Residential Manager

We are so pleased that our students have returned!   Our working day at the college was very quiet and a bit sad without all students and boarders and their noisy scrub bird sounds and smiling faces.  I personally have missed our young people and was so pleased when the restrictions were lifted and they could return. 

Unfortunately, we are restricted in offering some extracurricular activities, but we are doing our very best to keep everyone safe and happy.   We hope that there will be further lifting of restrictions and very soon we can get out and about in small groups.  We have been planning to do some day walks along the Bibbulman Track, riding along the Munda Biddi and climbing in the Porongorups, Stirling Ranges and Mount Frankland National Park which is the centre of the wilderness.  From the top of Mount Frankland, you have a 360 degree view of the Walpole Wilderness.  The forests, wetlands and heathlands below are home to many unique plants and animals. All of these activities will provide some wonderful opportunities for the students to do some things that they otherwise may not. The Aboriginal name for Mount Frankland is Caldyanup. 

Important Information Regarding Leave

Boarding students will be able to return home for weekends with approval of the Principal. The intent is to reduce the number of occasions students leave the College site and interact with adults in order to reduce the chances of bringing COVID 19 back to the residence. 

·         We will only approve weekend leave to allow a student to return to their family home.  We are not prepared to have multiple nominated families for a student because it increases the risk of contamination.  

·         It is imperative that parents and host families manage student movements over the weekend to ensure physical distancing and correct hygiene. 

·         Weekend leave booking arrangements must be completed by Wednesday of each week. Please enter your leave requests into REACH with as much detail as possible.

REACH APP Features

• Create leave events
• View and Manage Leave Events
• Sign in and out of school campus
• Manage Hosts
• Personal Leave Calendar

SPEAKUP! App – Anonymous reporting

Powered by information technologists with over 40 years’ experience in hardware and software solutions, Speak UP!® is an international company that provides schools an opportunity to prevent the abuse and bullying that takes place on and off the internet.

When students anonymously report incidents through the web or phone app, they are not only helping the innocent victims of bullying and cyberbullying but they are also empowering themselves by standing up for others and for themselves. It is compulsory that all students have the app on their phone.  All students will have access to the app.

WHY IT WORKS….

Students can report an incident when:

• They don’t want other students to know they are reporting
• They don’t feel comfortable talking to an adult about the incident
• They don’t know which adult to talk to
• There isn’t an adult available
• They want to report the incident anonymously

Tutoring and Homework Help

There is a Facebook group that you can join to access local tutor information.  Please contact the College if you would like more information regarding this.

Laundry

Our laundry staff have made a request that students take their clothing to the laundry in small lots every day rather than accumulating their washing.  This is now more important than ever for students to have their clothing laundered in the commercial machines.  Our domestic laundries have been temporarily closed.

Second hand clothing is available in the laundry.  Check with Carol or Mel, our laundry ladies, if you need to change sizes of clothing before buying anything new.  We welcome donations of the college uniform (in good condition) as students leave the College. 

Clothing without name tags will be displayed on the table for collection when the laundry is staffed, otherwise it will be packed away until the following shift.  A record of lost clothing is kept in the laundry.  If students have lost an item of clothing, please report it to the laundry staff.

College Uniforms

There are second hand uniforms available in the laundry and via our Facebook group WACoA Denmark – Buy and Sell – Second-hand uniforms 

Health and Wellbeing

The College continues to provide support to students requiring doctors and other health related appointments. Where possible these appointments are made outside of school hours to minimise disruption to the school program. For any follow up appointments with specialists the College asks parents and carers, where possible, to make these during school holidays.  Please contact the College if your child has any medical imaging needs before appointments are made in Albany.  When students are ill in residence the College will provide immediate care and will arrange necessary medical appointments. To minimise the spread of illness all students who are unwell are required to remain in their rooms, eat after all other students and minimise contact with other students until recovered. If students are unable to participate in the learning program for more than one day the College will contact families to discuss alternative care arrangements.

School Nurse

Paula Stretton is our school nurse and will be on campus on Tuesday and Thursday morning. Please contact the College if you would like more information regarding appointments. There is a message from Paula on the Notice Board page at the end of this newsletter.

School Psychologist

Brigid Bolton is our Provisionally Registered School Psychologist for 2020; Brigid will be on campus on Tuesday and every second Thursday for students who would like to make an appointment.  Brigid can help students with strategies for settling into boarding life, managing relationships, study habits and exam stress.  We would like to encourage students to use this valuable service. Parents can contact Brigid on a Wednesday at the College.

Denmark Youth Outreach Worker - Andrew Talmage

Denmark Youth Outreach (DYO) is a free, outreach support service for young people 12 to 18 years of age, operating three days per week. The service is accessible for young people and their families who reside within the Shire of Denmark. The service provides early intervention and support to young people to prevent and address crisis, those experiencing a difficult transition through adolescence and needing additional support. Young people can be assisted with mentoring, relationships and information to assist in managing their health and wellbeing. DYO provides advocacy, referrals and support to access specialist services, including AYSA homelessness services. 

This service is a case management, client centred and trauma informed approach which has the ability to complement existing supports being provided to a young person. Referrals to DYO are accepted through DSHS via the Student Services Coordinator or directly from individuals/families, partner agencies, health related services and youth related organisations.   Andrew will be working three days per week in Denmark and can be contacted via email, denmark.outreach@aysa.org.au or on mobile  0419 247 161.

Travel Arrangements for Home Weekend and End of Term

The College will organise travel arrangements (bus tickets) for the home weekend and end of term. Please advise the school or your child of the travel arrangements for the home weekend.  The College books outward travel for home weekend and the end of Term 2. The return ticket is booked by the parent/guardian and must be booked to arrive early afternoon preferably into Denmark. Late arrival in Albany will incur a pick up fee by the College of $100. All other travel arrangements throughout the term are to be arranged by the parent/guardian.

Vehicle Forms

Prior to any student vehicle/motor cycle being brought to the College please ensure all forms are completed and up-to-date and that any vehicle or motorbike that comes on to site has been approved.  Quad bikes will not be approved as part of our recreational motor cycle program.

Medication

Reminder for all parents and students -  we require students to hand in any medication that they have to residential staff. Medication is recorded, stored and administered from the residential office.

Reminders

Weekend Leave – have it in REACH by WEDNESDAY NIGHT…..or no leave can be approved.