Student Free Days / Preparation for Online Delivery of Education
Good Friday/Last day of Term
Term 2 commences
Dear Parents and Friends of MTCPS,
I take this opportunity to give you the latest updates in relation to activities here at Mother Teresa Catholic Primary School.
Week 10
This week, the major focus in classroom programs is continuing to follow our curriculum scope and sequence and also to develop readiness for the possible delivery of a Continuation of Learning program.
It is essential that, during the course of this week, our students develop the skills necessary to learn effectively away from school. The specific tasks we are undertaking include
· Sharing Seesaw Home Learning Codes and setting online activities for the students who are attending school, and for those who are currently absent and will be throughout Week 10.
· Providing students with the opportunity to login to all of our online learning programs, so they can do so capably from home.
· Sharing student login details to all of our current teaching and learning programs. Part of our learning process will be to continue using spelling, maths and other programs that students are familiar with. Your child’s individual login details will be emailed to you by the end of the week.
Week 11
The NT Minister for Education announced that ‘the final four days of this school term – Monday 6 April to Thursday 9 April – will be professional development days for staff to prepare for the continued delivery of education in Term 2.’
‘Students will not be required to attend during this time, however, our schools will remain open for the children of essential services workers and for any vulnerable children who may need to attend.’
On these four days, Mother Teresa will remain open to enable school staff to become familiar with the learning from home materials and how they are best delivered, and provide time to prepare take home materials for students as appropriate.
Week 11 provides Mother Teresa staff with the opportunity to:
o Plan work and resources for the possibility of teaching online/ remotely if at the beginning of Term 2 the school remains closed. In the event of the school being closed, Continuation of Learning resources will be sent out to all families via email and the Skoolbag app.
Staff are designing the Continuation of Learning resource with the following parameters in mind;
● Broad based - Activities are broad in content in order to make them accessible to all families.
● Short term - This resource may be developed further if self-isolation is prolonged.
● Independent - Students and families should be able to complete tasks independent of school staff.
● Accessible - With hard copy or digital formats available, we aim to increase accessibility for all.
Beginning of Term Two
If students do not return at the start of Term 2, Continuation of Learning resources will be sent out on the first day of the school week. New work will then be sent out at the start of each subsequent week. Work will cover all subject areas including the specialist subjects. Throughout the week your child’s teacher/s will be in contact with you through email, Seesaw and, where possible, phone calls. Please ensure that the school has your most up to date contact details.
Care for children whose parents work in Essential Services
While the school is currently caring for children whose parents work in essential services, we are yet to be informed by the Northern Territory Education Department what this would look like next term if school remains closed.
School counselling service during school closure
If you are concerned about your child’s responses to school closures now or in the future, Catholic Care provide free counselling services. They can be contacted on (08) 8944 2000 or darwin@catholiccarent.org.au
Contacting the school over the holidays
The school office will not be staffed over the school holidays. If you need to make contact with the school please email admin.mtcps@nt.catholic.edu.au . This email account will be regularly monitored.
Please contact the school on admin.mtcps@nt.catholic.edu.au or 08 7969 5600 if there is any way in which we can assist. If families are experiencing financial difficulties now or in the future please do not hesitate to contact the school.
The Mother Teresa staff community keep in their prayers all who have been affected by the impact of the recent changes.
May you all stay safe and well.
Kind regards,
Denis Graham
Please note that the Back to School vouchers must be used by Friday 3rd. If you have not used your voucher and are in need of uniforms, please contact the office asap. If you have not yet used your voucher and do not need uniforms, the $150.00 can be put towards your school fees. Please contact the office to sign the voucher.
