Dear Parents and Carers,

This week we have formally launched into ‘remote learning’ for students who are remaining at home due to the COVID-19 situation. The school is providing online learning for students at home and at school. We are only four days into this new world and many students are embracing online learning in a very positive way. The teachers are working harder than ever to monitor student progress and are to be acknowledged for the many additional hours they are working each day to stay on top of this new delivery of learning. Today through Compass, you will receive some further recommendations from each grade regarding work completed by the students and other organisational details.

However, we are receiving feedback about the reality of trying to conduct online learning in the home environment when there are a number of children and conflicting educational needs. I strongly encourage families to contact teachers through the shared technology platforms and seek support where needed. Teachers and staff are here to support you. During this next week each family will receive one or two phone calls from a staff member including the class teacher, to see how things are going. These phone calls will occur on a regular basis as we move forward into Term 2. We are genuinely interested in supporting students and families. Thank you to our parents and grandparents who are able to accommodate the children at home during this time.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian was very clear about why children should remain at home unless their parents have essential jobs or are the sole income earner. For health reasons, I strongly urge parents to keep children at home next week if there is a non-working parent available to supervise the children. The students who have attended school this week have been able to adapt to the online learning and are equipped to be successful at home if there is a non-working parent able to assist. The school is fully committed to supervising students at school whose parents are in essential jobs.

Today the Hon. Sarah Mitchell, MLC, NSW Education Minister reflected on the impact of remote learning on families and school staff. While acknowledging the immense work of educators around the country, the Minister recommended the following:

• Try to maintain a calmness with this new delivery model of learning.
• Don’t worry about getting all of the possible schoolwork completed that is set by the teacher.
• If it is not a great day, let it go and do something different with the children eg cooking or a YouTube workout or whatever.

My own advice is the same as the Minister. Set up a quiet environment and only do 2-3 hours online learning maximum per day. Some students will choose to do more and there is plenty to keep all students occupied. If you are experiencing frustration or difficulties, contact your child’s teacher through the recommended communication channels. Teachers are available online between 9am and 3pm every day.

We do worry about the impact of social distancing (in some cases isolation) on everyone’s wellbeing. I encourage parents to research some of the available websites to assist their family with wellbeing during this difficult time.

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

Mr Christopher Paton