Dear Families,

The world as we know it: confusing, different and challenging. Also full of new opportunities, family time and sunshine.

I have put some items of interest that relate to us this term:

Merriam-Webster dictionary added new coronavirus-related words, such as social distancing, contact tracing and super-spreader
Tools that have enabled remote learning, such as online lessons, zooms, messaging, screen sharing, screenshots, blogs, Compass, SeeSaw, chats, have now become a part of our repertoire.
RHPS Time Capsule – continues with interesting items, zoom screenshots, memories of events.
Technology was smoother. Options were greater.
Teachers became more comfortable in front of the camera [it was scary first time round].
Social and emotional learning was very important.
Care Connection Contacts ensured no family was left isolated.
Indoor cubbies, pet learning, Lego and Spoonville featured highly.
Families found other ways of learning.
We all learnt a bit more about what made your child ‘tick’.
We saw into your homes and you saw into ours.
Our school is really, really clean.
Our Shared Story – several RHPS students published globally as well as our Gr 6 Art piece -https://www.oursharedstory.org.au/
Flat Travellers went around the world to discover what it was like to live in different communities during COVID-19 times - https://rhpsflattraveller.blogspot.com/
FB posts kept families in touch with our monthly challenges, community events, school events, additional activities and fun.
P&F activities
Specialist challenges and competitions
Onsite learning fun and games

School leaders, teachers, ESOs, students and families quickly adapted to a vastly changing education environment. We need to commend the adaptability and dynamic approaches that have been developed through remote learning and celebrate the achievements and successes of all our community within a changing school culture. Peter Hutton, founder of the Future Schools Alliance, says, “Teachers have come through the largest and most rapid pedagogical change in the history of schooling…This is the biggest single change that we’ve ever witnessed in 100 years, in the fastest time.”

And we have all survived and are very excited to take some of the remote learning opportunities with us as we gather back together onsite.

Right now though, fatigue has set in. Teachers are exhausted. Parents are very much over it, One article I read quoted a parent: “I just screamed like a banshee in front of the entire Zoom class cause I thought it was on mute,” And the kids? The kids are still in their pyjamas. One of our parents has turned “I don’t like Mondays” into a remote learning song… here it is. Sing along. You’ll be pleased to know that this family did well with their remote learning, just not on Mondays!!

The threshold level inside her head has switched to overload

[to the tune of “I don’t like Mondays” by Nicole and Jessie T]

And she doesn’t want to home school today

she just wants to play at home

Daddy doesn’t understand it , he thinks the schoolwork should just get done

And he can see no reason

Cause there are no reasons that make sense to him

Tell me why, we don’t like Mondays

Tell me why, we don’t like Mondays

Tell me why we don’t like Mondays

We don’t want to home school oooooohhh

Anymore

The iPad screen is kept so clean

As it waits to join the class zoom

Mother’s coffee is hot

Dads temper is shot

And their thoughts turn to COVID 19

They had their choice to send to her school

But they wanted her safe and healthy

They can see those reasons

Cause there are those reasons

Those reasons are COVID 19

Tell me why

I don’t like Mondays

Tell me why I don’t like Mondays

Tell me why I don’t like Mondays

It’s the hardest day of the week

to home school

I will leave you with this – over 20,000 writing pieces were received by Oxford University from Aussie students. They collated the words used in these stories and here are the results: [source http://www.blog.oup.com.au/ ]

Thanks for your untiring support of our RHPS community. Our Tribes have been reflected in words, actions, smiles and messages. Have a wonderful holiday

With appreciation,

Mary

School holidays:

Yarra Ranges Culture Tracks are providing a range of free and low cost activities these school holidays to keep young children busy and entertained.

Please click on the activity link for further details on each event.

Woody Clark is no stranger to entertaining kids and families, so join him for a virtual 'campfire' party full of jokes, quizzes and guessing games. If the kids are mad for music, tune in to Inventi Ensemble's musical workshops:

Move to Music! explores the ways we can move our bodies to different types of music, while

Animal Antics! features a whole host of animals represented by music. For any steampunk scientists out there,

Letting Off Steam is the way to go – experiment with gas under pressure in an online scientific workshop. And for other curious kiddos, we're launching a brand-new interactive eBook,

My Home, Yarra Ranges – full of colourful characters and fun activities, this moving story will keep the kids entertained

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Beleza School Uniforms