Colo HS Operational Thursday 7 April

Dear Parents and Carers, 

I would like to start by acknowledging our community and the support they have shown over the last two weeks. We have always wanted our students back in the classroom, where the best learning happens. Our priority is always to ensure that students receive face-to-face learning in a safe environment. I want to assure our community that I have done everything I could to get our students back as quickly as possible. As outlined in the letter from School Infrastructure, the remediation of the school was far bigger than we initially anticipated. I have worked day, night and weekends to prioritise Colo High School students, staff and community. 

I am very excited to inform everyone that Colo High School students from Years 7-12, will all return onsite from Thursday 7th April – Friday 8th April. We wanted to end the term with all students back at our school before the holidays and have done everything possible to make this work. Unfortunately, there will still be buildings closed and students accessing different classrooms, however, we will be back and engaging in face-to-face learning across the school. All classrooms the students and staff will enter have been deemed safe and cleared by the independent hygienist. 

On Thursday, we will provide students with a free BBQ lunch to show our support and also give students the opportunity to catch up, reconnect and end the term in a positive way. 

I would like to thank our teaching staff who continued to deliver online lessons over the last week. They have gone above and beyond to try and ensure there is continuity of learning for our students. 

I am sorry this term has been a challenge for our students, parents and staff. It is not the term we anticipated but I continue to admire the strength of the Hawkesbury community and hope the remainder of 2022 is positive and less eventful. I am looking forward to leading the school again in Term 2 and hopeful we can have our parents on site for some whole-school events. I am very much looking forward to meeting you all and having the opportunity to share in your ideas and thoughts of ways we can continue to improve this incredible school. 

Thank you for your continued support and I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable vacation period. Stay safe and don’t hesitate to contact me personally if you have any questions or concerns. 

Regards, 

Tara Cullen 

(R/ Principal)