Term 3

I trust you enjoyed some relaxing family activities the first week of the term break, before we returned to stay at home restrictions.

2020 has been a very different and challenging year for everyone.

Whilst in remote and flexible learning 2.0, newsletters will be released fortnightly, the next one being 5th August.

Communications will continue through COMPASS as needed.

Remote and flexible learning

Our disappointment at not seeing all the children at school has been replaced with joy by their impressive attendance on MS Teams.

98% of our students are online with their teachers. Students settled readily into the schedule, prior experience assisting them to focus on the online platform.

Timetables were released before the start of the week to assist parents with organisation.

Specialist programs have their own channels and teachers have allocated times in the timetable.

Parents have reported that the recording of lessons has assisted greatly.

We do acknowledge and empathize with the additional workload and stress remote learning adds to families, but are very grateful for the support you are able to give with your children's learning.

Wearing of facemasks/coverings

Teachers and education support staff will not be required to wear face coverings while teaching, but those who wish to do so, can. Teachers should wear face coverings in other areas of the school when not teaching (for example, in the staffroom, on yard duty and when providing first aid or taking temperatures), and when travelling to and from school.

Students who attend primary school for on-site supervision will not be required to wear a face covering. Students who are aged 12 by Year 6 will not be required to wear face coverings. The Victorian Chief Health Officer has advised that it is not practical to require some primary school students to wear face coverings while others are not required to wear coverings.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

Parent/Teacher interviews have been postponed until the last week of Term 3.

Interviews will be held online through Webex. Information for booking will be given to all parents later in the term.

International Competitions and Assessments ICAS

Due to the current Covid-19 situation in Victoria, UNSW Global Assessments has added a new testing window for the ICAS Assessments. This has been done so that competition dates are not during the remote learning period and will allow schools and families more flexibility and time to prepare during these uncertain times.

Valkstone Primary School has changed our ICAS competition dates to the following dates:

Science – Tuesday 13th October (Term 4 Week 2)

Mathematics– Thursday 15th October (Term 4 Week 2)

English – Tuesday 20th October (Term 4 Week 3)

In order to support these date changes, the Parent Payment System has also been re-opened and dates extended, and will now close on Sunday, 2 August.

If you would like your child to participate in any of the subjects listed above and you have not already signed them up, please visit the online Parent Payment System to make a direct payment to UNSW Global. The Parent Payment System is a simple and secure online payment service specifically for parents to purchase ICAS Assessments. Please note that it is best to access this from a laptop/desktop computer as it does not always work from mobile devices.

The web link is: https://shop.unswglobal.com.au/pages/pps

Our school’s unique access code is: VXX317

Online payment closes Sunday, August 2 and no further payments will be accepted.

IMPORTANT: Please enter your child’s name accurately into the System as this is how it will appear on their ICAS certificate.

Corona Virus

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information can be found on the Department of Education website, which will continue to be updated:

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/department/Pages/coronavirus.aspx

Our chickens - Lizzie and Dark Lord

Our two hens, Lizzie and Dark Lord have been relocated during this period of remote and flexible learning. They have travelled safely to a nearby location and have settled in well.

Bookclub

Bookclub issue 5 is now available on line . Please note that there is currently a $6-00 service fee as the products are delivered to your home address.

Enrolments 2021

All scheduled tours have been cancelled. A virtual tour is on our website.

Enrolment forms and information may be found in the Parent section on the website.

Applications for 2021 are being accepted by e-mail or post.

Valkstone News

Issue 21 · 22 Jul 2020

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