are encouraged to make the most of the sessions in which staff are giving up their own time during the holidays.
YEAR 12 GRADUATION ASSEMBLY
We are unable to run our usual Year12 assembly on the last day of school, however secondary students will mark the occasion with a scaled back version in Week 1 next term. Unfortunately parents are unable to attend this assembly due to the COVID restrictions.
YEAR 12 FORMAL
The Department updated advice to schools last week in regard to Year 12 Formals which previously had been cancelled. Farewells can now take place after the HSC exams, from November 12 onwards. Current advice limits attendance at Farewells to Year 12 students and staff, unfortunately parents are not able to attend. Given this advice has just changed we are yet to determine whether a formal under these conditions will take place for Merriwa students.
HSC EXAMS
NESA has issued updated advice to students sitting HSC exams next term with COVID safe protocols. The advice is as follows, if you are sick with flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore/
scratchy throat, shortness of breath, loss of taste or sense of smell) do not attend the exam, get tested and self-isolate. New COVID-19 illness and misadventure application processes have been created for students to follow. Students are encourages to check out the NESA website for more information.
Alternate venues for exams will also be arranged should the school be temporarily closed due to a positive case of COVID.
GOOD NEWS
Whilst all these changes have had a devastating impact on Year 12 celebrations all is not bleak. The P and C have proposed to cater for a special luncheon for Year 12 students in their last week of school. In the spirit of the occasion teaching staff will rise to the challenge and compete in the “student V staff” annual games.