Just when we thought our next challenge was getting used to wearing face masks, we find ourselves returning to remote and flexible learning.
Remote Learning
Over the past two days staff have been preparing for a return to remote learning. We are mindful of the challenges associated with this mode of learning and will continue to learn and adjust as we go. However, based on our experiences in Term 2, the current advice from Catholic Education Ballarat and Catholic Education Commission of Victoria and following our staff meeting yesterday, I can provide you with the following information:
Remote learning will commence from Thursday 6th August.
Access to learning programs will be available through the school’s Home Learning Portal. You will need to be logged into your child’s Google account to access materials. Class teachers will provide this information.
Onsite supervision will be available to:
Children whose parents cannot work from home
Vulnerable children
Any child with a disability
If your child requires supervision at school, we ask that you give us a few day’s notice so we can ensure adequate supervision.
Students being supervised at school will be working through the same program as those students working from home.
The CECV recommended daily minimum guidelines for learning are:
Foundation to Year 2 - 2 hrs 30 min
Year 3 to Year 6 - 3 hrs 45 min
Teachers will be providing a program that meets these guidelines plus links to extra activities should parents require them.
Any video conferences between teachers, learning support officers and students cannot be 1:1, that is, if there is only one student involved, there will need to be another adult present.
Teachers may not always be available for immediate response to messages, for example, they may be rostered to supervise at school. Another teacher from that team may respond.
As in Term 2, we are required to mark the attendance roll each day for all students, whether they are learning from home or being supervised at school. All students will be marked present each day but, if your child is not going to be engaged in the remote learning program on any day, could you please contact the school so we can mark them as being absent.
If there are resources to collect, teachers will inform you and these can be collected from the hall.
No doubt, there will be other things to bring to your attention as we proceed but that is probably enough for now. As I said back in Term 2, please go easy on yourselves and your children. It is most important that everyone is feeling safe and loved. Get a routine going, do what you can do and reach out for any help you may need.
School Arrival & Dismissal
Students requiring onsite supervision are expected to arrive from the usual time of 8:40am and can enter through the usual doors. Dismissal will be at 3:20pm. There won’t be the need for a staggered dismissal with the limited number of students attending.
Triple P - Positive Parenting Program
Triple P online is now available for free to all Victorian families. The Victorian Government has funded the online Triple P – Positive Parenting Program for all Victorian families, providing access to expert parenting advice during these challenging COVID-19 times.
Sporting Schools Program
Once again our Sporting Schools program has gone into recess.
Sick Students
Parents and carers are reminded that if children are ill, they are to be kept at home. If they are displaying cold and flu-like symptoms, they are not to return to school until all symptoms have abated.
Kind regards,
Peter Sanderson
Principal
