Remote Learning

Term 3 2020 -  Stage 4 Restrictions

The Victorian Government announced that, on the advice of the Victorian Chief Health Officer,metropolitan Melbourne will move to Stage 4 restrictions to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

These requirements apply to all schools across all schools in metropolitan Melbourne. The changes to schools’ operations will come into effect from Wednesday 5 August, following a student free day on Tuesday 4 August, and are likely to apply until the end of Term 3.

As outlined in the Chief Health Officer’s advice on Friday, schools remain safe places for staff and students – but these steps are critical measures to reduce the movement of students and families across the state. There are implications for our school, and for families in our school community. A summary of what the changes mean for schools is below.

PREP TO YEAR 10
Prep to Year 10 students will continue with remote and flexible learning. The criteria for students that can attend on-site has changed as follows:

• children whose parents are permitted workers. The Victorian Government will provide further advice about this over the coming days
• vulnerable children in out of home care, children known to child protection and other agencies and children the school identifies as vulnerable
• children with a disability who also fit one of the above two categories.

TIMELINE
Monday 3 August will be a ‘normal’ day of school under current arrangements, with students attending on site learning asked to take all their necessary learning materials home.

• Tuesday 4 August will be a student-free day across Victoria to enable teachers, especially in rural and regional Victoria, to prepare for flexible and remote learning
• Wednesday 5 August will be the first day of new arrangements for schools across Victoria

STAFFING
Schools will ensure sufficient staff are available for necessary on site supervision.
Staff not required for on site supervision will work from home.

Term 3 2020 - Remote Learning

To increase physical distancing across the population and slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), Prep to Year 10 students attending schools in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, must move to remote and flexible learning from the start of the second week of Term 3.

OLGC Learning / Devices / Take-Home Packs

Teachers will email parents with specific details for each child's class. If students require a device please email [email protected]. Devices will be available on Friday along with the take-home packs. Please watch for an email of staggered pickup times to ensure physical distancing.  

Onsite Supervision

Once again, we will provide an onsite supervision program for students during remote learning. This program is available for students:

• with a disability
• of essential workers
• in out-of-home care
• deemed by Child Protection and/or Family Services to be at risk of harm
• identified by the school as vulnerable (including via referral from a family violence agency, homelessness or youth justice service, or mental health or other health services).

With the expectation that there will be more students needing supervision during this time, the above criteria will be important in identifying those with the highest needs. If there is at least one parent at home, then students will be expected to learn from home. Every case will be dealt with individually.

COVID-19

The latest information about coronavirus (COVID-19) and schools is available on the Catholic Education Melbourne website:www.cem.edu.au/Coronavirus.aspx. Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has confirmed that the use of face masks or coverings by adults or children is not recommended in schools at this time. As has always been the case, students who wish to wear face masks in school and when going to and from school may do so.

Based on guidance from Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, in order to support community awareness of the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) and to help identify students displaying symptoms, all schools located in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will commence temperature screening of students while the 'stay at home' restrictions are in place.

And, finally, a reminder that if you, your child or a family member develop symptoms of a fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, or loss of smell or taste, you should get tested at a coronavirus (COVID-19) testing facility and stay home. If you test positive, please notify me asap.

If you would like health information from the Department of Health and Human Services, you can visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus. I will continue to communicate with you as soon as we receive further information.

Thank you for your ongoing support to ensure we all stay safe and well. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Term 2 2020 - Return to School Plan

Thank you for all your support during these past few weeks of remote learning.

Following advice from the Chief Health Officer, the Victorian Government and the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd (CECV) have advised that schools can begin a phased return to onsite schooling. At OLGC we are excited to have our students and staff back onsite as we begin to reconnect with the community. While restrictions are being lifted, we still need to remain vigilant with hygiene and social distancing practices. To support the health and wellbeing of all students and staff, our school will continue an enhanced cleaning routine and will encourage frequent handwashing.

The return to school will take place in two stages. This will give the Victorian Chief Health Officer and Government time to monitor and evaluate the effects that the staged return to school has on the increased movement of people and virus transmission within the community.

Stage 1: 25 May – 5 June

• OLGC will begin a staged return from Monday 25 May 2020, starting with a pupil-free day. This will enable staff to plan for a successful transition back to school.

• Students in Prep – Year 2 will return to on-site schooling on Tuesday 26 May. The existing remote learning program will not continue for these year levels.

• Students in Year 3 – Year 6 must continue to learn from home and will continue to be supported by their teacher to learn remotely. Students who are currently attending school will continue to be supported through the supervised program.

 Stage 2: from 9 June

• Students in Year 3 – Year 6 will return to on-site schooling on Tuesday 9 June. OLGC will no longer offer a remote learning program. All students are expected to return to on-site schooling.

Term 2 2020 - COVID-19

The Victorian State Government has announced that all Victorian Schools will implement Remote Schooling effective 15 April 2020. This decision has been made to increase physical distancing across the population and prevent the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19). 

All students at Our Lady of Good Counsel Primary School will commence Remote Schooling on 15 April 2020 at home except for:

• children of families in essential services, with no alternate arrangements
• children deemed by Child Protection and/or Family Services to be at risk of harm
• children identified by the school as vulnerable.

The safety and wellbeing of our school community will remain our highest priority with physical distancing provisions being made for the safety of students and staff. If your child has been granted permission to attend school, your child will be supervised whilst undertaking the Remote Schooling program which has been designed by our school and the same program as those children learning at home. 

In addition, your child’s teacher will not necessarily be supervising your child on-site, but will continue to support your child through the Remote Schooling program. If your situation changes and the need arises to send your child to school, please contact me. This will enable us to ensure that we have sufficient staff on duty to supervise students in attendance.

I appreciate that this is a very challenging time for all in our community and your cooperation with our Remote Schooling program is very much appreciated. A Remote Learning Plan has been prepared and we wish you to know that we are here to support you and your child. School staff will be available throughout the Remote Schooling program and you are asked to make contact directly with your child’s teacher if there are any concerns about your child’s wellbeing or learning program.

During this difficult time, we must all take care to support one another. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who may be unwell, and those who are working to keep our community safe. If you require further information please contact me at [email protected]