PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

                

Mr Nicholas Adamou

Principal

Key Dates

Wednesday

2 September

Curriculum Day

Pupil Free Day

Friday 18 September

End of Term 3

Pupils finish at 1:30 pm

Wednesday

7 October

 GAT Exam

Covid-19 and Remote and Flexible Learning 2.0

We continue to live and experience an incredibly different world from six months ago. It has changed the way we work, study, think and live. Things have changed so dramatically in what seems to be such a short period of time. 

 

It has already been three weeks since we moved back to the Remote and Flexible Learning 2.0. NGSC is back to delivering the curriculum online in virtual classrooms. We are operating our normal timetable where teachers deliver their timetable classes online.

 

Once again, the school community has very smoothly transitioned back to remote and flexible learning, demonstrating a great degree of resilience and commitment by students, teachers and parents. This has been achieved, in a very short period of time. The feedback I have recently received from parents, students and staff confirms the exceptional effort by all of the provision of the best possible learning outcomes during this second lockdown. To the many parents, students and staff who took the time to provide us with feedback, I thank you. I always welcome and value feedback, as it provides me and my administration with guidance on the best course of action to be taken to ensure the school is travelling on the right path, especially during these very trying times. 

 

As the Principal of such an outstanding school community, I want to reassure you that the health, wellbeing and safety of students and staff remains front of mind. I also wish to report that we continue to run a quality remote education program (curriculum and extracurricular programs) for all of our students. The staff have built on their previous remote experiences and also have completed a great deal of preparation and professional learning, ensuring they were ready for the challenges brought on by the second round of remote and flexible learning and their virtual classrooms. 

 

Thank you to all staff, teaching and non-teaching for their dedication and commitment they have shown in this ever-evolving environment. Of course with everything new there will always be a number of unforeseen situations and teething problems, however, the Principal Team together with the school’s Leadership Team work hard providing guidance and possible solutions to problems or concerns presented in a timely manner.

 

Congratulations to our students, I could not be more proud of them. For the second time they have risen to the occasion, adhering to our school values, they have transitioned to the virtual classrooms very smoothly. I am aware that most of our students are missing the school environment, their friends and teachers, however, they have been amazing in returning back to the online learning and Google classrooms. As responsible young adults they are fully aware of the current circumstances we all found ourselves in. Our students are facing these pandemic challenges with the utmost respect and patience and I thank them for that. I am positive that the situation will improve soon and all students will be able to return to school. Until then, I ask all students to continue applying themselves and to strive for the best outcomes possible.

 

Also, a big thank you to all the parents/carers for their understanding, flexibility and care in transitioning back to the remote and flexible learning model. The school would not have been able to do this so successfully without the great parental support. 

 

We have already learnt so much through this adversity and I know we will all continue to learn and grow. I don’t believe school will ever really be the same when we eventually do return back on-site again. These challenging times demand that all of us be patient, stay calm and follow the advice by the Chief Medical Officer and the Victorian Government.

During the Remote and Flexible Learning period – Operating Model

Home provision

  • The parent or carer is responsible for students’ general safety at home or elsewhere.
  • Students and parents/families are provided with clear information about the delivery of remote and flexible learning by NGSC (During the remote and flexible period the teachers deliver the normal timetable online through Google platform).
  • For students with a disability, students in out-of-home care and Koorie students, schools and the parents/carers should continue to work together via the Student Support Group (maintaining a current Individual Education Plan (IEP)) to identify and plan responses for areas of need.

Home and on-site learning programs

  • The learning program delivered on-site is the same as the learning program delivered to students undertaking remote learning.

Access to teaching and learning resources for students at home

  • For students who do not have access to digital technologies at home, the school will loan existing devices. Please contact the school if you need a device and access to the internet.
  • The school is also able to provide hard copies of learning resources in the event of an internet outage or in cases where it is not possible for students to have any digital access.
  • The school adheres to and follows e-safety policies and procedures.

Health and safety measures for on-site learning and supervision

 

The school follows the Safety Management Plan for COVID-19 (COVIDSafe Plan) which outlines the key OHS risks and links to the latest guidance.

 

Temperature checks

  • In order to support community awareness of the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) and to help identify children displaying symptoms, NGSC undertakes temperature screening of students participating in the on-site supervision program while the stay at home restrictions are in place.
  • All on-site staff and visitors also undertake temperature screening.

Face coverings in schools

  • All school-based staff must wear face coverings at school, and when travelling to and from school.
  • All students are required to wear a face covering.
  • Some students and staff are exempt from these requirements. This includes students who are over the age of 12 and are unable to wear a face covering due to the nature of their disability. This also includes students or staff who have a medical condition, such as problems with their breathing, a serious skin condition on the face, a disability or a mental health condition.
  • Parents/carers are required to wear face coverings whenever they leave the house, including for school drop off and pick up. If they are travelling in a car alone, or only with members of their household, they do not need to wear a mask.
  • School staff are required to wear additional PPE as per the Department guidance for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in education.

NGSC displays information and signage at school entrances and in communal areas such as staff rooms as reminders for staff and students to wear face coverings.

 

Other health and safety measures

  • Hand sanitiser is available at entry points to classrooms and education is provided on hand hygiene.
  • Hygiene products such as; Glen 20, gloves and alcohol wipes are also provided at the school.
  • Playground equipment can be used by students. However, students should practise hand hygiene before and after use.
  • Schools should consider the necessity of using shared equipment at this time. If used, strict hand hygiene should be followed before and after use.
  • Students are expected to bring their own water bottle for use at school as students should not drink directly from drinking fountains at this time. Taps may be used to refill water bottles.

The Department’s Students Using Mobile Phones Policy remains in place. Phones can be turned on with the COVID SAFE app activated immediately before and after school. Schools are managed environments that include records of student, staff and visitor attendance, which can support contact tracing.

Invitation to a webinar for parents and carers to help build family resilience during Covid-19

(Child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg teaches strategies for managing wellbeing)

 

On Tuesday, 25 August, the Department of Education and Training is presenting a free webinar for parents and carers by renowned child psychologist, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, on building family resilience during coronavirus (COVID-19).

 

Parents and carers play a vital role in helping children feel safe through uncertain times.

Dr Carr-Gregg’s webinar is aptly named Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era.

 

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

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

Dr Carr-Gregg’s presentation will run for 45 minutes. This will be followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer session in which parents and carers can ask Dr Carr-Gregg questions.

 

Webinar details

When: Tuesday 25 August

Time: 7:30 pm

Duration: 45-minute presentation followed by 15-minute questions and answers session

Format: online via Webex

Cost: free

How to register

To register and for more information visit the Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era eventbrite page.

Donation of Golf Clubs

On behalf of the NGSC community I would sincerely like to thank a lovely lady, named Jenny, and her husband for their kind donation of a set of golf clubs, together with a bag, buggy and even a golf umbrella. 

 

These clubs are a great addition to the school’s repertoire of sports equipment and will come in very handy when the students are able to return to school face to face learning, resuming their normal sporting activities. In the past VCAL teacher, Mr Luke Scott has taken VCAL students to the golf course promoting fitness and wellbeing through sport as part the PDS classes, teaching new skills, physical and mental health through fitness. 

 

It is through kind donations such as this, that support the school to provide a wide range of experiences to our students and we are extremely grateful for such generosity. Once again, thank you.

Message from Barwon Health

Worried you might have been in contact with someone who has COVID? Get tested at Corio Community Health Centre at Corio Village Monday 17/8 to Wednesday 19/8 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. No appointment required if you are aged 14 – 24 years. 

 

Testing is available to those who have symptoms at the following Location:

 

Norlane: Barwon Health North (near the library) - Ongoing 

155 Princes Highway,

Norlane

7 days

Drive thru 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Appointments can be made on (03) 4215 4445