Molong Central School Newsletter

Secondary

Secondary learning

Secondary have adopted a blended approach to support learning from home. 

  • Take home booklets and tasks.
  • Google classrooms for each subject and Year Group
  • Zoom lessons with a teacher. -Over 130 sessions each week have been offered for students from 7-12. 

This has resulted in a solid platform for learning. Other opportunities including hard copies have also been provided to support students without access to technology. 

Students having difficulties engaging are being supported by learning Support Officers and Year Advisors.

 

Most teachers have reported high levels of engagement during Zoom Sessions and as teacher skills increase lessons will become more engaging and effective. Students have follow up activities that are to be complete on Google Classroom or learning booklets.

Secondary frequently asked questions (FAQS)

In an attempt to assist all parents and students, we would like to share a series of FAQS that might alleviate some stress. Please be aware that this list is by no means a list of all possible questions, feel free to call the Deputy if you have other concerns. This list  is also our best response at this stage 

  • What is happening with Assessment Tasks for the remainder of Term 2?
    • All Assessment Tasks due from 23rd March until the end of Term have a final due date of 9th April. This will enable students time to discuss any issues with staff before submission.
    • If students are unable to meet this submission time, it will not be counted as a missed task, but the student will miss out on the feedback and a valuable learning opportunity.
    • Staff are in the process of examining assessment tasks and making changes as required to the appropriateness of the task and form of submission. They will be advising students of any changes.
    • Tasks for Years 11-12 will continue at this stage as scheduled, with some changes due to the present situation and the impact this is having, especially on practical style tasks. Teachers will advise all students of any variation.
  • Where can my child find work that they need to complete?
    • Secondary have now put in place over 80 different Google Classrooms to support the Continuity of Learning Plan. Students need to join these classes using the class code. This code is available in the Year Classroom and it may also have been emailed to the students school email address.
    • At the regular contact with staff (Zoom or otherwise), staff will be assisting students to access the work and explaining what is required. Although there is only two contact sessions each week with the teacher, there is work that students will need to do in their own time and we are asking parents/carers to assist in making sure this happens.
  • What are the expectations of staff in lesson delivery?
    • Staff will be delivering just one unit of work, this is the same whether the student is at school, engaged in online learning through Google Classroom or catching up at Zoom (or other methods) with the teacher.
    • Each teacher will devise a sequence of lessons which will enable the content to be delivered online. The current order of topics in the subject and assessment tasks may change.
    • Teachers may use ZOOM (or other means), to touch base with students twice a week, these opportunities are vitally important.
  • Is there an opportunity to ask questions of the teacher?
    • Opportunities are available for students to ask questions through email, Zoom lessons, or the Google Classroom. Please remember that teaching staff are not required to engage with this outside of normal teaching hours.
  • How will the teacher be engaging with my child?
    • There are a number of methods as outlined above, the key methods will be Google Classroom, Email and Zoom. Telephone calls will also be made to students who are finding it difficult to engage, to give the personal support needed.
  • What is the expectation of my child during a Zoom Session?
    • Students are expected to attend each contact session (ZOOM or otherwise). A roll will be taken and phone calls to parents will be made by teachers for students not engaging in these sessions. The goal is to support all students to continue their learning through this time period of physical distancing.
    • The school has a policy regarding appropriate use of technology in the classroom setting, this policy applies equally at home in the meeting, as it does here at school in the classroom.
    • Actions such as recording sessions privately, posting screen shots of teachers or other students, all go against this policy and will be dealt with appropriately. This could mean that students are removed from the meeting, and dealt with according to our current discipline policy, which could see students suspended and thus missing valuable interactive learning opportunities and support.
  • What are our Rules for Remote Learning?
  • Be on time to scheduled lessons. Be prepared by having all work completed and all equipment necessary.
  • Find a space that is private and free from background disturbances.
  • Phones and electronic devices are to be switched off.
  • Do not eat, drink, or play with objects while in a conference. Your focus should be on the content of the lesson.
  • Your video must be off for all the lesson. If you are asked to turn your microphone off, you must do so. Teachers will also be in control of your microphone to unmute as required.
  • If contacting a teacher by email or on a chat room, remember your manners. Using greetings, please, thank you. Also remember that teachers have other commitments and may not answer your email immediately and that although teachers may respond to you out of working hours, they are not obliged to.
  • Remember that is illegal to record images or audio of others without their permission.

REMEMBER, YOUR DIGITAL CLASSROOM IS NO DIFFERENT TO YOUR NORMAL CLASSROOM. THE SAME RULES REGARDING YOUR BEHAVIOUR, EFFORT AND APPLICATION APPLY.

  • What if I have limited access to devices?
    • If you need support to provide a suitable device, we are able to provide a limited number of students with devices. Please call the school to arrange the pick-up of a laptop.
    • If Internet access is an issue, please contact us so that we are aware of this and can make adjustments as necessary.  There may be the ability to provide wireless internet access at a later date.
  • I am having trouble with the technology who can I call to get help?
    • Our Technical Support Officer  - Mr Ali Zulfiquar is happy to assist students (parents/guardians) for any IT related help remotely.

He would prefer text initially and then he will return your call.

Phone Number:- 0426 812 110 , please remember that this is during normal school hours only.

  • What if I can’t get my child to engage in the learning?
    • Please contact the Deputy who may be able to offer some strategies to assist.
    • As a parent, think about what may be hindering their engagement, is the work too hard? Is it the way the work is presented? Is it just one subject they are having problems with? Is the work boring in their mind? Would they just prefer to be doing something else?

Answers to these questions can help to address the issue.