Update from the Principal

Dear Parents, I trust you and your family are doing well.

This update provides a summary of how Northside is approaching the beginning of the 2022 academic year, given health advice, government announcements, and taking into account our specific school circumstances.

We recognise that the spreading pandemic will require us to navigate the potential of illness, uncertainty and a significant variation to our normal beginning of year rhythms and routines.

Please also take advantage of all the following newsletter sections, designed to help you and your family get ready for the year ahead.

Government Announcement

On Sunday 9 January, the Queensland Government announced a delay to the commencement of the 2022 academic year.

Key Issues for the Commencement of the Academic Year

The College Leadership met to review the details of this announcement, and to plan the most appropriate manner to commence the academic year at Northside Christian College, taking into account our specific school circumstances.

Some of the key issues considered include:

• A reasonable number of staff and students may be unwell as a result of the Omicron virus
• Staff, students and families are seeking initial touchpoints between the College and families
• An effective model to commence teaching and learning for Senior students is required
• A small number of vulnerable students, and children of essential workers, will require supervision on campus by our non-teaching staff
• Customised approaches are required to suit the context of each sub-school

As a result, the following staffing changes have been put in place:

• Our Staff Professional Development Week program, commencing 17 January, will now function remotely.
• College Staff are being encouraged to work from home wherever practically possible between 17 January and 4 February.

Northside Commencement Dates of Classes

• Prep to Year 10 classes will commence on Monday 7 February
• Year 11 classes will commence remote learning Monday 31 January
• Year 12 classes will commence remote learning Monday 24 January (Note: the significance of Year 12 has been prioritised for students)

College Dates

1.  To ensure clarity in our planning and communications, the existing week numbers on the College Calendar will continue:

• Week 1 commences Monday 24 January
• Week 2 commences Monday 31 January
• Week 3 commences Monday 7 February (we hope students may be able to return to campus at this date)

2. The College intends to maintain the published end of year dates on the College Calendar.

Focus of the first two weeks of term

• As Year 12 students begin remote learning on Monday 24 January, and Year 11 begin remote learning on Monday 31 January, the College is very committed to engaging with Prep to Year 10 students before they also begin classes on Monday 7 February.
• During Week 2 teaching staff will intentionally provide P-10 families with touchpoints of engagement between staff and students as follows.
• Junior School Focus – Connection & Relationship development.
• Middle School/Year 10 Focus – Orientation, Induction and Pastoral Care.

Arrangements for Vulnerable Students and Children of Essential Workers

A vulnerable student is a student who is at-risk of harm if they remain home during this time. Children of essential workers are children of someone who provides essential services and who is unable to work from home. Categories of employment include: Health, emergency services, resource sector, power/utilities, agriculture/fisheries, freight/logistics, public transport, education, essential retail (supermarkets etc) manufacturing, distribution and supply chains (food, petrol, etc).

During the first two weeks of term, the College will provide a supervised space for vulnerable students, or children of essential workers. Supervision will be undertaken by non-teaching staff of the College.

A Google form is available here, seeking an indication of students who will be on campus during these two weeks.

Changes to Planned Events

Events planned for the first part of Term One will be either cancelled, postponed, or a decision still to be confirmed, as a result of the delayed start to the academic year.

22 January - Prep Playdate - Postponed
25 January - Commencement Service - Cancelled
1 February - Middle and Senior School Information Evening - Postponed
3 February - Secondary Swimming Carnival - TBC
7 February - Junior School Information Evening - Postponed

Family Administration Day

• Year 8-12 students can collect laptops and text books next week on Wednesday 19 – Friday 21 January. Year 7 students can collect laptops and text books on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 January. We ask that parents remain in cars and that only Secondary students (wearing masks) collect their laptops (C Block) and textbooks (Secondary Library). Note: Laptops cannot be collected without completed forms, available in the 'Student Devices' section below.
   
• Uniform shop appointments can still be booked via the link below in the newsletter. Remember that online ordering is also available via Flexischools.
   
• Junior School families are not required to attend the Family Administration Day. As we get closer to 7 February we will update Junior School families on the next steps to help students begin to learn, whether that be on campus or remote learning.
   
• Class lists are scheduled to be published via Parent Lounge Friday 21 January. They will not be displayed anywhere on campus.

Operational Changes

· The College Bus routes will not operate from 24 January - 4 February.
· The College Café will be closed 24 January - 4 February.

Love and prayers,

Leighton Kuss
College Principal

Action Required - Important Parent Lounge Updates for 2022

1. Medical Updates
All student medical details need to be verified for 2022. This can be done through Parent Lounge → Student Details → Medical Details (ensure you verify for each student, and upload action plans/documentation where necessary). (Click here for a tutorial)

2. Address Updates
This can be done through Parent Lounge → Parent Details → Address Details → Update Address

3. Review and update employment details (MCEECDYA details)
The information needs to be correct and up to date for compliance reporting purposes made during the year (MCEECDYA Details refers to your current occupation group). This can be done through Parent Lounge>>Student Details>>General Details – scroll down to MCEECDYA Details>>Update