From the Principal

Term 3

Celebration of remote learning

As we approach the end of Term 3 it is possible to look back over the term and celebrate how far we have come, in what has been the most difficult of terms. With the amazing support of you, our parents, the students have tackled each hurdle with increasing confidence, persevered when the learning got tough and took some time to get outside and exercise, building connections with siblings and parents.

Our teachers too, have been amazing. Working hard to overcome technical challenges, work collaboratively with each other, teach in ways that, although becoming more familiar, is not the same as being face-to-face with students.

Last Friday's whole school assembly was a real celebration of what has been achieved this term, including student-led dance compilation, introduction to 'Spoonville', videos of virtual athletic sports events, individual performances and even some coding activities.

Check out the Art and PE pages for more details of these great activities.

Flourishing Families

Tonight is the final Flourishing Families event for this term. Check details in the Positive Education page of this newsletter for dates.

Trivia Night

After our very successful Bingo Night, Parent's Association are running a Class vs Class Trivia Night next Thursday 17 September at 7:00pm, for the whole family. More details are to follow very soon, see you there.

Return to school planning

With Daniel Andrew's announcements last Sunday the school is busy making plans for the return of students throughout Term 4. As this newsletter goes to air, I am still awaiting written information from the Department of Education with details of the return. However, we do know that Week 1 will be a return to remote learning for all students. Week 2, starting 12 October, we will welcome back our Foundation to Grade 2 students, followed soon after by our Grade 3-6 students in Week 4 if directed by Daniel Andrews. I am currently in conversations with staff, Maroondah City Council crossing supervisor coordinator and our building companies to ensure a safe learning environment for all. More details will be available very soon.

Calendar Dates

Please check the "Dates for Your Diary' page of this iNewsletter to be up to date with events for the remainder of this term, and next.

Curriculum Days

Monday 5 October is a Curriculum Day for all students. This day has been set aside for teachers to move into the new Learning Centre and prepare their classrooms ready for the return of students.

Tuesday 6 October is also a Curriculum Day. This day has been brought forward from the Monday before Melbourne Cup Day to help minimise the interruptions to learning for students when they return. This day will be set aside for Three-Way conferences, an opportunity to reflect and discuss future goals for students.

There will be no remote learning for students on either of these days.

Three-Way Conferences

Next week in the Google Classrooms there will be a slide template for students and parents to use to prepare for the Three-Way Conferences on Tuesday 6 October. The slides are a guide to reflecting on what were the positives and challenges for remote learning and what pieces of work in writing, reading and maths were the students most proud of. Once this reflection slide show is complete, classroom teachers will be in touch to book in a time for either a telephone conversation or a Webex meeting.

Building Update

We have had a very exciting two weeks with the arrival of our new Learning Centre last week. Shared last week at assembly, and below, are photos of the arrival of the thirty pieces of the new building. Each piece coming on thirty semi-trailers that squeezed its way along Panfield Ave and our school driveway, over three days. I have had the opportunity to walk through the building and cannot wait to share new photos with everyone very soon.

Our second building, the new art room, science room and administration was laid out on the factory floor this week and is due for delivery on 19 October, not far away now.

Our second building on the factory floor

Free Resources to build resilient families

The Department of Education is offering a webinar and podcast series to help parents and carers support their children during remote and flexible learning. Check out the details below and sign up for sessions that appeal to you.

Raising Learners podcast

The Department of Education and Training has funded a 10-episode podcast series through the Raising Children Network called ‘Raising Learners’. It features parenting experts from organisations including the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Career Education Association Victoria, as well as the Australian eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant.

Raising Learners provides parents with practical advice, tips and ideas for supporting children’s health, wellbeing and engagement at school and at home. Topics include how to connect with your child’s school and community, how to best support your child’s learning, what to expect for VCE and VCAL students and how to keep your child safe online.

These topics were drawn from common questions that parents raised with the Department’s coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline and Parentline.

The first three episodes were available on 1 September, and the rest throughout terms 3 and 4. Raising Learners can be accessed via podcast apps and Raising Children Network website.

Managing the Coronacoaster webinar

Renowned child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg is back by popular demand to repeat his Coronacoaster webinar.

On 15 September, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg will again present Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era. His first webinar in August booked out in three days, with more than 12,000 registrations.

In this webinar, Dr Carr-Gregg provides tools and strategies for parents and carers to help manage the lockdown period and remote learning. Topics include:

your supportive role
setting the emotional tone
focusing on what you can control
how to deal with disappointment
more resources and where to get help.

Webinar details

When: 7.30pm, Tuesday 15 September

Duration: 45-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer session

Format: online via live stream

Cost: free