PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

From the Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians, Students and Friends,  

On this eve of our return to in-school learning, it is important for us to reflect on our experiences over the past few months. I would like to acknowledge the incredible work both staff and students have undertaken in adapting to remote learning so well. I have received many emails of support from parents over the weeks, which have been full of praise for our hard-working teachers.  

It seems counter-intuitive but, in a strange way, the distance between staff and students has, in fact, brought them closer. Learning through a screen has introduced a small window into the lives of both students and teachers. To see the artwork on the walls, to hear the siblings, or the cherished family pets, and get a real sense of home within the context of a classroom, has very much deepened the connection between our students and teachers. As often happens during school camps, students have seen teachers to be real people, as opposed to just the formal figure they may otherwise see in classrooms at school. 

Likewise, parents have gained additional insights into the complexity and challenges of the classroom environment. They have seen the variety and, often, the caring and subtle interactions between teachers and their students. They have also seen, first-hand, how their children respond to learning challenges, which, in some situations, has been a revelation to them. I have heard many reports of children learning to very effectively self-manage their studies, and approach the challenges of learning in isolation with great commitment and maturity. It also seems some of our students, who may be challenged by some of the social aspects of school, have certainly flourished in the online learning environment. 

A far greater appreciation has developed, by teachers, students and parents, respectively, for each other, and for being able to work collaboratively to overcome the challenges of remote learning. Thank you all. 

As we return to school operations, it is extremely important that we have faith in the arrangements which have been put in place by the DHHS/DET to maintain the safety of students and teachers. I ask that you review the last COVID-19 update published on Compass last week, and speak to your children about using safe hygiene practices at school, as well as when traveling to and from school.  

We need to remember that good hand cleaning and coughing/sneezing discipline, as well as the limiting of physical touching of others, are the key things we need to do to stop the spread of COVID-19. As restrictions are eased, this becomes more, not less, important. 

Additional cleaning services will be provided at school, including disinfection of high-touch surfaces throughout the day, as well as disinfection of student desks, high-touch surfaces, and the sanitising of toilets, on a nightly basis. 

Finally, now school is resuming, our usual attendance and uniform policies apply. If students are absent, parents need to provide reasons to school and, particularly at VCE level, medical certificates should be produced if time is lost due to illness. Parents choosing to keep their children home due to general concerns about COVID-19 will not have work provided by teachers for their children. 

Families that can supply a medical certificate, which states their children are in a particular COVID-19 vulnerable group, will, of course, have learning materials provided for them.  

VCE students are expected to return to school from Tuesday the 26th of May. Students in years 7 to 10 will continue with remote learning for the next two weeks, and then will resume learning at school from the Tuesday 9th of June. Please see the last COVID-19 update for arrangements for students in year 10 who may be taking VCE studies. 

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding at this difficult time.  

Yours sincerely,

Richard Minack

Principal