The Grapevine Friday 23rd July 2021

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE:

Welcome to Term 3. Unfortunately returning to remote teaching and learning is once again a reality. On a positive note, our staff, students, and families continue to pull together as a community, supporting one another and showing a high level of resilience as overcome this challenge.

Please join me in welcoming 2 new teachers: Katie Clements and Bianca Bajkiwicz, who have joined us this term. Bianca will be teaching Art. Katie will be teaching English as well as providing EAL and MYLNS support. Thank you to our casual relief teachers Stephanie O’Bree, Larissa Cardwell and Kay Wright who continue to provide us with additional support this term. In other staffing updates, Tim Walsh, Anne Rhoden, Savitri Lal and Naomi Schultink will be on leave for Term 3.

Unfortunately, we have made the decision to postpone our Pupil Free Day that was set for Friday 23rd July, due to the lockdown and our guest presenter not being available to join us. Our teachers will continue to provide a remote teaching and learning program for our students on this day and we will notify all families once we have a new pupil free day approved by College Council.

Over the next 3 months, we will be transitioning our newsletter over to a new online platform and app. called Schoolzine. This new mode of delivery will give parents the opportunity to read the newsletter via your phone, translate information into other languages, notify the school of your child’s absence and many other features. We will start transitioning over to Schoolzine very soon, so stay tuned for more information.

I have included below some advice and tips for parents and carers on how to support your children as they learn from home. Please remember that we are here to help you. If you have any questions, need further advice or want some help, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 5026 3704, alternatively, you can also email me directly at: sarah.broster@education.vic.gov.au

LEARNING FROM HOME: INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND CARERS

ADVICE, TIPS AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AS THEY LEARN FROM HOME.

ABOUT LEARNING FROM HOME

The most important thing you can do to help your child learn from home is to continue to provide routine, support and encouragement. No one expects you to be a teacher or subject matter expert.

It is important to keep up to date with communication from your child’s school.

Your child’s school will:

clearly communicate the responsibilities of your child’s teacher as well as what students and parents and carers need to do

provide learning activities for your child to do

communicate with parents and students through their normal channels, for example via the school website, newsletters and email

advise parents and students about the online tools your child can use to support their learning from home.

If you do not have a computer or internet at home, your school will contact you to discuss whether your child needs to borrow one and how your child can receive learning materials.

SETTING UP A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Every home is different. Where possible, learning should take place in a space your family shares. For example, a lounge room or dining room. These spaces are better than a bedroom, where your child can feel isolated and supervision can be more challenging.

It should be a place:

• that can be quiet at times
• where you or another adult is present.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES DURING REMOTE LEARNING

Depending on the age and stage of your child, they may be expected to:

• regularly monitor digital platforms for announcements and feedback from teachers
• do their best work when completing tasks
• do their best to meet timelines and due dates
• communicate openly with their teachers and raise any concerns or issues
• continue to follow their school’s behaviour guidelines.

ESTABLISHING ROUTINES AND EXPECTATIONS

It is important to develop a routine to support your child as they learn from home. This provides an environment that encourages learning.

Start and end each day with a check in to help your child:

• clarify and fully understand the instructions they get from their teachers
• help them organise themselves and set priorities for their learning at home.

Encourage regular exercise breaks. Your school is likely to provide some suggested activities.

Encourage healthy eating habits and make sure they drink enough water.

Try to keep normal bedtime routines for all children, especially for younger ones.

MANAGING SCREEN TIME AND ONLINE SAFETY

As your child is likely to be spending time online, it is important that you talk to them about online safety. This will help them to make good digital choices and use information and communication technologies responsibly.

You may wish to speak to your children about:

• using only the online tools recommended by their school or the Department of Education and Training (DET)
• being respectful when communicating online, just as they would be when speaking face-to-face
• using digital devices in open areas of the home.

For more online safety advice (in English) for parents and carers go to: www.esafety.gov.au

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING CHECK IN

It is important to make time each day to check in on your child’s mental health and wellbeing.

It may take your child some time to adjust to their new routine for learning and changes such as not seeing classmates in person. Every child will react differently to new circumstances – feelings of sadness, frustration, anxiousness and even anger are normal.

You can help your child by:

• providing an opportunity to talk about how they feel and listening to what they say
• identifying things they can do themselves or with you to address any concerns they might have
• asking how they are feeling about learning remotely, and if there is anything they’d like your help with.

If you have any other concerns about the health and wellbeing of your child, please contact your school for help.

ADVICE FOR PARENTS AND CARERS OF CHILDREN WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS

If you child has additional needs, you should talk to their teacher about an individual Student Engagement Plan. This will help guide their learning from home.

The parents’ page of the DET website (www.education.vic.gov.au/parents) has more information in English to help parents and carers support learning from home.

There is also a detailed guide available (in English) called Understanding learning difficulties for parents: a practical guide. It includes practical advice about learning difficulties as well as a list of recommended apps. It is available from www.uldforparents.com 

LITERACY AND NUMERACY RESOURCES AND TIPS

In addition to the resources and materials that your school will provide, you could use the following resources to support your child as they learn from home. These resources are all in English:

Literacy and numeracy:

Tips for parents and carers to build their child's literacy and numeracy skills can be downloaded from www.education.vic.gov.au. Search: get involved in literacy and numeracy

Premiers’ Reading Challenge:

The challenge encourages children and students from birth to Year 10 to read a set number of books over the year and record their efforts online. Register at www.education.vic.gov.au. Search: premiers reading challenge

Mathematics and numeracy at home:

Parents and carers play an important role in helping develop their child’s numeracy skills. Advice and resources for families can be downloaded from www.education.vic.gov.au. Search: mathematics and numeracy at home.

WELCOME TO STAFF

Katie Clements

Katie has joined the staff at the college and is teaching Year 10 and 11 English and VCAL Literacy. She will also be assisting MYLNS and EAL students. Katie has lived in Mildura for nearly 20 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. Before completing her Diploma of Education, Katie spent a few years in tourism, got married and had two children. They are now 19 and 22. She worked in retail for about 7 years She has now been a teacher for 8 1/2 years and has loved every minute of it! Katie has enjoyed her first week here at the college with everyone being so welcoming and nice. “I feel right at home!”

Bianca Bajkieicz

Bianca has joined us from her hometown of Frankston in the Mornington Peninsula. She has a Master of Teaching (Secondary). Bianca was teaching at Mount Eliza Secondary. Her area of work at the school will be as a Visual Arts Teacher, for Foundation – Year 10. Bianca has enjoyed her first week at the college and is impressed with the wonderful diverse group of students.

Travis Bussell is the latest addition to the Our Place Robinvale team. He has joined Our Place in the position of Community Facilitator, with my primary focus being children aged newborn-8 years of age & their families. Travis is passionate about education & community and believes that the education & overall wellbeing of our youth are the building blocks for a successful future. His previous employment focused on engaging young Aboriginal & Torres Strait islander men in education & employment and he is extremely proud to have played a small part in the successes of these young men – Travis now aims to apply his professional skillset to the new role within the Robinvale Community to further assist in the delivery of meaningful services & positive life outcomes. Travis is  approachable, enthusiastic & accepting of feedback and encourages you to reach out to him at any stage where you feel he may be able to assist; and if he is unable to assist, he will do his best to point you in the right direction. Generally, you can find Travis in the Our Place office based at Robinvale College, Monday through to Friday, 8:30AM to 4:30PM, depending on events requiring his attention.

Travis’s contact details are as follows:

Email: travis@ourplace.org.au

Phone: 0481 945 087

Alternatively, pop into the Robinvale College administration building, entrance via 88 George Street, and the office Ladies will be able to assist you.

Travis look forward to working with you!

VIRTUAL CROSS COUNTRY

Unfortunately, we were unable to have the Cross-Country last Friday. Students were encouraged to participate in our ‘Virtual Cross Country’.

Complete a 1km (Years F-4) or 3km (Years 5-12) walk/ run. Students participating need show their distance and time to Ms. Westland (by

emailing sophie.westland@education.vic.gov.au).

Prizes include movie tickets & canteen vouchers.