Principal's Report

As we enter into another period of lockdown in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is timely to reflect on our students and their learning for the 2021 school year and how as parents and carers we can best support our children as they head into Semester 2.  At Epping Secondary College much of what we do with students relates to being ready for learning, by being well-prepared to learn effectively through having a positive mindset and productive behaviours. The notion that an individual’s academic capacity is to a large extent within their control is empowering for students - it tells them that what they do makes a difference.

As our students have returned back to the routine of onsite learning in 2021, as a staff team we have noticed a number of things that were not as visible in students and their learning prior to the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns that have occurred.  In essence, we have seen students across the school grappling with the challenges of the academic rigor and the re-establishment of their social networks across the school. Our dedicated teachers and support staff have been doing all they can to support students with these challenges and to equip our students with the academic, social and emotional skills they will need both within and beyond our school.  This has included a dedicated team of tutors who are working with our students to ensure they catch up on missed learning from 2020, dedicated support programs to equip students with the necessary literacy and numeracy skills to learn for life and a broad array of social-emotional programs and activities that support students to become self-regulated and in control of their decisions and learning.  When we put this beside a strong and positive connection between staff and students we are equipping students with every opportunity to shine.

As a school we know that when we work together with parents and students that the chance of strong outcomes and well-rounded students is enhanced.  With this in mind, we are putting a call out to all parents to continue to have those conversations at home that support our work and the development of your children into fine young adults. As we head into a significant assessment period for many of our students, it is important for students to understand that they have to train if they seek to improve their academic fitness. Generally, students can understand the importance of training for sporting success and practising for success as a musician; however, they have difficulty applying this concept to their academic work. 

Equating the effort needed to learn well with the effort needed to be an exceptional violinist or athlete can be empowering for students. It facilitates a discussion about the behaviours and attitudes which characterise effective learning in a way which is accessible to adolescents. Part of this is to encourage your child to view progress in terms of personal bests rather than marks. As always my message to students is to focus on what they are doing rather than on what they are getting but incorporating the idea of achieving their personal best in each subject may well be a good motivator and one that leads to some amazing academic results for Semester 1.

Flexible and Remote Learning

From Monday, 31st May to Thursday, 3rd June (inclusive) all students will be engaged in Flexible and Remote Learning from home.  Daily information for students will be available via the XUNO platform for both student and parent viewing.  This will include relevant information for each class, including either a WebEx or MS Teams link for any video lessons that may be occurring during each lesson.

Lessons for students will be scheduled to align with our regular timetable and each lesson will run for 60 minutes.  Student attendance will be recorded by teachers during this time and students are asked to ensure that they check in via the WebEx/MS Teams link if it is a video session or via XUNO for all other lessons.

We have attached a simple instruction sheet to support students with what they need to do each day to support their learning and we encourage you to become familiar with this.

Student Health and Wellbeing

Whilst learning remotely, it is really important that students also undertake a number of activities each day that are away from the screen.  Our Wellbeing Team will provide all families with information about a range of activities that can be conducted during this period of flexible and remote learning.

As a school we know that events such as the lockdown spark a range of responses from students and we want you to know that we have a team of staff here at the College to support students and their wellbeing.  Any parents concerned about their son or daughters’ health and wellbeing are reminded that Year Level Coordinators are the first point of contact.  Our Year Level Coordinators can then access a range of supports through the school to support students.  Please use XUNO to communicate with our staff where required.

If at any stage you require further information, please do not hesitate in contacting relevant staff via XUNO or the office on 9401 2599.

We look forward to our students and staff returning to school as soon as possible.  In the meantime, stay safe and stay healthy.

Brad Moyle

Principal