NGSC Newsletter

ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS’ REPORT

Paul Dawson, Bradley Headlam &  Julie Andrews

Assistant Principals

 

Here we are again! We are back into the Remote Learning program and we will be learning this way for another six weeks or so. 

 

It is important that:

  • You look after your own health - physical and mental health
  • You help your family to do the same; encourage your family members to do activities together - regular home tasks like learning, cleaning, cooking as well as new and different activities, perhaps board games, exercise as permitted, working in the garden growing vegetables or flowers
  • You maintain hand hygiene - regular washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or using hand sanitiser
  • Remember to clean your mobile phone and device screens daily
  • Students - keep up with your learning tasks, ask for help if needed, be organised with your approach to learning and the materials/equipment you need
  • You contact the school if you need assistance

Here are some websites that might be helpful:

  • Balancing screen time during home learning

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/learning/Pages/home-learning-screentime-wellbeing.aspx

  • General Department of Education information for parents

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/Pages/default.aspx

  • Online safety for parents and children including cyberbullying prevention and engaging safely with online news

https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/blog/covid-19-online-safety-kit-for-parents-and-carers

  • Student well-being resources - check our new Student Wellbeing Page in this newsletter  and website for a comprehensive collection of information for parents and students

https://ngsc.vic.edu.au/student-wellbeing/

  • Keep checking on NGSC Compass newsfeed and NGSC Facebook for information about webinars or links to helpful websites to help navigate parenting, learning from home, etc. during this time.

If you experience feelings of doubt make sure that you are speaking to someone (e.g. parent/carer, adult relative, social worker, Wellbeing team at NGSC).

 

Your first step might be to check your self-talk. See photo below. 

School Bus transport during Remote Learning

Regional and rural bus services (McHarry’s) and the local school bus service (CDC) will continue to operate during the remote learning period. 

2021 Pathways 

Students in Years 9-11 have been involved in a modified pathways program impacted by the Pandemic. In some ways the process of producing subject choices for 2021 has been even better than previous years. It is a credit to Mr Koullas and his team for maintaining the program in uncertain circumstances. Switching to remote learning in the middle of the program was a challenge easily overcome and we appreciate the support parents have provided their children in helping them identify appropriate pathways for their child’s future. Obviously, issues may present themselves, but with the additional support from Mrs Perin and Mr Humphries in careers hereafter, we will be well placed to provide assistance wherever possible.

 

In order to follow up and check subjects, students/parents/carers can contact:

  • Mr Koullas
  • Mr Humphries
  • Mrs Perin
  • Mr Headlam
  • Mr Dawson
  • Mr Hill

Or any of the Year Level Coordinators.

 

In week 10, Mr Humphries and Mr Headlam will liaise with some of the students to check they are continuing or starting to meet the requirements of their required pathway for 2021.

Remote learning on and offsite

We all felt it coming and wondered when it would be announced and when it did, the turn around time was limited. It really highlighted to us, however, that the effort students and staff went to with the previous remote learning was outstanding. Staff and students have hit their iPads swiping (is that the modern equivalent of hit the ground running???). 

 

The details around onsite learning have changed a little but essentially it is important to note the rules/guidelines with being onsite are in line with ensuring we continue to minimise the chance of transmission. So students who can work from home should, unless their parents are in a permitted work scenario and cannot supervise their children. Every other precaution is taken at the school to enable proper sensitisation and includes:

  • Temperature checks in the morning (students sent home if temperatures are greater than 37.5)
  • Hand sanitiser available in every classroom and encouraged
  • Students allocated their own desk appropriately distanced from other students
  • All people onsite are to wear masks at all times
  • Frequent cleaning of high touch surfaces

Students are supervised by Education Support Staff and replacement teachers so that class teachers can continue teaching. In the event students are doing a PE lesson they are permitted to be in the front school yard independently but are not allowed to use any other equipment or facilities.

Teacher absence

Please note that in the event the teacher is unwell and unable to conduct a lesson the students will be notified, work will be provided by Google classroom or an email and the class will be deleted off Compass for that period. In that instance students are expected to complete the work independently.

Reports

The Semester Reports for VCE students will be released to parents via Compass on Monday, 24 August. The next Progress Reports will be for all students and released on the same day, but will be modified to cater for the current circumstances of remote learning.