Principal’s Update – 21 June 2022

Dear Parents and Carers,

Re: School Closure

• Year 7 on Wednesday 22 June 2022
• Year 11 on Thursday 23 June 2022

Since the commencement of Term 2, the College has been juggling a reduced workforce as a result of COVID, colds and the flu, which are widespread across the community. We are pleased that up until now this term we have managed normal operations with only Year 9 and Year 10 thus far having to be closed for one day each. We acknowledge the teaching staff have continued to be allocated additional classes to cover gaps and have been generous with their time.

However, we have exhausted all contingencies in our efforts to manage the staffing at Coolock and St Mary’s this week. The College has consulted Mercy Education Ltd and Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd and it has been determined that the Year 7 students will be asked to stay at home this Wednesday 22 June and the Year 11 students will be asked to stay at home on Thursday 23 June.

As the College was having difficulty allocating appropriate levels of teaching staff across the College, the decision to preclude one year level at each campus from onsite attendance allows the Year 7 and Year 11 teachers to be reallocated. Students are encouraged to continue with their own personal study. Please understand that online delivery is not currently permitted within the guidelines.

If your child is unable to remain at home, then they may attend the College where their private study will be supervised. There will be no scheduled Year 7 classes on Wednesday 22 June and no scheduled Year 11 classes on Thursday 23 June.

At this stage, all year levels will attend on Friday 24 June, the final day of classes for Term 2. This is a Rug Up Day and students are asked to dress warmly and bring a gold coin donation for Vinnies Winter Appeal. All students will participate in a Whole College Assembly and school will finish one hour early.

Unfortunately, these closures continue to be frequent across all educational sectors. The lack of replacement teachers across the board is a massive issue and we are working hard to ensure normal operations for our students in Term 3

We apologise for this inconvenience and thank you for your support.

Yours sincerely

Brian Turner, Principal