Deputy Principal - Academic

REMOTE LEARNING

Understandably, there are worries about the loss of learning time during 2020 and 2021. First, what is the impact from an academic point of view that students are not in the physical place called school? Australia and New Zealand have among the longest school days and school years in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). We have more in-school time compared to Finland, Korea, and Sweden. During natural disasters and lockdowns many school results in academic growth has gone up not down (I do acknowledge that wellbeing, social and emotional growth may be heavily impacted). Why? Because teachers tailored learning more to what students could NOT do, whereas often school is about what teachers think students need, even if students can already do the tasks. It is not the time in class, but what we do in the time we have, that matters.

The home factors that really matter during remote learning include parental involvement, quality family communication and, most of all, parental expectations. The climate of the home for learning matters: high expectations and high levels of communication. Now is the time to support and encourage, working alongside your children as learning partners and keeping their spirits high. 

NAPLAN

According to the DET “Victoria has held the top spot as the highest-performing jurisdiction on seven out of ten measures in the primary school years. Our Year 3 and Year 5 numeracy results were the highest in the country”.

It is with great pride that we congratulate the students that participated in the 2021 NAPLAN. The strong results are a reflection of the hard work our students have applied to their learning, both on campus and during remote learning. Above mean scores were received in all year levels and across almost all of the components when compared to other Victorian Schools. 

I will provide a full review to staff, students and parents in the coming weeks. These results would not have been possible if it were not for the highly skilled, resilient and adaptable teaching staff, learning aides and support staff we have at Good News Lutheran College.

Acknowledgement: Professor John Hattie, various publications and Principals Digest.

INSTRUCTIONS FROM VICTORIAN CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY (VCAA)

I would like to clarify that the decisions we make and communicate to parents/guardians, particularly during lockdown, are based on instructions we receive from VCAA (who work in partnership with the Department of Education and Training and also the Department of Health) and therefore, we will advise parents of any information as soon as it becomes available to us.