May

From the Principal

Term 2 - A very different look

Normally I start a new term's newsletter full of all the goings on at school & while there has definitely been a lot of goings on, it's been very different to what a normal back to term week looks like!

Teachers are working more collaboratively and side by side (social distancing of course!) than ever before.  The Admin block is bubbling with collaboration and new learnings each day.  Essential workers' children are working in classroom spaces in groups of about 10 with teacher-aides supporting their learning, so all students are engaging in the same learnings each day - they are also facing the same technology issues that students are facing with remote learning.  I can't think of a time in my professional career when teaching & learning has changed as quickly as it has in the last couple of weeks, and I have a feeling that the change is not over.  Some people embrace change and welcome it, keen to see what they can adapt and improve, others find it confronting & it causes anxiety and push back.  This is the same for all of us; students, teachers & parents.  The unknown is what I have the most difficulty with, I'm a planner, I like routine and order.  I'm ok with change and get excited about new learning opportunities and process improvement.  Some of the staff here are quick and excited to embrace it, others shudder when they see my cheeky smile, knowing what's coming and the rate of knots I sometimes like to move things.  It's a balancing act trying to keep everyone together and supported through the journey.  This time, we didn't get the opportunity to make those careful decisions about how we were going to reinvent Term 2 Teaching & Learning.  We were give limited options, a very short time to make decisions and get it all out to families.  I am beyond proud of what we prepared in this very short time.  Some staff were here very late at nights & over their holidays to get it ready and done for you.  My heart is warmed by the responses we have had from families and the patience you have shown as the term has started and technology was not our friend.  So much improved over those first 5 days & am excited about what we are going to be able to offer to support remote learning over the coming weeks as well.  Hang in there, and come along with us on this exciting, scary & unknown journey, it will be one that we reflect on for a long time.

School Attendance

I am aware that there are lots of conflicting information regarding school attendance, as a school leader it is frustrating and causing me much concern for the wellbeing of the students and staff at the school.  I think that over time, as some restrictions are lifting, it may be tempting to just send your children back to school.  I am making a heart felt request that you do not do this unless you fall into the essential worker category or have had a specific conversation with me. 

Here are my thoughts on why; 

Teachers are currently doing many jobs, they are designing  teaching & learning for several formats, paper based, online & supporting teacher aide for students attending school.  They are also solving IT issues, learning new platforms, communicating with families regarding learning & well being, creating videos & having to look and listen to themselves more than ever before.  They are therapists for families and their peers, all the while having their own worries about health.  Many of us are also going home to support the learning of our own children that are engaging in remote learning.

If larger numbers of children start to attend school we will not be able to give teachers all the room & space to achieve these jobs, at this stage they are not attached to classes so they have time to be there to support all students and families.  They are on the end of the phone, email & class dojo for instant support and replies. I fear adding any more pressure and stress to the staff at school if our numbers increase.

Larger numbers of students at school create risks of not being able to social distance adequately.  While the research on this is often quoted as it not being a risk at school, I feel it is early days to be making this call and would prefer to urge on the side of caution for all community members.  While this research is being stated, the fact is that if there were many students at school there would also be many adults at school, remember what drop off & pick up times are like, the hustle and bustle in the morning, the number of adults around in the afternoon.  I know our State's COVID 19 numbers have been small and they have discussed how well we are doing flattening the curve, but let's not get complacent yet.  We still have cooler weather to come & our cold & flu season yet to hit us.

Schools are managed by State government, we are taking our advice from the Premier & the Minister for Education Grace Grace.  Please listen to these reports and advice.  I had a parent talk to me about what they had heard regarding education changes that were happening last week, this was advice for NSW, not Qld.  Any important information I am sharing with you as I get it so you are well informed.  School will only be open to essential worker's children and children in foster care until week 5 - Friday 22nd May.  More advice regarding schools will come out during May for returns after week 5.

I have seen other schools in the area & around QLD are requesting information regarding parent work, I know that our families are working hard to support learning & I want to congratulate you on this.  I also want to appeal to you that you don't send your child to school when they can be supervised at home.  We are not expecting you to teach your child and are working hard to ensure that we are still doing the designing & teaching.  You need to advise us through the weekly survey the days your child will be at school or ring us to let us know if your work roster changes.  Parents should not send a child to school without advising the school first.  If you are working from home, I understand the challenges, but please keep your child home with you on the days you are working from home.  We are striving to keep our at school attendance at 20%- which is about 35 students.

Thank you for your support during this time.

Week 2 survey is here for those who haven't completed it yet.

Please contact me if you need clarification on any of this.

Each day teachers are making contact with you regarding engagement in Remote learning.  Please ensure you let them know you are engaged through class dojo.  If your child is sick or not learning on a particular day, let teachers know this or the office and we will mark them as sick.