Good Afternoon
Happy New Year.
Happy New year to all of our Chinese community members! This new Lunar year is the Year of the Ox.
The date of the Chinese New Year is determined by the lunar calendar: the holiday falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice on December 21. Thus, each time the New Year in China falls on different dates of the usual Gregorian calendar, between January 21 and February 20.
Mid-term Break.
Today starts our Mid-term break. This time last year one of the main themes at the Nadur and many other carnivals was COVID-19. Little did we know then that this year it would be COVID-19 that would be laughing. We are all affected in one way or another by the virus, it might be someone sick, having to stay in quarantine but in many instances it is the underlying, almost sleeping, anxiety that we all, to one degree or another, are affected by.
The message is clear, ‘NO to parties!’. We can see the finish line; we can get on top of this virus. It is as much about what YOU/WE do as individuals, the choices we make over this break, as the different programmes and advice we hear from Public Health authorities, GPs, and the distribution of vaccines.
Stay ‘Sane and Safe’, always but especially over the coming days.
The passage of time and full circle.
College today was the most protected location in all of the country! It seems that the heroes of the past have returned. We had Transformers, Super Mario (did he ever go away?), the Tin Man, Flash, several Ninjas, a scattering of princesses, and some new characters that frankly made think I have to watch more contemporary children’s programmes. Well done to all of our heroes and the costume crews behind them. My favourite was one, that took me back to my own youth, (we didn’t have superheroes then …) was the white sheet over a head with two holes cut out for eyes resulting in … a ghost!
Public Health (PH) support and Tracing.
Every week at 14.30 on a Friday, the Independent Schools Association, of which SEC is a member, along with Church schools, MUT, the Ministry of Education, IFE and members of MEDE meet with the Director of Public Health, Professor Gauci. At these meetings we receive the latest information on the current situation as it pertains to schools. We also express our concerns, make suggestions and exchange views.
PH are also proactive in providing us with the latest updates in any changes in protocols, support packs, videos and general material that will help us combat the virus.
As I keep saying, we are all writing the rule book during these unprecedented times. Well done to PH and their untiring efforts!
N. Mac an Bhaird