Principal's Update

Dear Families, Students and Community Members,

Welcome back to a very different looking Term 2 for all of us within our community. In the context of students learning remotely from home, it is even more important that all students settle quickly into the daily routine of their remote lessons via Google Classroom following their normal school timetable, as well as our expectations of home study, especially for our VCE students. I have had many positive reports over the first couple of days of remote learning this week which is fantastic to hear.

Communication to Families

This is clearly going to be a challenging time for all of us. It’s going to be critically important that we work very closely together in partnership to ensure that we provide the very best possible support for the ongoing wellbeing and learning of our students and your children. All parent/student letters and advice are being sent via email through Compass. It is essential that all parents have the Compass App installed on a device or access via https://mcsc-vic.compass.educationand are staying up to date with any communication being sent by the College, especially during this remote learning period. If you have trouble accessing or have forgotten your password please call the College. A reminder that a detailed remote learning guide for parents and students was emailed on Wednesday 8 April

and additional information about exceptional circumstances and an application form was emailed on Friday 10 April.

I really do understand that this is an extraordinarily different and unusual situation for all of us and may be stressful. However, it is also really important to recognise that learning is not confined to a classroom. Children are learning from us, and with us, in everything we do, how we speak to each other, how we work and play together and how we treat each other.

The head of the Education Department in Victoria, Jenny Atta, has written to all parents. Please find the letter here, by clicking on the link.

Communication with your Child

I encourage all parents to start and end each day with a check-in to help your child clarify and understand the instructions they get from their teachers and assist them with organising themselves and setting priorities for their learning at home.

A healthy daily routine is great for mental and physical health, as well as concentration and learning.

Encourage regular exercise breaks. This might mean going for a walk, using exercise DVDs and apps, dancing, floor exercises or using home exercise equipment.  Also encourage healthy eating habits and make sure they drink enough water. Again, I encourage you to start and finish each day with a simple check-in. These check-ins can be a regular part of each day.

In the morning, ask:

• What are you learning today?
• What are your learning targets or goals?
• How will you be spending your time?
• What resources do you need?
• What support do you need?

In the afternoon, ask:

• What did you learn today?
• What was challenging? You could come up with a way to deal with the same problem if it comes up again.
• Consider three things that went well today. Why were they good?
• Are you ok? Do you need to ask your teacher for something? Do you need help with something to make tomorrow more successful?

You could also check-in with your child throughout the day. This will depend on your child’s needs.

Advice for parents of children with additional needs

Each of our integration aides have been allocated students to support in their lessons for the day and will be in regular communication with these students and parents. In addition, parents can utilise the following resources:

• How you can support your child with additional needs at home – this resource helps you support your child’s learning at home.
• Understanding learning difficulties for parents: a practical guide – this guide provides you with practical advice about learning difficulties. This includes the evidence base supporting particular intervention programs and a recommended apps list for children with learning difficulties.

Access to Devices and Networks

All Year Level Coordinators have conducted a survey with students to identify those who do not have access to digital technologies at home. Parents of students identified will be contacted to arrange pick-up of loan devices. School devices will be made available on loan to these students free-of-charge to ensure no student misses out (iPads or laptop). A loan agreement will be required to be filled out by parents and students. Please contact the College if you believe your student should be on this list.

E-safety

We expect students to continue to abide by the school’s policies about student behaviour when learning in an online setting. Our Director of eLearning, Mr Justin Wischusen, will be sending home via Compass this week the Personal Digital Device Agreement including acceptable use and e-safety agreement that will need to be signed by student and parent.

Additional DET information for Parents and Carers

The coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for parents, carers and guardians web page contains information and resources for parents and families on:

• Term 2 school dates
• early childhood education and care services
• attendance
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