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Hunter School of the Performing Arts

Hunter School of the Performing Arts

PERFORMING AT OUR BEST

Telephone02 4952 3355

Emailhuntperfor-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Term 3 2020 update from Jo Gray

Message from Jo Gray

 

Hello Parents and Carers

 

Term three is already flying past – it is difficult to believe we are in week four.

Year 12 have finished their trial HSC, and move straight into the ‘real’ HSC, with dance practicals starting this week.

We wish Year 12 all the best. They have made an incredible effort under difficult circumstances and their teachers are extremely proud of their work.

I am writing to update you on a number of school events and matters still being impacted by COVID.

 

 

Face Masks

The NSW Department of Health has recommended those travelling on public transport to wear a face mask. As many HSPA students use public transport to travel to and from school, families are urged to consider implementing that health advice. We have spoken to students about this at assembly last week and strongly encouraged the wearing of masks on public transport, as the Chief Medical Officer’s advice about this is for people 12 years of age and above.

 

Activities permitted this term

Term 3 has seen a relaxing of some school events. These include:

· Sport and sport competitions

· Inter-school events such as debating, public speaking, performing arts, choirs

· Work experience (after risk-assessment)

· VET work placements and school-based apprenticeships and traineeships

· P&C meetings and parent – teacher meetings, ‘with a strong preference for on-line where possible’

· HSPA will be holding parent teacher meetings via Zoom during Term 3 – dates and details to follow later this week.

 

Live Streaming

The Covid pandemic has impacted the performance opportunities for students that are such a feature of our school’s programme. While these experiences have been extended this term, they have not been able to involve onsite (or off-site) live audiences.

One way ¾ and an increasingly important way ¾ that our school can keep supporting performance opportunities is through live streaming of events. Fortunately, the school has the technology to provide high quality streaming to homes and the technical skills to achieve this have been honed during the period of online learning last term and through live streaming more recently of assemblies and larger performances, such as the wonderful Year 10 music solos concerts held last week.

A result of the increased use of the digital/streaming technology is that staff and students have developed high level skills in these areas, and we are now in a position where we can extend high quality live streaming of school performances in each of the performing arts. While not the same as a ‘live’ on-site audience, performers will add valuable skills to their craft as they play to the cameras and potentially reach an even wider audience.

Thank you for your support through the challenges we are facing as a school and as a society. We are impressed with the way students have been managing, and thank them for the way they continue to support each other with cleaning desks after each class, sanitising and close observation of hand hygiene.

Warm regards,

Jo Gray