From the Principal Class Team

Dear Parents and Guardians

As a staff, we were really looking forward, after the ups and downs of Term 2, to welcoming all of our students back at the start of Term 3, and hoping for a return to normal school life. But, those hopes faded quickly during the holidays as the number of positive COVID cases began to rise again, and the decision was made for Years 7 to 10 to learn online.

Having the Year 11 and 12 students onsite for the first two weeks of term provided a sense of continuity and connection for them – with each other and with their teachers. However, we were also very aware of the increasing anxiety amongst all members of our school community about onsite learning.

The closure of our school last week as a result of a number of positive COVID cases was, of course, unavoidable, and in the best interest of everyone. It was also another disruption, and one that would, in all likelihood have continued to occur into the term with more cases in our school community.

This week’s decision by the Victorian Government to move all Victorian schools to online learning for 6 weeks from Wednesday 5 August is momentous. It is sad, stressful for many, lonely, and challenging. Yet, it seems the best and only option at this stage.

As a school community, we know that we are able to address the many challenges of online learning with creativity and innovation, care for each other, collaboration with families and colleagues, and a strong program of learning, feedback and assessment. These things will continue; but they will be even stronger based on all that we learnt together in Term 2 about what works and what doesn’t work in an online learning and teaching environment.

On behalf of all of us, I wish those members of our school community who have tested positive to COVID a very speedy recovery. We are thinking of you.

Here is a summary of what the changes mean for schools across Melbourne:

Years 7 to 10

• Years 7 to 10 students will continue with remote and flexible learning.
• the criteria for students that can attend on-site has changed as follows:
  • children whose parents are permitted workers. The Victorian Government will provide further advice about this over the coming days
  • vulnerable children in out of home care, children known to child protection and other agencies and children the school identifies as vulnerable
  • children with a disability who also fit one of the above two categories.

Year 11 and 12 (VCE and VCAL)

• All Year 11 and 12 provision for both VCE and VCAL will move to remote and flexible learning.
• The GAT will be rescheduled from Wednesday 9 September to Wednesday 7 October.
• The schedule for the VCE examinations and release of results will remain as previously advised.
• Further information about consideration of disadvantage and coronavirus (COVID-19) will be provided shortly.

Staffing

• Schools will ensure sufficient staff are available for necessary on-site supervision.
• Staff not required for onsite supervision will work from home.

Collection of books and equipment

We know that some students have equipment and books that they need to collect from their lockers for the next 6 weeks. Our school is being deep cleaned this week until Thursday, and so, there is no access until after that.

As soon as we are able to allow students and staff onsite to collect books and equipment, we will advise all students and families.

Devices and internet

Year Level Coordinators will be contacting all students through class visits to make sure they are equipped with a suitable device and internet to support their learning.

Please contact your child’s Sub School if you need support.