Resources from ReachOut
ReachOut is an online mental health organisation for young people and their parents. They have developed a range of support resources to help teenagers, parents and schools through the coronavirus pandemic.
The resources range from explainers and tips on common problems, through to online forums and structured 'online classroom' activities.
A few examples of ReachOut resources:
- Helping your teen with study stress during COVID-19
- A guide to dealing with constant change because of COVID-19
- Parents discussion forums: Share concerns, ask for help and hear from other parents
- Stories from young people: How they're coping with the coronavirus situation
- Classrom resources for schools: Dealing with uncertainty and stress, flexible thinking and more.
Home learning for children with additional needs
The Education Department has a special web page for parents of children with additional needs.
The advice includes:
- Working with your child's school
- Time management
- Information and support for specific disabilities
- Structuring the Home Environment for Children with Developmental Disabilities
- Understanding learning difficulties for parents: a practical guide
Education Department wellbeing resources
The Education Department has published a suite of new resources to help parents support the wellbeing and mental health of their children. These resources are available on the Department’s website: Managing screen time, health and wellbeing.
These resources cover a range of topics including:
- Looking after your child’s wellbeing
- Looking after your child’s mental health
- Wellbeing activities and conversation starters to promote wellbeing
- Keeping your child active
- Healthy eating
- Being safe online
- Taking care of yourself
Keeping learning going
- How do we design and deliver great remote lessons?
- How do we design great learning sequences?
- How do we keep our learners motivated and engaged?
Education Changemakers has developed a set of resources for teachers, school leaders and parents to 'keep learning going' in the current lockdown.
There are separate toolkits for primary and secondary schools.
You can browse and download the resources on the Keeping Learning Going website.
Fundraising in a time of Covid
Many Parent Clubs will be asking, "How can we fundraise in this crazy time of remote learning, reduced incomes and uncertainty?" Our friend Mandy the Fundraising Whisperer has some answers. She has published a list of 'Covid-friendly' fundraisers that she says will still work in these difficult times. Tea-towels, books, gifts with kids' artwork on them... there are still fun ways to build community and raise some cash!
For senior students: VTAC guides
The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) has launched new online guides for senior secondary students:
- The guide for year 10 students provides information about subject selection, prerequisites, and the ATAR.
- The guide for year 11 students provides information about course research and choosing year 12 subjects.
- The guide for year 12 students provides a detailed overview of the application process including researching and making decisions about tertiary courses. All guides are available at the VTAC website
Advice in languages
The Education Department has advice for parents about remote learning for their children in 25 languages.
You can dowload an advice sheet that covers setting up a learning environment, student responsibilities, mental health and wellbeing, and many other topics.
(And if you can't read Arabic, Dinka, Hindi or Vietnamese, the heading reads, "Learning from home: information for parents and carers".)
Education Department COVID-19 hotline
The Department of Education and Training has a COVID-19 hotline.
You can ask questions regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) and schools by calling 1800 338 663,
The hotline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Physical distancing and family wellbeing
We've featured the excellent resources from the Raising Children website here before. As parents deal with the second lockdown in Melbourne and prepare for remote learning in Term 3, this article might be particularly helpful.
The article is about looking after your family's wellbeing under physical distancing restrictions, by:
- Making the most of family time
- Using routines
- Staying connected
- Managing conflict.
Parent helpdesk - children with complex needs
In response to COVID-19, YarraMe School has established a Help Desk for parents and carers to assist in supporting primary-school children with complex needs who are learning from home.
