Principal's Page - Pat Ellis
Thank you for the amazing feedback we have received about our Remote Learning Plan. Feedback has been that it is simple to follow and straight forward. We have also had feedback about too many apps, however others have welcomed the variety that we have with Reading Eggs, Wushka, Prodigy etc. They all serve a specific function to support what we are doing with remote learning.
As we have said through all of this, please just do what you can. If something isn't working, leave it and move onto the next task. All good. We are trying to be as flexible as possible. If you only focus on a couple of things a day, reading a story, 
writing (something about their day) and the Maths lesson, then that is a win. Build from there.
Please reach out if you need any help at all.
MSTeams Conferences
Thank you everyone for your patience today. We will get there with the conferencing. An issue we came across was, when using an ipad at home, the pop up for the call (when teachers are calling) doesn't occur, which is why parents were having difficulty answering the call.
We have to schedule the meeting and then join. On your end, you should be able to see your calendar (it is hidden down the bottom). There are two tabs at the bottom of the ipad which will have 'Teams' and 'Assignment' (I think for everyone). There is a little red line - that red line when pressed brings up the other apps within MSTeams, one of them being activity or calendar. When you click on one of these, you will see a schedule meeting and you can join the meeting. Sorry, another step. 
Those using MSTeams on a computer or iphone doesn't seem to have any issues (that I know of).
We will get there, this week was about making sure all of this works.
Class Roll
To maintain our class roll records and identify children are engaging in their learning each day, teachers will be monitoring student activity. A short post to MSTeams each morning with the child saying hello or good morning, will mean the teacher sees they are working. We know the 'school day' looks differently in every house, so it doesn't have to be in the morning, whenever during the day. It might even be a post to seesaw, a conference that day etc. As long as teachers see that a child is present in learning, they will be marked as attending school. Should a child be not well enough to participate in learning it is the responsibility of the supervising parent to communicate the child’s absence via an email to the teacher or the school app.
Assessment and Reporting
While we are currently waiting on information regarding the look of the mid-year report, assessment and reporting will continue through our remote learning program. Teachers will be providing regular feedback to work submitted in a timely manner and the level of engagement in the various learning activities provided. The one-on-one conferences will be the most informative way feedback is provided to students each week during remote learning.
Future Planning
I have spoken to many parents who are asking when are we going back to classes. Please know, that the normal 'classes' that we are used to are a while away from coming back. We are working on plans to start increasing attendance throughout this term. We are keen to start small and build.
Week 1 and 2 of this term will remain as we are now. I am imagining in the weeks after that we will be able to start increasing attendance and start getting students back on school site in smaller numbers.
Through the transition back to 'normal', we will still be delivering one mode of teaching which will be remote learning. This is to assist that all students at anytime are receiving the same instruction and learning opportunity.
I note in recent media reports that now the commentary has turned to 'students falling behind'. Please note that this is our job, our profession. We are the experts in the field of education. We will support all students to get back into the routine and structure of school once they start returning. Our job is to fill any gaps, at anytime, for any student. Generally speaking, over the Christmas break students have 6 weeks of no school and for many, no academic 'school type' learning occurs. Students start the year and don't take long to get back into the swing of things. Over this remote learning period, apart from the 2 weeks holidays, all students have been engaging in some form of learning. So, despite what is being reported, I don't imagine there will be significant gaps forming for students.
Please continue to critique studies, expert opinions and commentary at the moment that is being provided via media and social media. Whilst we are all searching for answers at the moment, please know that of any one in the community, teachers are the ones wanting things to go back to normal more than anyone. We also know what is effective within a classroom/school setting to ensure success for every child, and this will remain our centre of focus moving forward and transitioning back to increased attendance.
Please take care.
Enjoy the week ahead.
Regards,
Pat Ellis
Principal