From the Principal

Community

Over the past week, we have commenced the process of contacting all of our families by phone, in order to offer our support to our community during the second period of stage 3 restrictions and remote learning.  This is not about just about checking up on school work, it is more about checking in with our families, ensuring that everyone in the family is doing okay, and offering any support that we can during this challenging time.  We are very fortunate that we have many positive relationships with organisations and agencies across the district and state wide - if any of our families are in need of assistance, we may have the contacts to support.

Even though we are needing to minimise contact, it doesn't mean we are alone.  Red Cliffs Secondary College is, and always has been, a community school - a 7-12 family.  We are reaching out to our families to ensure that everybody knows we are here to support your child academically, socially and emotionally, and that support extends to the entire family too.

Some examples of the external connections that we can utilise to support if needed during these difficult times include:

• Mildura Rural City Council
• Foodbank
• State School Relief
• Sunraysia Community Health Services
• Doctors In Schools
• Mental health services

This is on top of our own school based support teams.  If you haven't heard from us as yet, you will soon.  We are here to support each other.

Being Safe Online

It is more important than ever before to be cautious online - now that we are spending more time working, schooling and keeping in contact with family and friends remotely. Unfortunately, a small group of people are taking advantage of this situation to try to do the wrong thing.  Online safety for all - students and parents, is an absolute must.  Be wary of unexpected emails/contact requests, protect your personal contact details, and if you do come across something that makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, report it to the Police.  The only way we can make our online world safer is to make the people who do the wrong thing accountable for their actions.

Student Attitudes to School Survey

On the next page of this newsletter is a letter from the Department of Education regarding the 2020 Student Attitudes to School Survey.  Please read this, and if you don't want your child to participate, follow the instructions in the letter.