Principal's Report
Hello BRPS Community,
Welcome to our showcase newsletter that aims to celebrate just some of the brilliant learning that has been happening across all year levels and specialist subject areas during remote learning so far.
With all of the twists and turns that this pandemic has brought about, it's wonderful to be writing to our school community about the positive achievements, innovation and support that is happening right across the school.
You have to be amazed at what our teachers and school staff have done to turn the whole system around so that kids can stay connected, collaborate and learn across the curriculum areas from home.
I continue to have enormous gratitude and admiration for our staff to do what they are doing to support all families in our community.
With that in mind, I strongly encourage you to scan through the pages of this Newsletter as we share some of the ways the planned curriculum is being adapted for remote learning.
P/T Conferences
Thank you to all parents who were able to attend our parent teacher conferences via Webex. As it turns out they were perfectly timed for parents and teachers (and students) to connect and parents to ‘meet’ with their child/ren’s teacher/s to strengthen the partnership, learn from each other and continue to enhance the remote learning experience as it continue for an extended period of time.
The mutual respect and gratitude shared between teachers and parents as you work together to support the ongoing wellbeing and learning of BRPS students.
Student Health and Wellbeing
Although our community has demonstrated tremendous levels of resilience and a strong commitment to following the requirements of all restrictions, we recognise that with the juggle of work and supporting learning, as well as the loss of the freedoms that we have previously been so lucky to take for granted, many days are going to be a struggle.
There are a number of resources available to families support you in this area:
Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families (Michael Carr-Gregg)
To help parents and carers build family resilience in these difficult times, the Department is presenting a free webinar by renowned child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg. This webinar will give families some practical skills, knowledge and strategies for managing the lockdown period and remote learning.
This webinar will be taking place online. You will be sent a link on the day of the event to watch it, via the email address you supply.
Please note that this event will be deliverd live only and won't be recorded.
WHAT IS YOUR CHILD EXPERIENCING DURING COVID-19?
• Seeing global pandemic and worrying.
• Feeling a big change in schedule and normal life.
• Hearing parents, trusted adults and leaders expressing alarm or worry.
HOW DOES THIS IMPACT ON YOUR CHILD’S BEHAVIOUR AND HEALTH?
• Increasing worry and stress.
• Acting out or holding feelings inside.
• Expressing fear in the form of anger or arguments.
• Causing sleeping problems.
• Changing eating habits, which can lead to stomach aches and headaches.
• Provoking tears easily in some children.
WHAT DOES YOUR CHILD NEED?
• To feel safe.
• To belong.
• To have a feeling of control.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Manage moods. Maintain a consistent routine. Connect. Grow.
• Focus on staying calm.
• Help your child cope in a healthy way - play games, be active, draw, listen to calming music.
• Give your child control by giving choices – clothes, foods, chores.
• Set a regular bedtime and turn off devices one hour before.
• Create a daily schedule with your child.
• Spend time together as a family.
• Help your child chat virtually with friends and family.
• Do something new and different.
• Create a warm, loving environment - use calm voices and share kind words.
Acknowledgement: Steve O’Brien, Psy.D., Anxiety in Children During the Covid-19 Crisis: Targeted Strategies to Create Calm and Build Resilience
The Raising Children website is fantastic for all things children - https://raisingchildren.net.au/
The site supports families with a range of issues. It’s easy to navigate and is structured by age-group and then by topic.
Student Motivation and Engagement
The current situation that we're in and some of the issues raised above will almost certainly mean that your child/ren will be more motivated on some days than others. Engagement with remote learning has certainly been a bit of a roller coaster in my house and teachers are reporting variability in student motivation the longer that remote learning continues.
Please be aware that this is common right across all homes involved in remote learning across Victoria. Learning is a social construct and when students are placed in a vastly different context to undertake learning in relative isolation, away from their teachers and peers, it can change the value and purpose they associate with different learning activities.
With daily live contact, our teachers are best placed to monitor the general wellbeing, motivation and engagement of students (some are seeing the impacts first hand as they support their own children at home) and will provide support and variability in programming as required.
As parents, we just ask you to continue to do your best to support your children by providing routine and encouragement, and also using your best judgement on when it might be time to step back.
Staying Connected
Although nothing will replace our ability to catch up with friends, play sport, learn face-to-face with our teachers and participate in everything that on-site schooling offers.
Our Year 6 Leaders have been busy planning a range of activities to connect us across the school. Stay tuned for some exciting announcements.
Sam Tyndall
PRINCIPAL