On Thursday, the government announced a seven day lockdown which means that Fitzroy Primary School will move to remote learning. The government also announced that today is a pupil free day, which has given teachers time to prepare online classes, small focus group work, tutoring, Literacy groups and individual online support for our children who need it the most.

We know from previous remote learning experiences that parents across all households find it extremely challenging to support children’s learning whilst balancing work, family and other pressures at the same time. At assembly on Thursday I spoke with children at length to assure them that the school’s expectations is for students and families to simply do their best until we return to onsite schooling. We acknowledge that parents are not teachers and that across our community, parents have their child’s best interests at heart. Please be reassured that the school has a responsibility to provide learning opportunities to families, however ultimately parents will decide what this looks like over the coming days.

All staff have a preference for onsite learning with all children F-6, due to challenges they face with remote learning. However the school has a responsibility to limit movement within the community by delivering learning remotely during lockdown.

Please read the following carefully about children who are eligible for onsite learning in the coming days.

1.Children where both parents and/or carers are authorised workers who cannot work from home, work for an essential provider and where no other supervision arrangements can be made:

Where there are two parents/carers, both must be authorised workers, working outside the home in order for their children to be eligible for on-site provision
For single parents/ carers, the authorised worker must be working outside the home in order for their children to be eligible for on-site provision.

2. Children experiencing vulnerability, including:

children in out-of-home care
children deemed vulnerable by a government agency, funded family or family violence service, and is assessed as requiring education and care outside the family home
children identified by a school as vulnerable, including via referral from a government agency, or funded family or family violence service, homeless or youth justice service or mental health or other health service.

3. School based decision:

Children who require significant learning support and require specific teaching expertise that cannot be provided by parents
Children with parents whose low level of digital literacy and/or language barrier causes significant stress within the family and prevents the child from attending online classes or completing paper based activities
Staff have now finalised a list of children who are eligible and will be offered to come onsite due to significant vulnerabilities in their learning

In your child's bag on Thursday you will have noticed that teachers provided a range of learning materials and books to sustain your child's learning during lockdown.

Staff will clarify key learning priorities, daily activities that are required and provide additional options if your child wishes to pursue further learning. Teachers have also been busy today collecting names of families who do not have a working device and reliable internet so that the school can support families. By Monday, if the school will be providing your family with a device/internet we will contact you directly. As you can imagine our office has been very busy and we ask you to wait for the call.

Children have been reassured by their teachers that their learning will continue throughout lockdown with daily Webex classes, online small group work with the teacher, our Education Support staff and tutor. By attending Webex classes, your child will see their friends and teacher(s) which supports your child's learning, health and wellbeing. Details of individual class arrangements will be communicated by teachers on Compass, including times for your child to meet online.

Teacher’s Webex addresses will be published on Compass and we ask that your child only attend the classes that they are scheduled for. If you need to contact your child's teacher, you can do this through Compass.

During remote learning, some children may experience intense emotions, including stress, and require additional support. If you or your child requires support, please contact the school on 9417 4222.

Over the weekend, I anticipate that there will be further updates from DET which I will communicate via Compass as the information comes through.

Whilst this is a challenging situation for students, staff and parents, we are grateful for our school's community's support and will do our best to ensure continuity of learning, maintain school connectedness and support students’ health and wellbeing during this time.

Angela Richmond,

Principal

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