Principal's Report

Welcome to Term 2

It has been a very unique start to Term 2. I am immensely proud of the way in which the school community has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and worked tirelessly to not only minimise the impact on student learning but to keep connected and to look out for each other.

Like all schools, we have needed to develop a range of new operations to work remotely. We began day one of term with 120 staff logged in live to our staff meeting via Microsoft Teams.

VCE

Our VCE students began virtual lessons and assemblies from day one and despite some initial nerves and teething issues, things have been running smoothly. Including some of our best ever attendance recorded.

Other Cohorts

Our other levels started with Compass Learning Tasks and by the end of the week there was a very strong completion rate.

The below screenshot is from the work completion rate of Year 7 class last week (the blank columns were classes that did not 'run' due to the short week.

We are using a tracking system so that coordinators can communicate with families to discuss any concerns regarding incomplete complete work and to determine whether this is because of a lack of engagement or an excessive amount of work being set.

There was an issue this week with the tracking system sorting incorrectly which led to some incorrect information being distributed to families. I apologise for this and we are working to make sure that this is not repeated next week.

Junior Students to Join Microsoft Teams

Following the successful introduction of Microsoft Teams to VCE and VCAL students this term, we will be rolling out the platform for students in Years 7-10 over the coming weeks.

Unlike the compulsory nature of attendance in live classes in VCE, our junior classes will have the opportunity to attend one lesson for each of their classes per week. The sessions will involve:

- Explanation of the week's learning task

- Allow students to ask questions

- Explicit teaching of some content

- Connect classmates together.

All sessions are optional but with attendance encouraged. These sessions will be recorded so that students can watch at a later time. Each class will receive a timetable (based on their actual timetable) showing when each session will run.

We are using this model following feedback that many families are struggling with usable space, internet bandwith etc with the entire family now working from home and appreciate junior students having flexibility in when and how they work. Students will continue to complete one learning task per week per subject.

The roll out of Microsoft Teams will be as follows:

Week 3 (next week): Year Level Assemblies

Week 4: Year Level Assemblies & mentor class check in.

Week 5: all classes begin using Microsoft Teams

Assemblies Next Week

Year 7: Thursday 2pm

Year 8: Wednesday 1pm

Year 9: Thursday 11am

Year 10: Thursday 1pm

From the following week assemblies will run as follows:

Year 7: Mondays 1-1.20pm

Year 8: Wednesdays 1-1.20pm

Year 9: Mondays 11-11.45am

Year 10: Mondays 10-10.30am

Student Newsletters

This week we published our first student newsletter via Microsoft Sway. From next week, we will publish a weekly newsletter for each year level.

At this stage we will continue to publish the iNewsletter, with this platform focusing on keeping the parent community informed of whole school information and activities.

Capital Works

Our capital works planning is progressing nicely. Despite some costing concerns, we have been able to make some changes to the design without compromising our ability to achieve construction of the STEM, Year 8, Food and Canteen buildings.

We will continue to work on these plans in the lead up to the May state budget, in which we are still hopeful that we will receive the funding as planned despite the current economic downturn. Fingers crossed!

STEMFlr-N-Layout1.pdf

Year8 Ctr Flr-N color.pdf

FoodTechFlr-N Color.pdf

School Council Elections

I am pleased to announce that Tom O'Connor and Rik Price have been elected as parent representatives. Both are heavily connected to the local community and I look forward to the contribution that they will make to our school council.

Our school council will continue to run, operating remotely, during the this period of remote learning for schools.

Careers

VET/Pathways Coordinator - Karen Talbot will continue to be active and available in supporting students remotely via Microsoft teams: tal@prsc.vic.edu.au

Check out the PRSC Careers website https://www.pattersonriversccareers.com/ It will become a hub of up-to-date information regarding pathways and career choices. It will be updated regularly, including the addition of upcoming virtual University open days, events and VTAC news.

Also, feel free to email: Karen.talbot@education.vic.gov.au

Grade 6-7 Transition Update

Applications for Year 7 enrolment for 2021 have been extended to Friday 29 May 2020 due to COVID-19. Parents will need to return their preference form to their primary school by this date.

Primary schools are in the process of distributing these forms to Grade 6 families. The form can also be found via: bit.ly/DETtransition

Due to the impact of current restrictions on planned transition events, Patterson River Secondary College is making a number of changes to planned events to support grade 6 families this term. These include:

EXCEL (ACADEMIC & SPORTS) TESTING

• Registrations extended

• EXCEL Academic

• EXCEL Sports

• Testing postponed until later this term/early next term due to the dynamic nature of our programs.

FACEBOOK LIVE EVENTS

• Hear from the Principal and the Transition Team

• Live Q&A

• Thursday 7 May 11.00 am

• Tuesday 12 May 4.30 pm

SPEAK TO THE PRINCIPAL OR TRANSITION TEAM

• Arrange a 1:1 or phone or video call