MESSAGE FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL: SECONDARY
To all in our School Community
As I look back over Term 1, it seems hard to believe that it was only a few weeks ago that we were all cheering at the Inter-House Swimming Carnivals, and the School Prefects were raising money selling icy poles for the people and animals devastated by the bushfires in the Eastern states at the start of the year. Little did we know of the changes to our world that were about to unfold.
It seems that all conversation these days seems to be around COVID-19, hand-washing and social-distancing as we all take on the responsibility of ensuring that we do all that we can to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in our communities.
There is no doubt that moving to online learning has been a steep learning curve for students, staff and parents alike! I have been so impressed with the way that our students have adapted so quickly to this new paradigm; I know that it is particularly hard for them to be away from their friends and friendship groups. I would particularly ask that you keep our Year 12 students in your thoughts and prayers at this time. READ MORE
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAPLAIN
It is really hard to stop oneself using the same phrases about the time we are now living in. Unprecedented times. The once in 100 year event. Unreal. Fulfilment of prophecy.
I have always been a sci-fi / fantasy buff and so much of what is happening around me reminds me of many movie and novel plots, either collectively or individually.
In Jesus’ time, the Jews had been under occupation for decades and their Scriptures predicted that God would send a Messiah to save them. Who was this Messiah to be like … like Moses, like Elijah, like the all -conquering King David? READ MORE
A MESSAGE FROM OUR HEAD OF PRIMARY - MEADOW SPRINGS
Dear Parents and Caregivers
The holidays are upon us, and it seems very strange to be writing about a term that has been the oddest of my forty-year career in education. This term delivered a solid start and then an unexpected twist with the arrival of COVID-19 into the community. It has been very unusual the past three weeks to have very few students on campus and for our interactions to have moved primarily to the virtual world.
Still, I am very thankful and impressed how well everyone has adapted in such challenging times. We must continue to deliver key curriculum learning to the students without requiring our parents to obtain a teaching degree in double-quick time, and this has been our challenge as we have moved to the online delivery mode. The staff have been working tirelessly to upskill using our learning management system, Seesaw and tricks and tips have been shared widely amongst colleagues. A lot of online tutorials have been accessed, and the results are pretty impressive for such a short lead-in time, so thank you, everyone! READ MORE
A MESSAGE FROM OUR HEAD OF PRIMARY - HALLS HEAD
Dear Parents and Caregivers
As a school and local/global community, we find ourselves in a very unique and challenging circumstance; a point in time, in which COVID-19 is at the forefront of our attention, considerations and thoughts. This reality has thrust us into a very different educational delivery, in which we are constantly reflecting and evolving.
While it is not the method of schooling that we long for, I would like to recognise the efforts of everyone in our community. In our second week of online programming, our students have managed the transition very well and are congratulated on their efforts and hard work. So too are the efforts of our staff, who have very quickly adjusted to an online delivery model, while still prioritising the creative and meaningful learning experiences that we provide for our students. As I mentioned in my first video on Seesaw last week, I certainly appreciate the efforts of our parents and family members supporting our students at home. This is no small feat, and I am in admiration of your dedication and flexibility. We will continue to work together and adapt and change our programming as needed.
WELLBEING PAGES ON THE SCHOOL WEBSITE
Our school community is invited to explore the new Wellbeing pages that have been added to the School’s website, accessible via the main top green bar.
Areas within this new section include:
✔️ COVID-19 Wellbeing Support ✔️ COVID-19 Good Hygiene ✔️ Apps and Websites ✔️ Resources ✔️ Finding Help
Our School Psychologist, Ms Amy O’Brien, has been reviewing the School’s wellbeing resources and will continue to add to this section of the School website as the year progresses.
If you or your child/ren need wellbeing assistance during this difficult time, please refer to the ‘Finding Help’ page within the Wellbeing section of the School website. CLICK HERE
ACCESSING THE ONLINE SCHOOL LIBRARY
The School Library page is now available to all staff and students from home via the landing page. Users will need to login through the blue SSO icon.
Library staff have added many links for students to access, including online encyclopaedias, Gale and Infobase databases, Story Box, plus Wheelers ePlatform – and they will continue to add and update.
We hope you can utilise these additional resources for your online learning!
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Open Letter from the Safety Commissioner
The Australian Safety Commissioner has provided an open letter to parents regarding staying safe online during COVID-19 that covers everything related learning at home and how to keep children of all ages safe. Click to read the
eSafety Guide
The below link also provides information about the latest games, apps and social media, including how to protect your information and report inappropriate content. Click to read the eSafety Guide
YEAR 12 PREFECTS AND YEAR 8 STUDENTS – ONLINE KAHOOT QUIZ
For many students, events were cancelled in light of the Covid-19 pandemic – one of them being the 2020 Year 8 School Camp.
For this reason, the 2020 Prefects decided to hold the Quiz Night (which students would have completed on Year 8 Camp) during Period 1 on Friday 3 April. The Prefects, with the help of the teachers, organised the quiz to be online through Kahoot, and had over 140 Year 8 students participate!
Well done to all the Year 8s!
Written by Head Prefects, Cooper Merema and Georgia Payne
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SECONDARY HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION VIDEO – WORKOUT FROM HOME!
Our hilarious, energetic and enthusiastic group of Health and Physical Education Teachers have put together a 10-minute home workout video for all our secondary students (and family members!). Watch some of it on our Facebook page HERE
Secondary students will have access to the full length video via SEQTA.
We would also love to see some photos of your home workouts – so, if you feel like being part of our records for the 2020 Year Book, please email communityrelations@fias.wa.edu.au.
We hope everyone is making the most of this extended time with their families, for those who are able to learn from home at this point in the school term.
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STORIES FOR DOGS
Frederick Irwin Anglican Primary School – Meadow Springs is very excited to have new regular visitors to our school to help our students with their reading. Maki and her dog, Pola, will begin visiting the school every Wednesday, once schooling returns to normal, to help our Year 2 classes with their reading.
The Story Dogs program partners with the classroom teachers to help students with their reading. Maki and Pola will help the same 4 or 5 students each week. The students will come out of their classroom and sit one-on-one with Maki and read to Pola. Pola loves to listen and will not mind if the student makes a few mistakes; she just wants to have a fun time so that books and reading become a joyful experience.
Pola loves to run on the beach, sleep with her cuddly toys and shares ‘pecking’ scrap food with chooks in her garden!
Pola has been practising at home with her new reading rug and books so that she will be ready to help the students. She is super excited about starting.
When school returns and this program starts, we ask that all parents and children do not interrupt or attempt to pat Pola. We do not want her to be distracted from her important job.
If you are interested in volunteering in this rewarding program, please contact Amanda Milroy on 0417993497.
