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Michael Gray, Principal
Dear Parents, Carers, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,
Today marks the formal beginning of our ‘Flexible and Remote’ learning program for Term 3, 2020. Again I thank everyone for your cooperation, help, support and understanding of the need to support and comply with the directives of the Victorian State Government and medical officers.
I particularly note our staff’s amazing focus on support to all learners, I celebrate with confidence our students ‘can do’ attitude and I know families have trust in our school and faith in our ability to help in these unprecedented times.
It is fair to say "Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations!” This statement has certainly resonated with me for 2020! The pandemic road is a rocky challenge; learning continuity for students, policy interpretation for everyone based on state government requirements, constant decision making for families and schools, community responsibility to support and do the ‘right thing”. Ultimately this COVID-19 road is forcing behaviour change and asking us to reconsider what our futures could be. Indeed, big questions for us all!
So what have I discovered as the “beautiful destination?” For me it has been the students; their incredible resilience, positive outlook and their sense of trying to do the best. I have found this to be our school’s guiding light. It helps us stay focused on our mission and sharpens our moral and ethical sensibilities and drives our purpose. To me this is the “beautiful destination”.
I invite all to consider the question; “What is my beautiful destination?” An insight to answers to this question for young students is if you ask them to share “What You Are Grateful For?” Invariably their answers are amazing; they often focus on family, school, friends, pets and community. Students don’t just make this up; they speak their minds, speak from the heart, are honest and show an outstanding understanding of respect. Parents and our school should feel confident in their destinations; they are learning from you, our school, each other and the community.
In today’s newsletter there are many examples of support, help and guidance. I encourage all to check out this newsletter as today and over the weeks, valuable insights, opportunities and support are available to all. One alert I do bring to your attention is that in a ‘flexible and remote’ environment the students will be on devices more often; supervision and monitoring is critical. In each of the learning plans we have encouraged daily physical activity; this is critical to health and wellbeing; learning and positive human development.
I have also included a critical link to the Australian e-Safety Commissioners website. This site is unparalleled in quality information, resources for families and timely advice. The link I have specifically shared, goes to the page about ‘apps’ and student age access. Most recommend 13+. In talking with our students last week, many that have personal devices do have these apps on their ipads or smartphones. This can be problematic as it does open up some worrying access for unsolicited contacts, shared posts that can be aggressive, bullying, sexualised or plain rubbish. If your child has access to these tools it is imperative you have strict rules. You have access, the devices don’t go to bedrooms after 8pm and when they are on-line they are in common areas in the home and you know who is connected via the ‘apps’.
Lyn Hyland has also shared the arrangements for student access to the library over the next 6 weeks and quotes about the importance of checking-in to reading with your child; from Foundation to Grade 6.
We have also completed some minor up-grades this term, new lost property and COVID-19 friendly furniture in our first aide room.
New Lost Property Display
New Sickbay Couch
Charlie Zanos and Frank Farley
Reading and Writing Assignment
Bella Mamone and Eva Pinny
All the best during this time to families.
Regards,
Michael Gray. Principal.
Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week.
Lachlan Gome, Pippa Jones, Rhyleigh Thornton, Sarah McInerney, Zac Beaton, Rhea Sony, Vidhi Jagad, Cooper McCosh, Sienna Johnson, Madison Finnigan and Daisy Greening.
A reminder that if your child is attending Flexible and Remote Learning -onsite they need to bring their:
- Learning Journal
- Pencil Case
- Drink Bottle
- Fruit Snack, Snack and Lunch
Some middle school students were very lucky to speak to Grade 6 students of Doshisha Elementary School in Kyoto, Japan via Google Meet on Monday 27th July. They had a great experience. We will organise another session in Term 4.
Lloyd Sensei and Deguchi Sensei
Hi Everyone, as we are all back into our ‘Flexible and Remote Learning’ program. Listed here are a few reminders on how our Library Resource Centre can support you and your family.
- YES the Library will be open during this time. Borrowing can be done when the school is open BUT would be best in the afternoon from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm as that is when Maureen (Library Assistant) will be available to support students with their borrowing needs.
- Students should arrive to the administration area and enter the LRC from our front door. Parents can park in the Loop but will need to move on before 3:00 pm as cars will be arriving for the daily pick-up.
- Here is a link to a video explaining how to do borrowing for off-site students.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1oo49N_TWZoK9aGouiGm1sWIUaOoSayeC - Students who are onsite will also be able to borrow when necessary.
Books are the cornerstone to learning, promote adventure, wellbeing and academic development. In our school's professional learning community approach to learning, our students daily focus on literacy and numeracy; reading books, or being read too, builds fundamental literacy understanding. It helps comprehension and helps make learning fun and interesting. Reading each day is a health learning behavior.
Reading quotes Barack Obama, former USA President.
"Reading is the gateway skill that makes all other learning possible, from complex word problems and the meaning of our history to scientific discovery and technological proficiency."
“Libraries remind us that truth isn’t about who yells the loudest, but who has the right information."
During the Remote Learning program if your child is unwell and unable to participate in on-line remote learning or attend on-site learning as arranged, please contact the school via our SZAPP. Select the absence tile which now links to PAM where you can select the student and then select "Parent Notified Absences".
Teachers will be contacting students throughout this remote learning period.
Please note that for privacy reasons their phone call may appear as "No Caller ID" or a similiar message.
The aim of Our Diocesan Community is to provide a selection of initiatives, stories and pictures showing the richness and diversity of life in the communities of the parishes and schools of the Diocese.
Copies of the Our Diocesan Community are usually distributed to the eldest child in each family. Digital copies and Diocesan News is available for parents on the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat website.
This is just a friendly reminder to leave some space between yourself and the car in front of you. It can be unpredictable around the streets before and after school, so slowing down and giving some space can help to create a safer environment.
Nicole Wood, Travel Smart Officer, Warrnambool City COuncil.
Free online art classes for all our local parents to help them keep kids entertained during lockdown.