Appreciations

Technology for learning – Our families would have been significantly disadvantaged without the availability of approximately 100 school iPads that were set up and loaned to families during remote learning 2.0. The school’s capacity to meet family’s needs is one we should be proud of. I would like to pay particular credit to Leading Teacher, Anne Reciszen who has coordinated this program superbly, along with the marvellous tech support of our regular IT part time staff member, Quang Ho, Ed Support team member, Russell Newman and all the members of our office team, who have managed the responsibility of taking and responding to calls and providing the devices on collection.

Facilities

Painting of the very highest portion of the school Wallaby building is occurring at the moment. The lack of personnel in the school grounds has made this an ideal time for this work to be done.

Rather them than me!

Our large blue playground shade sails were purchased in 2008. They were cleaned and repaired earlier in the year, but subsequent wind damage has proven that they are at the end of their useful life. While we are seeking a Sunsmart grant, regardless, replacement shade sails are on order. At the latest we expect this work to be done in time for the 2021 school year. These matters were discussed and approved through the school finance subcommittee which reports to School Council.

FWPS Mailbox

Our big beautiful box of messages for our older community members was delivered to Maribyrnong Council last week.

These messages have now been delivered to some residents of our community who are living alone. Several other Residential Care Facilities in the community have also registered their interest and we wait in anticipation for their replies.

This week

PPDs - Each teaching team has had a day free of teaching duties to utilise their Professional Practice Days for purposes of (chiefly) planning and assessment. This has been made possible during remote teaching and learning by providing all specialist activities on the one day, enabling teaching Professional Learning Teams to meet if necessary, each teacher to use the time wisely and with an understandable focus on student assessment of learning, a more challenging concept in a remote learning environment.

Junior School Council - JSC members will meet for the last for the term tomorrow. We do appreciate how supportive they have been in encouraging student engagement with the terrific and fun initiatives, most recent Crazy Hair Day and Literacy and Numeracy Week, both events superbly captured in our weekly assembly videos. A big appreciation to all who have contributed and supported these celebrations.

Next week

Planning week for term 4 is scheduled next week, the final week of term. This will be managed in a similar manner to the Professional Practice Day arrangements, when on one day during the week the specialist program will be provided as the learning program for the entire day. This enables the teams to work together online to plan together collaboratively in order to meet the planning, teaching, assessment and reporting requirements that will occur during term 4.

School Council will meet on Monday. This meeting will be run remotely via WebEx video conference. Council will discuss return to school plans, what term 4 may comprise of considering the continued challenge of managing school requirements during this pandemic, plans for Prep 2021 orientation and planning for 2021.

Virtual School Camp – As outlined in these pages, we are pleased that an idea shared at our weekly Captains’ Meeting (thanks Tilly), was taken enthusiastically by teaching team member, Shannon to her colleagues and similarly embraced by the 5/6 teaching team. So, on the last three days of term next week, all students in grades 5/6 will be grouped across classes and year levels to use their initiative at home while engaging with their team members online to complete tasks, quests, virtual Canberra tours and make the most of what they have not been able to experience in person. There will be prizes for a winning team, Camp Champs and plenty more. Check out the details on page 4. I do hope this experience is a success.

All the best,

Regards

Brendan

The West Weekly

Issue 27 · 10 Sep 2020

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