Merbein P-10 College Newsletter

Merbein P-10 College Events

Date Issued: 

26/03/2020

Merbein P-10 College http://www.merbeinp10.vic.edu.au

merbein.p10@edumail.vic.gov.au

188-206 Commercial Street Merbein VIC, 3505

Phone 0350252501.

ACTING PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

 

Thank you for your support and understanding

With Term 1 coming to such an abrupt end I didn’t get the opportunity say thank you and acknowledge the wonderful support and understanding we received from all members of our school community. Whilst the school holidays were obviously brought forward in an unprecedented move to help restrict the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we felt that a final brief newsletter to keep families informed about future planning may be appreciated.

This term has been an extremely challenging one and the only way that we will continue to provide our students with the best possible learning and wellbeing support in the coming weeks and months is to continue to work together in a positive way.

Learning may look quite different in Term 2, but no matter how challenging the landscape may appear, we are determined to provide the best opportunities we can for all of our students from P-10.

Important information for remote learning after the holidays

During the school holidays we will be provided with updates from the Department of Education and Health Minister as to what schooling will look like when we return on Wednesday 15th April. If we are informed that we will move to remote learning we have already prepared two weeks of learning tasks for students to work through. A small number of primary students' families actually collected these learning packs prior to the holidays so they can be opened and used if the need arises after the holidays. However, for the majority of other students the following arrangements have been put in place if remote learning begins after the school holidays:

  • All primary students will be mailed out a learning pack with a variety of tasks to complete over the first two week period. These packs will be mailed on Tuesday April 7th so that they arrive at your homes in time for Term 2 to start.
  • All primary students have also had a reading pack organised with readers suited to each student’s learning needs. Many families have collected these packs from school but if you haven’t done so, could you please pick them up for your child from the main office by 2pm Friday 27th March. After this time the office will be closed for the term break.
  • Some online learning opportunities will also be put up on Compass for our Year 2-6 students for those who have access and a suitable device.
  • Our secondary students learning will be put up on Compass from the beginning of Term 2.
  • From our survey we know there are some students who will not be able to access this material. Therefore, we have made up learning packs with hard copies of these activities for those students. They will also be mailed out on Tuesday April 7th so that they arrive in time for Term 2 to start.

Remote teaching and learning programs will differ from school to school, just as on-site programs vary between schools. However, whilst it is not expected that things will go perfectly smoothly as we all begin this new way of working, we are determined to support our students at Merbein P-10 in the best way we can manage as a team.

I would once again remind families that at this time it is more important than ever to regularly check Compass and/or our College Facebook page to ensure you have the latest information pertaining to Merbein P-10 College. We are totally committed to keeping you all informed of current changes and arrangements, but without students being onsite this is the best way possible to communicate.

As we move into holiday mode, it’s important that you look after yourselves and your families. Stay Safe.

Resources for talking with children about COVID-19

At home, there is much that parents, carers and other adults can do to help children and teenagers understand the facts about the virus, manage their fears and anxieties and to channel those feelings into a positive, productive response.

These resources have been developed to help parents, carers and other adults when talking to children and teenagers about COVID-19. We hope that some or all of them may be useful to you.

Reminder - TAFE is closed

Just another reminder to any students who would normally be involved in attending TAFE courses, that TAFE is also currently closed.

Asbestos removal -reminder

As a part of the Victorian Government’s goal of making all government schools safe environments for students, staff and the wider community, we will have workers on the school site from the first day of the term 1 holidays, Saturday March 28th, to remove some of the remaining asbestos sheeting in the main school building, portables and activity centre. Asbestos is considered safe unless damaged or disturbed, however the removal of the sheets means that there is no potential risk, which is the optimal result for the school. There will be no staff, students or community members permitted on the school site during the removal process which should be completed by Monday March 30th.

Dates to Remember

April

15th - Wednesday

First day of Term 2 for students

August

10th - 14th

Year  10 Snow Camp

24th - 31st

Year 10 Work Experience

26th - 28th

Year 3/4 Adelaide Camp

September

1st - 4th

Year 10 Work Experience

November

24th - 27th 

Year 5/6 Melbourne Camp

2020 Term Dates

Term 1: 29/01/20 - 27/03/20

Term 2: 14/04/20 - 26/06/20

Term 3: 13/07/20 - 18/09/20

Term 4: 05/10/20 - 18/12/20