PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Mr Nicholas Adamou

Principal

Key Dates

Dear parents/students and staff,

Early this term the Minister for Education, the Hon. James Merlino, said, ‘Our principals, teachers, support staff, students and families will again do us proud’. This year has truly highlighted the central role schools are playing in our communities. As educators we are leading the way in our schools, networks and communities of practice: building on established networks and creating new collaborations focused on testing ideas, embedding routines and swiftly adapting to the complexities of teaching and learning in the current context of remote and flexible learning. 

Our NGSC community is always here and ready to support our students, parents and staff with the education of our children during these pandemic times. We do not always have all the answers, however, what we have is the right structures in place, enough experience in problem solving and the enthusiasm to overcome any obstacles to improve the lives of our students.  

What we know for a research-proven fact is that the relationship between home and school directly impacts the depth and quality of both student learning and personal growth. This is of course something we know and experience, in particular, now, during the Remote and Flexible period. The school would not have been able to deliver a quality remote and flexible learning without the great support from our parents/carers/families. 

I take this opportunity, once again, to thank you all, parents, carers and family for the support you are providing our students, working together in our endeavour to continue the education of our children under these unprecedented times. The resilience and the commitment parents, carers, families and students have demonstrated is outstanding.

Therefore, I couldn’t agree more with our Minister for Education and I confirm that our students, parents and staff are definitely “doing us proud”. I am hoping that we are getting closer to the end of remote and flexible teaching and learning, and soon students will back to face to face learning. I am fully aware of many students missing their friends, classmates, teachers and everything that the on-site schooling has to offer. ‘Hang in there’ and soon you will be able to come back to on-site learning.         

Building Resilient Families

There are two helpful new resources to help you support your children during remote and flexible learning.

Raising Learners Podcast

The Department of Education and Training has funded a 10-episode podcast series through the Raising Children Network called ‘Raising Learners’. It features parenting experts from organisations including the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Career Education Association Victoria, as well as the Australian eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant.

Raising Learners provides parents with practical advice, tips and ideas for supporting children’s health, wellbeing and engagement at school and at home. Topics include how to connect with your child’s school and community, how to best support your child’s learning, what to expect for VCE and VCAL students and how to keep your child safe online.

These topics were drawn from common questions that parents raised with the Department’s coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline and Parentline.

The first three episodes will be available as of 1 September, and the rest throughout terms 3 and 4. Raising Learners can be accessed via podcast apps and Raising Children Network website.

Managing the Coronacoaster webinar

Renowned child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg is back by popular demand to repeat his Coronacoaster webinar.

On 15 September, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg will again present Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era. His first webinar in August booked out in three days, with more than 12,000 registrations.

In this webinar, Dr Carr-Gregg provides tools and strategies for parents and carers to help manage the lock down period and remote learning. Topics include:

• your supportive role
• setting the emotional tone
• focusing on what you can control
• how to deal with disappointment
• more resources and where to get help.

Webinar details

When: 7:30 pm, Tuesday, 15 September

Duration: 45-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer session

Format: online via live stream

Cost: free

Register for the Managing the Coronacoaster webinar via Eventbrite

Find out more

For more information about the podcast or webinar, schools can contact Jeremy Cussen, via:

• email Jeremy.cussen@education.vic.gov.au
• phone 7022 1871

Managing student illness in schools during coronavirus (COVID-19)

One of the most important things we can do is to stay at home when we are unwell, even when we have the mildest cold or flu-like symptoms.

This is especially important for the students continuing to attend on-site schooling.

A fact sheet which contains information about unwell students has been developed by DET, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Safer Care Victoria, explaining the following; 

• if a child is unwell, even with the mildest symptoms, they must stay home
• if a child has any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), however mild, they should be tested
• a child must stay at home until they are symptom free, even if their coronavirus (COVID-19) test is negative
• children do not need a medical certificate before returning to school.

Schools can print out or send the fact sheet to parents and carers via their usual school communications channels.

For more information please follow the link: A fact sheet