Concord Connect

Principal's Report 

Home School Learning

The Premier announced yesterday that remote and online learning will continue until the end of term 3. This is certainly not the news that any of us wanted to hear. We can’t wait for our students to return to school! There will be direction provided next week regarding what a return to school will look like in term 4 so we eagerly await that announcement. 

 

In the meantime, please support your child through the remaining two weeks of school in the best way that your family circumstances will allow. Our staff have been varying the programs offered to students in an attempt to engage them and provide additional motivation.

 

If you or your child require support, then please consider accessing the following resources:

 

A short video produced by headspace with

 tips and strategies for parents and carers during lockdown 

Student Mental Health and Wellbeing resources for advice 

Advice for students about how to adapt during COVID-19 

Resources for learning from home 

Translated resources for learning from home 

Staffing News

Flora Nixon (Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning) is taking Family Leave at the end of term. We wish Flora and Matt all the best! Flora will be replaced by Karlie Gooding, the Secondary 7/8 Team Leader. Karlie is an experienced leader who was an Assistant Principal in her previous school. We are fortunate to have such a capable leader to continue to guide teaching and learning at Concord School.

 

Emma Smale, Occupational Therapist in Upper Primary is leaving our school for a new role at the end of this week. Emma has been at our school for several years and has provided interventions and programs that have significantly benefitted the many students she has worked with.

 

Kaleigh Holland is leaving us at the end of the term to live in Hong Kong for a period. Kaleigh currently teaches Art at the Watsonia Campus, but she has previously worked at the Bundoora Campus as a teacher in the Secondary school. We wish Kaleigh, Ben and Rory well as they embark on their next adventure.

 

One final farewell at the end of the term is to Kellie Edwards who many of you will know as one of the smiling administration team in the office at Bundoora. Kellie and her family are moving to Torquay. We will certainly miss Kellie’s happy demeanor and special uniform fitting skills.

School Council President Report

School Council Meeting was held at 7:00pm on Monday 30th August 2021 via Webex in which the following matters were discussed:

 

COVID Safety Update:

  • Numbers of students onsite have increased.
  • Staff are on a rotational roster to accommodate the numbers.
  • All measures are being used to minimise risk as much as practicable for staff and students.

Remote and Flexible Learning Update:

  • Staff continue to provide learning tasks that maximise engagement for students and will continue to work towards IEP goals.
  • Supportive programs are being  offered.
  • Any feedback regarding remote learning is appreciated and can be directed to Flora Nixon, either via phone or email.

Sections are offering some of the following:

  • Online Help desk options.
  • Some Specialists are offering live lessons.
  • Teams are celebrating special occasions such as Book week.
  • Pre-Cal classes are offering remote experience days.
  • Allied Health Team are offering small group activities.
  • Remote learning onsite is offering structured days accessing remote learning tasks.

Mid Cycle AIP Progress

  • Staff continue to work towards goals, prioritising Wellbeing and Engagement during remote learning.

Concord School Building Works:

  • Planning for Building works has reached the schematic design stage with 3D designs being finalised and will be available to review at next school council meeting.
  • Construction is expected to commence April/May 2022.

Student Representative Council

  • Meeting has been held via Webex with students suggesting many ideas for – “What can Concord School do to brighten up Lockdown”.
  • International Eat outside Day will be promoted for Tuesday 31st of August.

 

Next School Council Meeting: Monday 18th October 2021 @ 7pm

 

Principal Award-  Chloe Battista

 

Chloe has demonstrated resilience and a positive attitude in her approach to the challenges of remote learning this term.  She engages in the learning tasks and WebEx sessions with an enthusiastic smile every day.  She contributes to all class discussions and challenges herself to do her best work in literacy and numeracy sessions.  The effort Chloe is putting in to her learning is resulting in some wonderful writing pieces, showing her knowledge of using adjectives to make her writing more interesting, and editing her work to fix up any errors.

 

Outside the classroom, Chloe is a beautiful friend who is always looking out for others and making sure her classmates have someone to play with.  She can be seen laughing and playing games with her friends in the playground and modifying the games to ensure everyone is included.   

 

Everyday Chloe comes to school with a positive attitude and is a role model for the Concord School Values of Respect, Cooperation and Personal Best.

 

Congratulations to Chloe !

 

"Students striving to be the best they can be"

 

Jason Coningsby

Principal