Appreciations and news

We have had some challenges over the last few weeks that are in keeping with the times we are living in. Sudden closure due to a confirmed COVID-19 case is proving to be a regular occurrence for schools in Melbourne and it brings with it inconvenience and an increase in anxiety for many of us. As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, we have been managing the situation by working together with TheirCare and the Department of Education, but the overarching advice relies on Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) oversight. This has proven problematical. Families that are reliant on school-based learning supervision have received some inconsistent information relayed via DHHS. School leadership and TheirCare were tasked with following up with contract tracing due to DHHS’ capacity being stretched. We appreciate all families directly affected by this experience for their understanding that while changing parameters for school return have made their roles more difficult, that we are in this together. I do wish to acknowledge Sarah and Sonia from TheirCare and our leadership team, Caren, Lyn, Sandra and Anne and our school nurse, Zowi.

In more positive news …

We are delighted to share Laura Montebello’s happy news that Laura and her partner Matt have welcomed into the world their new daughter Elsie Harper Montebello, a new sister for Luella. Elsie arrived on Tuesday, 21st July weighing a very healthy 3.15kg. Laura and Elsie are doing well. We are sure that the students in 5HL, as well as all of Laura’s past students and families will be delighted to hear the news.

Parent/Teacher interview arrangements

We normally hold these at the end of term 2. This is just one of the many changes that we have made to our schedule as we accommodate current challenges. School Council approved the postponement of our term 2 reporting curriculum day to August 12th. Subsequently, with a return to remote learning at home, we have had to manage further complexity, including school closure, so we have made the decision, with the awareness of Council to now hold P/T interviews on Wednesday, August 19th. These will be remote interviews and will enable parents and children to engage with their teachers via WebEx conferences or by telephone. More information will be sent via Flexibuzz next week.

Feedback on remote and flexible learning at home 1.0

When we returned from the initial iteration of remote and flexible learning, we were keen to capture what the experiences had been like for the students. This idea came from our grade 6 captains, so working with 6SM class teacher Shannon, the captains liaised with the class teachers to set some tasks that the children across the school could work on to illustrate their personal experiences of remote and flexible learning. The displays were prepared at the end of term 2, ready for sharing with the grades this term. Of course when the grades were working on these activities, we had little notion that we would be back to learning at home so quickly. Yesterday, Boys’ School Captain, Stephen and 6SM Boys’ Class Captain, Harry, joined me for a gallery walk to see the display in the gallery space in the Dingo building. Their presentation will feature in next Monday’s assembly video. A separate link will show-case all the grades’ and individuals’ work.

Credits for payments made for activities now cancelled

As in previous information issued by the Department of Education and, due to COVID-19, all activities and camps have been cancelled for the foreseeable future.

For parents who have not yet paid their child’s essential item charge for 2020, the credit will be allocated to that first and any balance maintained in the student’s account and rolled over into 2021, or alternatively, a refund of the balance may be provided.

Refunds will only be provided if the 2020 essential item charge has been paid in full.

Please note we unable to provide cash refunds.

Have a great week and stay safe

Brendan

The West Weekly

Issue 21 · 30 Jul 2020

In this issue