SCHOOL LEADERSHIP'S MESSAGE
LEADERSHIP REPORT
I hope everyone in our community is doing well and taking care of their health. I know the current climate will be creating anxiety and concern amongst parents as well as students. At school, we are reminding students that we are resilient and strong and that we will get through these tough times best by looking after each other and by being kind to each other.
Currently schools are operating as normal EXCEPT for camps and excursions which have been cancelled. We are encouraging students to practise social distancing, good hygiene, and to be prepared for any eventuality. To this end, we have been showing students how to use Microsoft Teams, an online learning space, which students will access if we move to a remote learning model (i.e. school buildings are not open).
Students self-isolating at home through parent choice
Work for these students is on Compass. They are able to contact their teachers via email. We are asking that VCE students who are self-isolating and are required to complete a School Assessed Task or Coursework (SAC), are supervised by an adult under test-like conditions. Teachers will advise these parents.
Students who are still attending school
Classes are running as normal, however extra-curricular activities (excursions and the like) have been cancelled or postponed. We are asking that visitors do not attend the College and we have cancelled all meetings with individuals and groups who would not normally attend the school. Good hygiene continues to be our best defence.
What will happen if we have to move to learning from home? Our plans …
- Detailed lessons will be on Compass with materials in the Resource tab.
- Students will be able to email teachers.
- Teachers will be available via an online tool (Microsoft Teams) to answer student questions during the time that that class would normally run. Teachers will take the attendance for each class and expect students to log on at the beginning of each lesson and to interact via Microsoft Teams.
- All students have Microsoft Teams on their laptops, this allows online collaboration and video conferencing/calling. We are currently investigating how best to use this and we are working with staff and students on this while we can.
- Parents or carers will be required to supervise SACs and authenticate that these are the work of the student in their care (VCE). The document will be provided to parents.
Advice to parents if schools are closed
- Keep the normal school timetable. Students do English when they would normally have their English class etc. (teachers will be available during these classes to answer questions via email or Microsoft Teams).
- If you do not have the internet, please consider allowing your child to hotspot from a phone. We believe, for example, that Aldi is offering increased data packages at no additional cost. Telstra has offered extra data to current clients at no extra charge.
- Ensure your child has a laptop or you have notified us if they do not. This will be our main platform for ensuring continuation of your child’s learning.
Advice to students
- Continue to take your books home each night (especially our Senior Students)
- We can make this work! Online learning can be a positive experience.
- Keep working, especially if you are in the VCE because other students around the State will be working very hard at home too.
Thank you everyone for your support to date and please keep checking your emails as things are changing daily. This will be our main form of communication other than Compass. We are concerned that over 100 parents have not accessed Compass recently; we would urge parents to be as informed as possible.
Principals
Principal - Vaya Dauphin
Assistant Principal - John Wilson