Dear Parents/Carers,
Well, it’s feeling a little like groundhog day…
We are dab hands at this remote learning game these days and I find myself feeling proud of the speed at which we have been able to transition this early in the term. I am hopeful that with the five days we will see settled numbers and be back onsite again with reduced restrictions from Wednesday next week.
It is frustrating for sure, and does certainly take its toll, but with positive thinking and active support we will do our very best to make it as easy as possible.
Again throughout this round of remote learning the children will have access to their teacher through the remote classroom platforms and will have daily class meets, small groups and 1-1 support where needed. Tasks will be posted the evening before, ready for the next morning and attendance on the platforms will be recorded by the end of each day.
From Monday morning our Learn From Home packs will be available on the website too - this is for those of you who prefer the paper packages: https://sites.google.com/education.vic.gov.au/lfh-with-pps/home
We are offering some on-site supervision - same as previously. This is limited to those of you who qualify through the department’s criteria:
Children where both parents and/or carers are considered 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 essential workers, working outside the home in order for their children to be eligible for on-site provision.
For single parents/carers, the essential worker must be working outside the home in order for their children to be eligible for on-site provision.
Children experiencing vulnerability, including:
children in out-of-home care;
children deemed vulnerable by a government agency, funded family or family violence service, and assessed as requiring education and care outside the family home;
children identified by a school or early childhood service 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).
If you require on-site supervision at any stage please call me on 0413 440 871. If you require any help or support with access to the online platforms again please contact either your class teacher, myself or Michelle.
It is super sad that we have had to postpone the Trivia Night again, third time lucky maybe…
We are not planning to cancel or postpone any upcoming events as yet and will make these decisions closer to the time if needed.
STAFFING NEWS:
Many of you will already be aware that Liz O'Meara (Y4/5 teacher) left us over the holiday break. We are happy to announce that we have been able to replace Liz very quickly with a teacher who comes highly recommended from Waverley Meadows PS. Brigitte Memmolo will join the Y4/5 team on Monday. She has been chatting with the team today and is all ready and prepared to run the remote learning platform on Monday. If you get the chance, pop into the class meet and say hello! I am sure you will welcome her to the Parkhill community.
On another note, I was informed earlier in the week that the Department of Education has found a liaison principal to cover my period of leave. David Wells was previously the substantive principal at Canterbury PS for 12 years. He then moved out of that role to become a liaison principal and has since been placed at Manchester PS and Kilsyth PS. He will take post at Parkhill as of 27th August. In the meantime David will be joining us for handover and transition and will work closely with myself and the team to get to know the children and community as best he can. David brings with him a wealth of experience which will be a great asset to Parkhill in the time he is here with us. I am hoping many of you will get to meet David soon.
SWIMMING:
Please note some of the times shared in the last newsletter have been changed - please double check your child’s swimming session.
