Principal's Message
Remote Learning
Thank you to all our wonderful families for your adjustment to learning from home. Teachers are very pleased with the engagement of students with their learning and how well they are adapting. Each and every family has developed a plan that works for them. I understand the pressure that remote learning can have on families, particularly when parents are working from home. Whilst learning is important, your wellbeing is even more so. If you’re concerned about all tasks not being completed, please don’t be. Reach out to the classroom teachers and simply let them know. My advice is to just do your best and don't compare yourselves to other families, there is no one size fits all approach to remote learning. At the end of all of this, teachers will work to fill any gaps from this period of learning that may need to be revisited.
I have been over to Amaroo School to see our students and the general site in action. After some refinement there is certainly a good system in place and our students are well cared for. Ngunnawal has maintained a commitment to a rotation of our teachers and school leaders each day to ensure our students are successful. I have observed our children commencing their learning swiflty and feeling comfortable in a new setting. A huge thank you to the NPS staff including administration, BSO, learning support and teaching staff who have supported our children with remote learning at home and in supervised sites.
For some of our families, remote learning will finish up this week, for others there will be a transition back to school over several weeks.
This week our school is prioritising planning for our students to return, we can’t wait to see you all! A significant aspect of this planning are our strategies to minimise adult physical contact. Please be aware of how things will work a little differently, particularly for adults:
Communication
Our preferred method of communication is email. If you need to speak with a teacher, school leader or the front office please send an email and we will get back to you as quickly as possibly. There is a limit of 3 adults in our foyer at any one time.
Transitions at the beginning and end of each day
The school will be heavily reliant on our families maintaining social distancing at this time. We ask that you resist the temptation to gather in the courtyard to catch up. Your family may even identify a new meeting point.
Kindergarten Handover
We recognise the handover in the kindergarten area is very busy so teachers will be bringing their classes out to the courtyard. Please stand back from classroom doors and wait until your child's class is organised and the teacher is able to see you to direct your child to walk to you.
We anticipate some teething problems with this but please be patient and work with us we get this system working to keep you all protected.
Riding and Walking to School
Where possible we encourage you to walk or ride to school to ease the congestion in the car park. There will be a teacher on duty in the courtyard so parents have the option to drop children close to 9am and leave the area. When the bell goes children will be directed to line up as usual. We ask if families can say goodbye at this time and limit entry to classrooms.
K-6 Car Park - Unaipon Ave
Drop Off K-6
We are asking adults to remain in their cars for pick up and drop off where possible. We know some children will struggle with transitioning back to school, our friendly staff will support you if needed.
The school will have several staff in the carpark each morning to support families to drop their children off. There will be an executive teacher on duty in the courtyard to provide supervision before 9am.
We will be directing people to enter via the gates versus through the front office.
Pick Up K-6
Pick up in the front carpark will work in the same way, please remain in your car and we will direct students to you when your car has stopped moving.
Preschool – Wanganeen Ave
Remember when waiting outside to social distance from each other. This will be hard when we have had limited contact with people but important in keeping everyone safe.
Preschool Drop Off
We ask that one adult bring each child into the school. Teachers will meet children outside the classroom. If you can, say your goodbyes before the children enter the building. We know some children will struggle with transitioning back to school, our friendly staff will support you if needed.
Preschool Pick Up
In the afternoon we are asking for our adults to wait outside the classroom. Your child’s teacher will send your child out to you.
What do I do if I have loaned a device?
While students are learning remotely they are able to continue to use school devices on loan to them. Once your child returns to school please return the device and charger to the school library. All of our devices are on loan so we will not be able to incorporate technology in learning programs until we have a good number of devices returned.
What will learning look like when my child returns to school?
When your child returns to school we will be prioritising the following:
- building positive relationships
- arts and play
- literacy and numeracy
In week 7 all year levels will commence our Humanities and Social Sciences learning units with a focus on indigenous perspectives and truth telling.
What will learning look like for Years 3-6 during week 4?
For years 3,4, 5 and 6 all of our teachers will be on site providing face to face learning programs or delivering remote learning.
For those students in Years 3-6 who are coming to school in week 4 please go to the following areas:
Year 3- line up outside 3SB Brindabella building
Year 4- line up at Year 4 lines area outside Kosciuszko buiding
Year 5/6 - line up at 5/6NG, 5/6MN Budawang building
Students need to bring their devices so they can continue connecting with their class and completing tasks in the morning session.
The specialist teacher remote learning schedule will now discontinue. Specialists will post one task on Monday for students to complete at a time of their choosing. There will be no specialist Q and A time during week 4.
How can we help keep everyone healthy?
In preparing for returning to school please discuss good hygiene practices as a family:
BASE Reports
‘BASE Reports’ (previously known as PIPS reports) were due to be issued this week, however due to the global issues caused by COVID-19, the Directorate has yet to receive the dataset needed in order to produce these reports. As soon as it is received, the Directorate will endeavour to quality assure the data and provide feedback to schools for distribution.
As is the case with any aspect of your child’s education, should you have any concerns, please discuss with the school/classroom teacher as they are best placed to provide quality feedback.