Principal Report
Community response - thank you!
Firstly I would like to extend my gratitude to all our valued school community members in these challenging times. We have all been asked to take on a number of challenges in recent times, and I can report, with a great deal of satisfaction, that the vast majority of our school community have fallen into line. This is difficult for everyone, and we all have a story.
With no rule book to follow and having to dodge the human nature of, 'wanting to fix everything', you have all been asked to exercise patience, trust and respect. By and large, that has been the case, so many thanks from me.
The challenges aren't about to cease soon however, and I ask that you now develop rich relationships with your classroom and specialist teachers to further support our most vulnerable - our children & students.
Miners Rest Primary School - migration to online learning
Please keep in mind we are not aware of the length of the current State Government directed arrangements. Below, is what could occur if we were to remain in remote learning mode for the term. We are migrating to online learning on a fortnightly premise and please understand we are catering for all learners, therefore slow is fast:
| Week | Learning & Communication |
| Weeks 1 & 2 | Hard copy packs for all students / Consolidation & continuity of Term One learning / No online as yet ie See-saw (F-2) or Showbie (3-6) / Deployment of devices will occur (pending Minister support) / Parent & student communication to teachers via miners.rest.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au |
| Weeks 3 & 4 | Predominantly online learning begins ie See-saw & Showbie platforms utilised - curriculum based communication via those platforms / Repetition of skills and further knowledge development in learning / Hard copy still available for families who require that or don't have online capabilities. |
| Weeks 5 & 6 | Same as weeks 3 & 4 but we will be adding online face to face via Webex Meetings - you don't need to download anything, links for collaboration of classroom groups will be sent via See-saw and Showbie to join. |
| Weeks 7 & 8 | Development of new concepts and learning, supported by individual and / or small group work online to support point of need learning. |
| Weeks 9 & 10 | Continuation of weeks 7 & 8, with added assessment tasks for our reporting period. |
| Week 11 | End of term conclusion tasks in the same formats. |
| Note | The above is subject to change, depending upon school & home capabilities and any future Government / DET announcements |
Online learning - DET implementation
Learning will be different from home and in remote / online style - there is no question. As parents, your care, support and nurturing of your child's learning is paramount. Hence, we're hoping you can all support learning conversations, twice a week (minimum) with teachers, by being online with your child. This will assist in implementing successful strategies and support questioning / scaffolding as required on the days your teacher isn't online, specifically with your child.
Keep in mind, teachers all have approximately 23 students on average. 23 times 15-20mins learning conferences, two - three times per week, plus additional support and feedback where required, means our teachers are very busy.
DET have advised the following requirements, which broadly act as our guide, at least in the short-term, whilst we determine what works for us all:
Foundation to Year Two Learning - In the first stages of these programs, the aim should be to provide literacy activities that take a total of about 45-60 minutes, with 30-45 minutes allocated to each of numeracy, play-based learning and physical activity.
Daily literacy program: activities focussed on reading, writing, speaking and listening. This can include, for example, spoken book recordings.
Daily numeracy program should include basic counting and measuring activities that can be conducted using everyday materials.
Daily play-based learning activities. These include free drawing and painting, colouring, folding, collecting, grouping and making and listening to sounds, including, where possible, music.
Year Three to Year Six Learning -
The focus of the program on literacy and numeracy with a broadening of learning to include the key learning areas and general capabilities.
This can be done through subject-based learning and integrated and inquiry-based activities.
Students should also be provided with suggestions for physical activity, for example, simple exercises or simple dance routines.
literacy for a total of 45-60 minutes
numeracy for 30-45 minutes
physical activities for 30 minutes
Further parent support can be found via the following link: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/learning/Pages/home-learning.aspx
First Day with Remote Learning
Two Star Pupils at Work - Day One!