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Message - Deputy Principal (Learning & Teaching)
Dear Families
As remote learning continues, we thank our parents for their continual cooperation in supporting their child’s learning remotely. We remind parents that devices and solutions for internet support can be accessed by contacting the office.
Here are some suggestions for you to assist in the process of remote learning:
Remember, you are not your child’s teacher…
Children are not being home schooled - They’re actually being schooled by teachers who are working really hard to make the learning as enjoyable and engaging as they can and to support children at home to maintain their continuity with school.
… but you are their parent
Take some pressure off of yourself. Thank you for continuing to support your child to be focused and helping them work through the learning. If your child is not understanding a task or not coping, take a break and then make contact with your child’s teacher.
Stick to a school routine
Get up and dressed and ready to work by the normal school start time.
Take regular breaks
Maybe you’ll only get 15-30 minutes out of your children, so go do some skipping and measure their heart rate, or have an apple and a bit of a wander around then back we come. Teachers will suggest brain breaks! Try to take breaks together if possible, sit in the sunshine, have a cup of tea, have a snack, dance to music, have a run outside or go for a walk!
Organise a learning space
Education department guidelines recommend setting up a “quiet and comfortable” place to learn, ideally in a shared family space such as a living room or dining room rather than a bedroom “where your child can feel isolated and supervision can be more challenging”.
Remote learning hours are not the same as school hours
With younger kids, if you can get a good two hours in and get that right you’re doing well - It’s easier to work with success and build it up, rather than insisting ‘you’re going to be at school for five hours’ and it all ends up in tears.
Make the most of the morning
Try to do the work in the morning if it suits your family. This is generally the time we are all more focussed!
Remember that not all learning is formal
Talking and doing things together is learning -
plant some seeds or take the weeds out or build a tower with Lego. Get your child to cook something with you or go for a walk and talk about what you see or find. Be creative!
Give kids some control
Children will cope better if they have some control over their timetable or at least know what’s on for the day. Make a schedule each morning for when things will be done. Even self directed learning or play time should be in the schedule whilst parents do their work from home!
Keep up social contact
We all know our children are missing their sports activities, friends and family. Maybe work with other parents to say ‘can we set up a Zoom or WhatsApp session at lunchtime or 3 or 4pm so kids can all have afternoon tea and sit around and have a chat with each other for half an hour or an hour?’ Remember: parents should supervise online activity.
Resist the urge to take over
Parents might be worried children are going to fall behind so they want to be in there to make sure they stay on top of things. Sometimes we can undermine the child by doing that. Show your child that you’re interested, but do not take over their work. You can say ‘that’s really interesting, I was listening when you were talking to the teacher about those koalas, I didn’t realise you knew that’.
Be patient and kind to yourself and your children
There will be good and bad days for parents and children - One day might go really well and the next will be a disaster so patience is really important. Allow yourself permission to do what you can do and not what you can’t do – you can’t take on the world.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend and don’t forget to look out for a notice tomorrow with some fun things for families to do in Book Week next week!
Stay safe
Treasa Barwick
Jericho Community Mass
The Jericho community celebrated Mass on Wednesday 18th August, live streaming to the students onsite as well as those at home. The students participated beautifully, reading, praying and responding reverently throughout the Mass.
As Father Denis said last week,
“Lockdown or not, God loves you!”.
We proved that again with Mass for the Jericho community.
Fr Denis Celebrates 42 Years as a Priest
It was an extra special occasion, as we acknowledged Father Denis’ Ordination Anniversary on the same day. He celebrated 42 years as a priest, which is an amazing achievement. It’s hard to imagine how many people have had their faith inspired by Father Denis. He has a beautiful gift for story-telling and pitching to young and old alike.
First Communion Workshops
We managed to complete our First Communion (year 5 cohort) Parent/Child Workshops for this term on Tuesday and Wednesday night this week. Whilst it is not ideal to conduct them online, it was still a chance to learn together about the special sacrament of Holy Communion. Many thanks to Father Denis and Sister Julie for offering their knowledge and insights into the mystery of the Mass.
Just to reiterate for our year 4 students and their families, the First Communion program will be offered next term. Stay tuned for enrolment details, an information night date and workshop dates.
Andrew McDermott
Religious Education Leader
During Remote Learning our clever Junior and Middle students used Digital Technology to create amazing Digital art pieces depicting themselves as Olympians!!!
Well done to our Olympic Artists!!!!
Afternoon School Pick Up
Dear Parents
We have been looking at how we can improve the pick up situation in the afternoons. We are going to allow parents to park in the first row of bays closest to Fiorelli Drive.
Please see the attached car park diagram.
All cars will enter via Gate 1 (closest to Ferrari drive) and either turn right to park or continue with the car pick up loop.
Parents parking will use the pedestrian crossing to collect children from the basketball court.
Parked cars will exit out Gate 2 (closest to Berwick Cranbourne Rd). There will be staff members to assist but I know that our lovely parents will work to take turns and let everyone through.
For those with children onsite for remote learning you can use this parking from today.
Everyone else, we'll look forward to seeing you all when lockdown lifts.
Uniform Reminders
NO HAT, NO PLAY
As we head into spring, and as per our Sun Protection Policy the No Hat, No Play rule will begin from 2nd September 2021.
Students will be required to wear hats when outside (e.g recess, play breaks, lunch, sport and excursions). If a child is not wearing a hat they will be required to stay in an undercover area during these times.
Hats can be purchased from PSW located in Hampton Park
NB: We have a number of unnamed items in lost property. Please clearly label your child's items of clothing so they can be returned to your child if handed to lost property.
Parent Notified Absences (PAM)/ Attendance (Remote Learning)
Parents are required to log their child’s absence/ attendance (remote learning) by 9:30 am. This can be done via PAM or alternatively by contacting the school on 5998 9293.
Please note any unexplained absences will be recorded as an absence against your child’s attendance record.
If you are experiencing any problems logging into PAM, please contact the school for assistance.
Illness
Dear Parents
If your child is unwell, has a fever or has been vomiting or have had gastroenteritis, they must stay at home until they are symptom free for 24 hours. If they are not completely symptom free eg: runny nose, cough they will need a medical certificate to confirm they have recovered and are not contagious in order to attend school.
Change of Clothing (Foundation – Junior students)
Accidents happen, from muddy puddles to tummy troubles; there may come a time when your child needs a change of clothes. Please ensure your child has a spare set of clothing in their bags at all times in the event they are needed.
Term Fees
Dear Families
This is a reminder that for those families who choose to pay their school fees by terms, the due date for these is this Friday 20th August.
I would like to remind families that should you have difficulty meeting the deadline or require assistance please do not hesitate to contact me .
Kind Regards
Nicola Saunders
Book Club Issue 6 is now open and home delivery is available!!
In repsonse to the current lockdowns, Scholastic have added the temporary option for all parents to have their orders sent directly to their homes. This option will enable you to place and receive orders while your children are undertaking schooling at home.
- When parents place their Issue 6 Book Club orders, they'll have the option to select home delivery or school delivery if you have Book Club opened–if not, the default will be home delivery.
- The home delivery option will automatically be added to schools in the lockdown area.
- The home delivery option can be selected by parents at the time of ordering for $7.50
- Any school deliveries will still be sent to the school once you submit your school order.
Please refer to the attched PDF for the current catalgoue
CALENDAR - TERM 3 IMPORTANT DATES
August | |
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Wednesday Aug 25 | Galilee Community Mass - 9:15am |
Friday Aug 27 | Book Week Dress Up Day Google Meet |
September | |
Wednesday Sept 1 | Jerusalem Community Mass - 9:15am |
Friday Sept 3 | Father's Day Breakfast |
Wednesday Sept 8 | Damascus Community Mass - 9:15am |
Wednesday Sept 15 |
Bethany Community Mass - 9:15am |
Thursday Sept 16 |
Footy Sports Teams Day Last Day of Term 3 |
Friday Sept 17 | School Closure Day |
October 4 | TERM 4 Begins |