A note from Mr Jackson
As we enter the familiar landscape of ‘Remote Learning’ I think it is important to remind ourselves that while we may be isolated physically I hope that the programs and relationships that tie our school together never leave us in remote places. This week, phone calls, online conferences, as well as emails, have connected us and reminded us we continue to hold each other close. In an extraordinary way, our actions to isolate are underpinned by a close and connected community.
As we shape our Home Learning experiences, the Department of Education has defined a learning period of approximately 3.0 to 3.5 hours each day. We recognise that there are many complex and often competing demands on home and work balances at this time that require significant flexibility. Different families organise themselves in different ways. For this reason, students will be marked present using a range of measures including interactions with morning questions, attendance at Webex classes, emails and phone calls.
Into the coming weeks I encourage you to contact your child’s classroom teacher if you have any concerns or feedback to how remote learning is unfolding.
Changes at Rosanna Primary
As we embark on the next period of Home Learning a range of changes have been instituted. This includes temperature testing and, more recently, the wearing of masks. The details of temperature testing are described in the COVID-19 RPS Guidelines I published on Compass on Monday. Concerning face masks, students who attend primary school for on-site supervision will not be required to wear a face covering, although they may choose to wear one.
One of the biggest differences during this remote learning period is that staff are required to be onsite to ensure the appropriate supervision of students and functioning of the school. As this has been achieved, I have asked staff to work remotely as much as possible. As a result, teachers in the following areas will have limited interaction with students and parents online during the day they are supporting students onsite.
• Monday – 4/5/6 Teaching Team
• Tuesday – Specialist Teachers
• Wednesday – 2/3/4 Teaching Team
• Thursday –1/2 Teaching Team
• Friday – Prep Teaching Team
Although some things have changed our eagerness to ensure the health and safety of all remains central. Some of the practices that will continue to keep us all safe are;
• Regular hand washing and hand sanitising is promoted
• Social distancing by parents at the gates during pickup and drop off times and by staff throughout the day continues
• Masks have been recently introduced and while teachers do not need them when they are working with students, they are required to wear them when they are not engaged with teaching and learning face to face
• Deeper rolling cleaning continues throughout the day to ensure tables and chairs, high touch points are cleaned throughout the day
• Temperature testing of all students prior to coming onsite
• Our playground is closed to the public after school hours and on the weekends.
• Limited access to our site continues. Parents are not permitted onsite unless they have authorisation by the principal. Literal kilograms have been shed by the office team as they travel to and fro from the top gate to pick up forgotten drink bottles, forms, and school resources. With limited staff onsite we have installed a large letter and parcel drop box for such eventualities.
RPSTV Assembly
Don’t miss out this week at 2:45pm rather than 3:00pm. This week we look forward to celebrating our Students of the Week as well as some special awards to our ES Team who have supported us.
Students are encouraged to wear a shirt of their hours colour and gain some points for their house (eg. Green Grevillea, Blue Gum, Red Waratah, Gold Wattle). Every person will score ten points to start their house's points tally for the week. Spread the news! Here is the meeting information also found on the newsfeed.
• Meeting link:
https://eduvic.webex.com/eduvic/j.php?MTID=m3ce53806955946bdd83160c040ed3994
• Meeting number: 165 817 5622
• Password: 69p9qYbccu7
Resources Rollout
Thanks for all those who visited Friday to gather headphones, books and personal items, Monday to collect technology, Home Learning Packs, Take Home Book Packs in the morning and afternoon as well as today for anyone who missed out. This is particularly appreciated as we are all trying to ensure the health and safety of our community.
Cancellations
The most recent shift to stage 3 restrictions and the shift to Home Learning has meant a range of events and experiences have been cancelled. In many ways, these events have shaped who we are and so cancelling them has been a difficult decision. The most recent cancellations include;
• Concert planned for term 4. This term a great deal of rehearsals would have taken place. While staff explored a range of options the uncertainty of the days ahead meant that we had to leave the concert for this year.
• A planned Curriculum Day on the 14th August will be postponed until term four. We had planned to focus on Indigenous cultural education and meta cognition, but with limited access to schools we were forced to postpone. A new date will be planned for term 4.
• The Life Education Van and the Adolescent Development sessions planned for our senior students has been been cancelled.
We are still holding fast to our Graduation date for the Year 6 students in December. If we are unable to meet at Loyola College we are confident alternative experiences will celebrate the transition from Years 6 to Year 7 in style.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Thanks to teachers and parents and many students who didn’t let COVID-19 get in the way and met for student interviews. While a face to face meeting would have been usual at this time of year, the use of phones enabled technology tangle free communications. Many students shared their Deeper Learning Goals. One of the significant indicators for success for Home Learning during Term 2 was the collaboration between parents, students and teachers. It was great to make the first day of Home Learning with a conversation around student progress and the days ahead. Thanks again for all who visited telephonically.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Garden Opening
Some significant work has taken place in our STEM Garden and Lower Playground Area this year. To mark the valuable contribution from families, organisations and the Australian Government we are holding a celebratory opening on Friday 21 August. While we can’t play in the sandpit or construct on the synthetic turf, we can meet via Webex. This opening will be part of the online RPSTV Assembly.
Onsite Supervision of Students Completing Home Learning
The following students can apply to attend school for on-site supervision as they undertake the home learning program:
• children of parents/carers who cannot make suitable arrangements to supervise children at home, including children of teachers in government schools who are required to return to work on-site
• vulnerable students
• students with disabilities who choose to attend on site
An Application Form is required to be completed and emailed each Thursday prior to the week of attendance by 3:00pm. Upon receipt the application will be considered and confirmation letters sent home by 3:00pm on Friday.
All the best in the coming days as we rediscover the rhythms and routines from Term 2 and shape teaching and learning in authentic and purposeful ways.
Kind Regards,
Jeff Jackson
Principal