Assistant Principals' Report
What an extraordinary year it has been! We are now in week 6 of term 3 and powering through 2020. Whilst all our lives have been upturned and changed we should all take time to reflect on what we have achieved and whilst not be in our normal school environment we believe we have learnt so many different skills, these could be mastering WebEx, keeping ourselves on track in class or some new hobbies that we are now doing during our times in isolation. We should not look upon the remote learning periods as a wasted year but take away all those new positive learning experiences.
We would also like to remind all students that teachers will be touching base with their mentor groups and making sure we are all staying well, staying safe and staying connected. It is important that students respond to these emails so teachers can help and support you all.
During week 7, we will be sending out and organising some activities that all students can get involved in which will help with student wellbeing, and let’s not forget the Strava “Walk to Perth Hub” challenge which is a great motivational activity.
Tips to Help Your Child Focus and Stay Engaged During Remote Learning
We are half-way through the term and we want to help keep our students engaged. Here are some ways parents can support:
- Communications: Email and ask teachers about the work, how you should be involved. What tasks are due, what assessments are being done, check feedback on COMPASS Learning Tasks.
- Help them make a plan: When there's a specific assignment to tackle, encourage your child break up the work into manageable chunks. Complete some parts each day, write a plan or do some research first.
- Be a motivator and monitor: Ask about assignments, tasks and tests. Give encouragement, check completed work, discuss concerns.
- Praise their work and efforts: Mention academic achievements as much as possible.
- If there are continuing problems with work, get help: Talk about it with your child's teacher or prompt them to ask the teachers for extra help.
VCE Students:
It’s important to communicate with your family, don’t shut them out. Sit down for half an hour each night and just chat about what you’re studying. Try explaining a concept or book you’re working with. Give your parents or siblings copies of your essay drafts to read. Even if they’re just proof-reading, it will allow your family to better understand what VCE is all about. Put your timetable and study schedule up on the fridge so that everyone knows when you need to be left alone and when they can chat with you. The support of your family can be invaluable, especially when it comes down to the crunch at the end of the year. You might be surprised just how much your family can help.
VCAL Students:
Pathways interviews have been underway and we would like all to congratulate all VCAL students on the great work being done in striving to complete Intermediate or Senior certificates.
Make sure you can reflect on these as you near your completion:
How are you going now?
What subjects are grabbing your interest
What is your career goal? What will you need to do to reach this goal?
Does your current progress at school indicate that it is a realistic goal? If not, what can you change to make it realistic?
Stay well,
Glenn Jenner and Rose Thomson
Assistant Principals