Dorrigo High School

Contact us

P O Box 156

DORRIGO

NSW 2453

Ph: 66572001

Email: dorrigo-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Web: dorrigo-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Term 1 Week 11 Wednesday 8 April 2020

Principal’s Message

As you read this last Bulletin for Term 1 it is a

stark contrast to the first Bulletin at the

beginning of the term. In the first few weeks we

welcomed Year 7, hosted the school swimming

carnival and students were engaged in vibrant

learning experiences. We also welcomed the

new SRC who straight away sought to make a

difference.

Due to COVID-19 there has been

unprecedented change. This has led to new

models of delivery. Online learning and virtual

classes are the cornerstone of this delivery. I

would like to extend my thanks to students and

parents during these challenging times. Can I

also stress that those students who cannot

access these due to band width issues will be

well supported by the school.

I cannot express my thanks enough to the

amazing job that teachers, office staff and

SLSO’s have done in developing work for the

new online platforms. Teachers are spending

long hours developing material and resources

and navigating these new systems. We are very

fortunate to have such a dedicated, flexible and

professional team at Dorrigo High School.

Last week I had a virtual team meeting with Year

11 and Year 12 to discuss the unprecedented

changes. In that meeting we went through the

NESA media release with the message that they

will “get an HSC Certificate this year and it will

facilitate access to university”.

While we are unsure what the next couple of

weeks may bring, at this stage I can inform you

that there will be no change to our school’s

operation at the beginning of Term 2, 2020.

That is:

• we will continue to provide online learning for

all our students.

• our doors will remain open for the children of

essential services personnel.

• we will continue to encourage parents who

are non-essential services employees to keep

their children at home if possible, to alleviate

the risk of COVID-19 infection to our staff and

the students who are, by necessity, at school.

However, if these children must come to

school, they will be warmly welcomed.

• students who attend school will be supported

to engage with the same online learning as

students who are not at school.

• staff will seek to make contact with all stu-

dents each week, to check on their progress

and wellbeing.

Should there be any change to the way our

school will operate at the commencement of

Term 2, I will make contact with you prior to 27

April 2020 via our school website and Facebook

page.

If you have any questions or concerns, please

don’t hesitate to contact me on 66572001.

Wishing you a safe, healthy and relaxing school

holiday break.

Ms Hutton

Mr Glyde preparing for his virtual lessons

To Parents and Students

I hope this finds everyone well and coping in the

current climate. People’s mental and emotional

wellbeing is paramount and there are various

avenues to pursue to stay mentally healthy or

seek help if needed. As the school counsellor, I

am available to chat on the phone for a check-

in, catch-up, lend an ear or discuss strategies to

promote better mental health. How to arrange:

1. Contact the school office and request a catch

up with the school counsellor. Indicate a

preferred time and contact means.

2. The school will inform me and I’ll make

contact.

A great resource is Ms Dawson’s DHS

Wellbeing Google classroom with a range of

positive activities and ideas that promote a

healthy mind.

There is also a link to a list of websites and apps

that have lots of activities.

Easter Eggs Delivered Thursday 2 April, Ms McKell delivered Easter

Egg hampers to residents of the Dorrigo Multi

Purpose Service Centre on behalf of the SRC.

This was only possible due to the wonderful

support shown by the school community

towards the SRC’s Easter Egg donation drive.

Whilst students from the SRC were not

personally able to attend to hand out eggs to

the residents, they were still excited that they

were able to present these hampers.

The SRC wishes to thank everyone who

contributed to this endeavour.

Ms McKell

Great News Dorrigo High School would like to announce the

arrival of twin lambs on the school farm. Mother

and babies are doing well. The twins are both

ewes ie girls. We are looking for names for the

twins. Please forward suggestions to Mr Grace

email: ALLAN.GRACE@det.nsw.edu.au .

Also a huge thank you to Dave Campbell for

shearing our sheep. Dave has very generously

donated his time and hard labour on a number of

occasions to shear the school sheep. We very

much appreciate your support Dave.

If it is outside of school hours and your matter is

urgent please contact any of the following

services:

• www.kidshelpline.com.au 1800551800

• eHeadspace: eheadspace.org.au 1800 650 890

• Mental Health Access Line: 1800 011 511

• Lifeline: 13 11 14

• In the event of an emergency call 000

Keep connected to friends and family, have

some structure and goals for each day, limit idle

and screen time, keep moving and find

something to be grateful for each day.

Regards

Brad Poidevin – School Counsellor

Learning from Home

Thank you to everyone who contributed.

Sophie Ridge

Lincoln Kellett

Milo & Ronny Baff

Star Darley-Brown & assistant

Ben Ridge

Cassandra Cavanagh

The Dickings family working together at home, including Maddison, home from university

Jonah Colburn & Mr Giffin

Jack Dawson-Weatherall

Ms Salisbury putting art material packs

together for students

Learning from

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