Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers

It has been great to connect with our students again. The students have been great, engaging in their learning and seeking feedback from teachers. We will continue to manage our return to school to minimise the threat of COVID 19, while ensuring continuity of learning.

There has been some great feedback by our students about what has worked and not worked for them. It has been interesting to read the research on learning during this time and I draw your attention to a number of them -

• ‘Education is over’ - William Rankin 15.4.20
• ‘The students who are in the zone studying at home’ - Natassia Chrysanthos, Sydney Morning Herald 19.5.20
• ‘Five reports on remote learning find vulnerable students could fall six weeks behind due to COVID-19-related measures’ - Conor Duffy, ABC News 28.4.20

The first article looks at how schooling was in an industrial model and, it has been something we have identified at O’Connor and have been moving away from, the idea that information is everything. We need to move our students to be discerning in their analysis and use of information. 

‘The problem is that none of the important tasks learners have to undertake in their lives — or will have to undertake — is inherently informational. This is not to say that information won’t be involved: I’m not advocating for some kind of know-nothing, “everyone is a winner” fallacy. Rather, it’s time we acknowledge that information is a commodity, and focusing on it is actually setting the bar far too low for learners

What an exciting time to be in education, to be able to take the new learnings we have from connected learning at home and look at how flexibility and choice can be incorporated into a student’s day. The key capabilities of creativity and critical thinking need the ability to source and discern information, gone are the days when rote learning was the key to learning success.

The second two articles look at both sides of learning at home. For some students it has been a wonderful experience. A chance to take control of their learning and set the agenda for themselves. For others, it has been difficult and a time of anxiety and stress. Our focus over the next weeks will be building connection to the school and building students' sense of self and wellbeing. We are looking at ways to increase flexibility in terms of face-to-face and connected learning at home for our senior students.

Phases of Learning

Our managed return to school continues and is outlined in the following infographic. In the event of a ‘second wave’ of COVID-19, health advice and CSO directives will be followed as to the Phase of Learning we return to. The phases are such that we can return to previous phases if necessary.

Arrangements, Cleaning and Hygiene Guidelines to Prevent Spread of COVID 19 - PHASE 3 and 4

O’Connor has been proactive in maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment. The following measures that will be in place starting on Monday 25th May are based on the guidelines supplied by Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) advice on reducing the potential risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools. 

The latest advice is that students do not need to social distance; however, staff do.

Students do not need to social distance in the classroom, best practice would spread students out as much as possible. 

We have increased our cleaning schedule to ensure all surfaces are cleaned regularly including toilets, desks, chairs and high touch surfaces such as door knobs and stairwells.

Students are to ensure the following:

• If you are sick you are not to attend school.
• Wash your hands as you arrive, leave and regularly during the day
• Maintain appropriate social distance with staff
• Wipe down high use surfaces such as your desk and computer

• Staff will stagger students arriving and leaving the classrooms to ensure there is no congestion in high traffic areas such as corridors and stairwells

• There will be no school assemblies until further advice except through zoom
• Year Briefings will be held in the Quad during PAC time according to the following schedule
  • Year 10 Monday
  • Year 9 Tuesday
  • Year 8 Wednesday
  • Year 7 Thursday
  • Year 11 and 12 Friday

• Hand sanitiser and wipes in every classroom.
• Students will wipe down their desk as they leave each lesson
• No requirement for students to social distance with each other. We will try, as a best practice measure, to separate as much as possible
• Ventilation is essential, therefore windows and doors will be open to allow for cross ventilation.

• Practical classes can proceed in consultation with the Leader of Learning and Principal.
• In all cases, staff must feel safe to undertake practical work. If precautions cannot be ensured, practicals are not to occur.
• If students cannot follow the guidelines they will be unable to participate in practical lessons.
• The following precautions must be followed:
  • Social distancing of 1.5 m must be ensured between teacher and students
  • Rooms are to be cleaned and disinfected pre and post use
  • Equipment and high touched surfaces are disinfected between classes
  • All students and staff wash their hands on entering and leaving the room
  • Hand sanitiser is used through the lesson
  • Safe food handling procedures continue to be used

We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed. Thank you for your support during this challenging time. 

What new learning will you undertake this week?

Regina Menz