Independent school principals around the state have been given the opportunity to grill the NSW chief health officer, Dr Kerry Chant, on COVID-19 advise this week, as schools move to implement further restrictions.
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The hour-long Zoom meeting on Wednesday evening was attended by more than 200 heads of schools, including Wagga Christian College's Phillip Wilson.
Mr Wilson told The Daily Advertiser he had attended the meeting to seek further clarity on advice regarding the gathering of year groups, sporting events, end-of-year celebrations and music lessons.
But, Mr Wilson said, the meeting with Dr Chant did not leave him with any further understanding, but rather questioning why "what's been allowed in society hasn't been reflected in schools".
"I was appreciative of Chant's time to hear our frustrations, a lot of them have been shared frustrations around the state," Mr Wilson said.
"We desire to respect the rules the government has set out, we just keep asking for clarity and from what I can see, there still is a lot of contradictions in sport, music, formals, graduations, [and] what's allowed with the mixing of student year groups."
Of the greatest concern to many senior school principals in the meeting was the likelihood of hosting year 12 formals and graduations this year, following the state school's blanket cancellation of these events in term 3.
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Principals described the cancellations as "arbitrary", "Draconian" and impacting on the morale of the graduating class.
Dr Chant answered these concerns by describing the measures as a "temporary pause" aimed at stemming any possible outbreak ahead of the HSC exams
Additionally, Dr Chant explained her hopes that more favourable conditions will allow for these events in term 4.
The principals further expressed concerns that the goalposts keep shifting on their plans to reschedule events.
They say it is "setting up students for more disappointments" by saying the formals and graduations may be given the green light after their exams.
In response, Dr Chant committed to set up another meeting next week to determine if independent schools will be able to implement a COVID-safe approach to end-of-year events.
With regards to sporting tournaments, Dr Chant requested that schools make an effort to keep outdoor gatherings small and limit any travel beyond the immediate region.
But music ensembles became another heated topic for the school principals, who pushed for further clarity on which instruments were allowed in the current environment.
On August 17, the Department of Education issued a remit to say that "wind" instruments would not be permitted, along with any singing or chanting in groups.
But the coalition of independent principals questioned what constituted "wind" instruments.
Chief medical epidemiologist Michelle Cretikos fielded the question indicating a lot of clusters of the virus had been linked to singing groups in the past.
Dr Cretikos said the state was willing to be flexible on musical instruments, allowing solo singing and some wind instruments were ventilation and distance provide a necessary buffer between other performers and audiences.
Flute players, Dr Cretikos said, would require a three-metre distance from other performers to maintain safe control. But it was not her opinion that brass instruments would pose a significant risk.
For all other musicians, Dr Cretikos recommended the standard 1.5-metre distance, particularly in enclosed spaces.
While the discussion did not shine any further light onto the day-to-day running of his school, Mr Wilson told The Daily Advertiser he was confident the community would continue to be a safe environment.
"As far as our school goes, we'll apply the measures and work with the community to do what's right, but it's a long road," Mr Wilson said.
"I'm glad there was a chance for the politicians to hear directly from schools."