A Word from the Principal

A Warm Welcome to our Weeden Heights Community

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to week 4 of remote and flexible learning.

Thank you!

I would like to sincerely thank all of our parents for their continued work in supporting their children in their learning during this challenging time.  This week should feel a little easier as students have settled into their new routine.  We do most definitely understand the challenges you face as you are trying to keep a family on task with their work and complete your own job while running and maintaining a household.  Most of the staff have their own children as well and they are also trying to teach your children, organise their own children and work in the remote classroom supervising a few students as well while attending meetings, planning for the following week. 

Thank you for staying so positive because we can do this!  Learning is just looking a little different at the moment.  I have heard from the staff that parents are communicating well and articulating their positives and concerns.  Parents just need to remember that the day does not look like a school day.  You can not complete the type of work that we can in the classroom.  That’s why our remote learning is also flexible to fit in with what is happening in the house and how the devices are being shared amongst the children in the family. 

Updates:

• Staff are calling families every second week to check on how parents are managing and to say hello to their students.  Some of the Prep/1 students are having visits to deliver materials and books
• Next week, each class will be involved in a Google Meet (video conference) on either Thursday or Friday.  Previously we were going to use Webex which the staff use for meetings but as we have been given approval to use the Google suit we can access Google Meet.  The teacher will be able to maintain control of this type of meeting and it is approved by the department and meets our privacy standards.  Zoom is a well known app but not approved by the Department as it has very low security and would put our students in danger.  Google Meet does work like Zoom, Webex, Skype, Facetime etc.  It also will allow us to work through the Google Classroom than using your personal email address.  The invitation will go directly to the child. 
• Each class will learn the etiquette of speaking on line and develop a set of protocols to manage sharing on line and taking turns to speak in the class meeting.  This will become the basis for the rest of the term as video conferencing increases over the coming weeks
• Teachers are now including instructional videos to teach tasks and confirm instructions and learning intentions along with success criteria.  (a massive thank you to the staff for taking risks and putting themselves out there on camera.  It’s not easy but they are doing it! Can you imagine being videoed in your own job and be published for anyone to view?)
• Year levels and specialist classes have included activity grids to complement work as extension activities.  These are optional and there is absolutely no push to have these activities completed.  We have many students (and parents) who would like extra work and the grid will be able to help you out there.
• From week 6 onwards, teachers will be conducting video conferences for reading groups and specialists will also lead video conferences for subject areas
• Students will still receive mid-year reports but we are still waiting for direction from the department around how these will look.  They will be streamlined in comparison to what you would usually receive from Weeden Heights PS.
• Students are completing portfolio assessments this term
• As previously announced NAPLAN is not going ahead
• Student Attitudes to School survey will still go ahead but later on in the year

With all this going on I really want you to look after yourself.  I asked you right from the start to listen to the information coming out from Weeden Heights PS.  We will guide you through this process one step at a time.  We will be working very closely together for the rest of this term at least.  Victoria is standing strong so a commitment to remote and flexile learning for the term is definite.  As soon as I know about next term I will let you all know. 

Welcome to a new staff member

On Monday we welcomed Kathryn Muggeridge to Weeden Heights PS as our new Wellbeing Officer.  The service provider for Chaplaincy Funding has taken considerable time to recruit for our school particularly to meet the depth of the role at Weeden Heights PS.   Kathryn spent her time on Monday in our remote classroom and had the chance to meet a couple of students.  She has a challenge now to catch up with classes during this unique situation.  She will be continuing on the great work of our wellbeing programs through: lunchtime clubs and activities, caring casserole program, links with the aged care facility through the students, wellbeing programs within the classrooms, parent information sessions and individual support should a student require it.  Welcome Kathryn!

Happy Mother’s Day

Usually we start our celebration with a ‘secret’ PFA Mothers day stall where your children select a gorgeous gift to show their appreciation for everything that all our mothers and mother figures do for us.  This year it once again will look different.  To all our amazing ‘mothers’ we thank you for working with us at school, taking care of your children, work in remote classrooms, make the family run smoothly etc etc.....the list is endless!

We hope that all our amazing mothers and mother figures have a wonderful day on Sunday (and get spoilt!).  Happy Mother’s Day!!!

Enrolments for 2021 - Looking for successful learners to join our team!

This is a reminder for our existing families (and please pass onto your isolating neighbours), that enrolment forms for 2021 Foundation year students are now due.  Our highly successful Bright Beginnings transition program commences once the school reopens and we don’t want you to miss the opportunity to attend. 

I am seeking your help as during term 2, families would normally visit our school.  Most people resinate with our school once they have toured, seen our amazing students at work and had a briefing about the school from me.  This of course is unable to happen at the moment so enrolments has come to a standstill.  If you are connected to a preschool or day care program, I would really appreciate if you are able to speak to parents and encourage them to put in an enrolment form at Weeden Heights PS.  Parents listen to other parents so I am sure that you all would be excellent advocates for our school!  Thanks heaps in advance!!!

Cindy has made all of our enrolment packs electronic so we are able to send out everything to families considering our school.  We have new signage at the front of the school to make sure people driving past know we are taking enrolments as well but that only attracts our very local traffic or people cutting through to the main roads.   

Please take care, stay safe and isolate with your family.

Until next time……

Ms Kylie Campbell

Principal

Futures are Bright at Weeden Heights!