Appreciations

Another week of remote and flexible at home learning has almost passed by. Thanks again for the many communications from our families, most that are appreciative and many constructive. As we learn during this period of remote and flexible learning we are achieving a great deal.

We can appreciate that many families have achieved beyond what they thought capable. That is a message I hear frequently from parents and from staff. Our teachers are also learning new ways to communicate and new ways to learn. We have confidence that when we return to regular face to face teaching, there will be improved planning and delivery of curriculum.

We can also appreciate and have direct knowledge that a significant number of our families are struggling and feeling heightened levels of stress. Assistant Principal, Caren Taylor along with Kaye Cameron (our Primary Welfare Officer – a trained counsellor) are communicating daily and providing practical support to assist families. If you wish to call Caren, please contact her on the school number of 9687 1535, or Kaye on 0432 410 212.

We are providing families with IT assistance through provision of iPads and in some cases internet access. This was managed as quickly and as comprehensively as we have been able. Please note that our IT technician, Quang Ho, will be at school on Monday mornings 9.00 to 11.00 and on Wednesdays from 9.00 to 4.00. Please email, send a Flexibuzz message, or phone if you need support with a loan device. This may be of particular interest to families using a school iPad that has not had the Google Meet app installed. Due to security issues, families won’t be able to download applications unless they do so using their own Apple ID. While that may be a ‘workaround’, it is preferred that you bring your loan iPad into school for a few minutes at the times noted to enable us to assist.

We hear you! We know that during the first 2 ½ weeks of term there have been lots of challenges in trying to meet all of our students’ learning needs and in supporting parents, many who are managing a number of school and preschool aged kids at home and with perhaps both parents working from home. We also know that some of you are single parents, or one parent is currently not present. We understand that for families where English is a second language, the complexity is then further heightened. Our teacher team leaders are working closely with their team members to moderate learning experiences to better meet these needs for each classroom and for the specialist activities posted weekly for music, physical education, performing arts, Italian and visual art. Teachers are regularly ringing parents to support and advise where this may be helpful. We do understand that a call may be inconvenient. It is okay to suggest another time, juggling is what we all have to do! It may also suit to allow your child’s teacher to have a chat directly with your child. While a three way conversation is preferred, it simply may not be convenient. If you wish to arrange a call from your child’s teacher, email them on their Google Account email, or comment on your child’s classroom feed, send a message to the school (phone, email or Flexibuzz) and the request will be promptly forwarded. If you miss a call, teachers will leave a voice message (if enabled). We know that real time, face to face video meetings (Google Meet) are really appreciated and looked forward to. Particularly in the senior school, Google Meet conferences may be a suitable substitute for regular phone contact. The Prep team have been trialing this addition to their modes of delivery this week and are really looking forward to now connecting regularly with all the students in their classes. By the end of this week we anticipate that all class cohorts will have now connected in this way.

School Council met on Monday for our scheduled meeting and it was notable for being the first time council had met with all members participating remotely. We seemed to manage pretty well in the circumstances. Clearly the focus regarded effects that COVID-19 has on our school community, our operations and plans for the remainder of this term and the school year.

We discussed:

Remote learning from home

The challenge is massive. The teaching staff have worked diligently and collaboratively to support families, but the needs of our community are varied and each week we engage in learning at home there are many in our community highly stressed. Some students have managed well, but others have not. Two way communication is really important and how best can we enable that?

Feedback from a questionnaire prepared for school council parent members on learning at home

School council members reported that teaching support had been extremely helpful but the challenge with teaching the younger children at home in particular had been really difficult. Face to face Google Meet video conferences for grade or small groups were really looked forward to.

Effect on school programs

Soundgarage, excursions, incursions, OSHC are a few programs that have been cancelled or modified during term 2.

Feasibility of camping program

This was discussed and will be reviewed in the next fortnight after contract details are fully considered. Parents and students will be informed of our decision shortly afterwards.

Maintenance and proposed major stabilisation of foundation of Wallaby building

Contractors have now completed testing to determine the causes of ground instability of the north western end of the Wallaby building have been completed. We expect a tender for repairs will be soon be advertised. When we have a timeline of what effect that will have on school programs, we will communicate this information to our community.

Approval of the Annual Report to the School Community

This department mandated summary of the previous school year is normally required to be approved by Council by the end of April each year. Later, we are required to present the report at a public forum. In recent years we have planned the Windows into Footscray West evening to present the report, along with information about school programs and processes such as Tribes, Classroom Instruction that Works and Assessment and reporting. Due to the current CV-19 situation the Annual Report will be shared online. We will review the feasibility of running a WIFW event later in the year.

Approval of finance report

The school will be subject to a reduction of locally raised funds. We have managed our finances effectively and are confident that we can meet our financial obligations during the down turn.

Approval of policy recommendations for Health care and Administration of Medication

We have many current school policies that can be accessed at: http://fwps.vic.edu.au/index.php/our-school/policies/

The most recent documents that approved on Monday were:

Health Care Needs policy
Administration of Medication policy

If you have current queries or concerns please email us directly at

footscray.west.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

All the best

Brendan

Early Years Online Seminar

Family wellbeing during COVID-19