For many, the world has shifted in the last few weeks and will never be the same. A sense of grief and bewilderment has left us dazed. Over these last few days teachers have returned to their teaching and have been challenged to rethink their practice while juggling new technologies that at best seem frail and distant. Students have re imagined what the classroom looks like as they engage with technology in new and astounding ways. Family life has been upturned with teaching and learning punctuating the day.

Thanks to All Our Community

It has been difficult to sit with our staff and grapple with the fog of COVID-19 and the difficulty of what remote learning looks like at Rosanna Primary. It has been uplifting to see the very same teachers and educational support staff shift to actively sharpen their technological skills, support and collaborate with each other and seek to ensure students continue to learn and grow. There has been a significant shift with a growing confidence that permeates our regular staff online discussions. We are fortunate indeed to have a team of teachers dedicated to ensure they are supporting students in these difficult times.

Thanks goes also to students who have persisted and parents who have patiently encouraged and guided their children in these early days of remote learning. They have been fraught with frustrating software difficulties, nevertheless I have had many conversations with parents that have been filled with thankfulness and gratitude. Perhaps, amid this time of isolation, we will emerge reminded of value of human relationships and connections with each other.

Access to Technology

One of the great challenges at this time is to ensure remote learning is accessible for all students. Thanks to those who have completed the survey of technology over the last week. This has been helpful in establishing an understanding of how we can use our school resources to support families. We are in the process of contacting families who did not complete the survey to identify a plan to equitably distribute resources to the whole school. Early next week we hope to be contacting families to loan laptops and eventually with dongles to ensure internet access as best we can.

We are developing a plan for those without technology that will include the invitation to pick up and drop off Remote Learning Packs. Keep an eye on Compass to find out more.

New Playground Space

Many have gazed at the works that have occurred in the lower playground over the holidays during their walks in the neighborhood. Giant mudstone boulders have replaced the rotten timber retaining walls. These stepped stones also provide a raised edge to ensure the softfall is retained in the playground while offering a comfortable sitting place for students. The sandpit has been transformed into a creek like pool with pebbled concrete giving the impression of a beach. Pockets of green native grasses spring up around carefully placed benches.

A special thanks to the extraordinary fundraising of FORPS during a remarkable year of fundraising in 2019 that has enabled this project to enhance our play space. The generosity of hours of work by volunteers throughout the year has left us with a beautiful space for creative play. A grant from the Australian Government through the Local Schools Community Fund has contributed also to this unique project. Thanks to all on School Council who collaborated on this project, there are too many to name. We look forward to opening it officially once school resumes but are sure it will get some use before that!

Maths Garden Sandpit

This week our Building Fund donations and a generous grant from Bensons has enabled the further realisation of our STEM Garden. A sandpit to enable construction as well as the opportunity to explore physics and mathematics is well underway. Equipped with a sink and running water it will prove to be very popular with our Preps. Stay tuned for more revelations in the weeks to come.

Communication

As we have minimised the need for staff to be onsite we have made some important changes. Our office which has traditionally been a hub of life and information is now staffed intermittently. If you have any questions we encourage you to send an email to your child’s classroom teacher if it concerns teaching and learning. These teacher emails are available on Compass and staff will ensure responses are sent within 24 hours. Office Enquiries can be sent through to rosanna.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au from where it will be distributed to the most appropriate person to respond. You may choose to call the office and even leave a message if it is unattended. In urgent situations during school hours you can call the school mobile on 0419 337 637. We have also recently made available a Student Wellbeing number that can be used by staff, parents, carers or students to discuss issues related to the mental health or wellbeing of any student at Rosanna Primary. Please call 0492 440 113 if you have any questions or concerns relating to wellbeing.

Most importantly, I ask that all parents keep in daily contact with Compass. There is information on the newsfeed about a range of matters that may be helpful. In this climate, where things can change rapidly, Compass provides us all with the most recent and up to date information we can provide. Please ensure the Compass App is installed on your phone and you may consider allowing notifications that will alert you to new newsfeed items.

Thanks again for your patience during these initial days of teaching and learning.

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