Dear Parents
As we come to the end of the first week of Term 3 and Home-Based Learning (HBL), I would like to thank the school community for the way that students, parents and teachers have so willingly transitioned to HBL. This situation is not easy on anyone of us, but we will continue adapting to the challenges and making life as normal as possible for our children.
Student Attendance
During the next fortnight, the current length of HBL, we will continue to provide a daily schedule of learning for the students. Teachers will be working from home and onsite, supervising HBL at school. For students needing to come to school, they will be supervised but there will be no face-to-face teaching. While any child who needs to come to school will not be turned away, I ask you to consider the NSW Health recommendations for minimising travel in the local community.
Drop off and Pick up
For parents who need to drop their children at school, I encourage you to use the King Street carpark to drop off and pick up. This will operate daily. This is to minimise contact with each other. If you need to visit the school, enter via Gordon Street but only as far as the foyer. You will need to wear a mask and sign in using the QR code.
Zoom
The Zoom calls this week have allowed students and teachers to connect. While there were some teething issues, they have allowed for face-to-face interaction. Teachers will continue using Zoom three times a week where they will be asking children to share work, answer and ask questions and even sing a song or two!
While there is a desire by some to host regular online classes through Zoom, this is not practical in the primary setting, but more a secondary approach. There needs to be a balance for students between online time, individual work and physical activity.
Routines and Privacy
For HBL, it is important to set routines for your children. Dedicate a space for learning and provide basic equipment nearby such as paper, pencils etc. For Zoom calls, ensure your child is suitably dressed and in an open area.
Expectations
Do not feel that your child must finish every task each day. HBL may continue for longer than predicted and we need to sustain ourselves and our children. In the same vain, teachers have been working long hours in preparing, monitoring and commenting on the children’s work. Teachers may have over 200 tasks by the end of the day to respond to and this takes time. Please be patient and they will provide feedback in due course.
Week 2
Teachers will be posting Monday’s online materials on Sunday evening. I encourage students to stick to school hours with their work, however, choose what works best in your home. The Department of Education recommends between 2.5 - 3 hours of learning from Kindergarten to Year 6 each day for HBL. As a school we are providing these hours with additional activities for those who need them and prioritising activities if there is too much for some.
Check- Ins
If they haven't already done so, teachers will be checking in with families with a phone call over the next fortnight. If calling from their personal mobile phone, No Caller ID will be used. Please check your messages if you do not answer. Once again, I encourage you to contact the school if you need any support or you have questions or concerns over HBL.
Fr Dave
Our Parish Priest, Fr Dave Austin, has provided us with a video message which you can access below. The message is a personal one and provides encouragement during this difficult time.
It is also Fr Dave’s birthday this weekend and on behalf of the students, teachers and parents, “Happy Birthday Fr Dave”!
I thank you again for your support of the school and of each other during this challenging time. I pray for our community and ask that the Lord watches over all of us and keeps us safe.
God bless,
Michael Gallagher
Principal
