Dear ,
With concern, we are hearing from many CVA members that schools are calling to request either the cancellation or postponement of school camps booked for the first weeks of term and into the early part of the year. The reasons often stated are that the decision is 'due to advice received from the NSW Department of Education' and said to be from Simone Walker during a principals' webinar.
Let me assure and reassure you that CVA has been in regular communication with the NSW DET regarding the return to school plan, and have received the following confirmation directly from Carolyn Hill, Director, Policy & Stakeholders | COVID-19 Taskforce.
She writes:
"I can confirm that the Department's position on camps has not changed and is still in line with what we've discussed, i.e.
- Camps can go ahead
- Schools are asked to do a risk assessment and consider what suits their local context
I was in the principals webinar last week - what Simone said is that as schools head into Term 1, they will want to consider their priorities in the first four weeks given the local COVID context. (Simone Walker is the Group Deputy Secretary, School Improvement and Education Reform and is the Executive responsible for the COVID-19 Taskforce).
I trust this information assists with your negotiations."
In addition to this, I have heard from one of our NSW members who shared the results of a parent survey undertaken by an Independent School they work with. In a survey of 105 parents, undertaken by the school, they asked whether parents would support the decision to go ahead with school camps. Of the 101 who responded 99 answered 'yes'.
Praying for decision-makers within all schools that this becomes their conviction.
Blessings,
Graeme
