'Back to classoom' begins
Exciting day for many of our school families as more students return from today and the remaining metro year 8 to 10s go on 26th Oct.
Note state schools are permitted to stagger school return across this week to 16th so read your school communications carefully.
Remember:
- Your approved mask
- To physical distance at all school drop off and pick up points
- It's 'drop & go' to keep our Covid cases low
- Socialise safely (no congregating at the school gates move away to the location you can do this within the rules)
- Ask your school any questions if needed
Return to school - PV media comment
The Age reported today on Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's call for all Victorian students to return to on-site schooling. PV Executive Officer Gail McHardy is quoted in the article. Gail said it was important to base the decision on expert health advice. "At this point in time they are still finishing off the modelling on 7 to 10s," she said. Gail also commented that schools and the Education Department would need to make sure that young people receive strong support, educationally and regarding their wellbeing when they return.
Good news... but stay safe
All primary school students in metropolitan Melbourne will return to on-site learning from Monday 12 October. Schools may stagger the return of year levels during that week, with all students to be back on-site by Friday 16 October.
PV Executive Officer Gail McHardy welcomed the news but urged parents to remain vigilant around COVID-19 precautions. See all Gail's comments in this article in the Age.
In a memo to schools, Education Departement Deputy Secretary David Howes said, "A critical aspect of the return to on-site learning will be a strict enforcement of physical distancing requirements at the start and finish of the school day." Schools have been asked to provide clear communication and signage for parents about physical distancing at drop-off and pick-up times. Schools may also implement staggered start and finish times to ease congestion.
Should students repeat a year because of COVID?
PV Executive Officer Gail McHardy was interviewed on 3AW recently on the question of whether students should repeat a year because of the COVID-19 disruptions in 20202.
Gail said that children are often more resilient than we might think, and that any decision to repeat should be carefully considered, in consultation with the student, parents and teachers.
Gail and host Tony Jones also discussed the importance of good relationships and communication between families and schools in managing the difficulties of remote and flexible learning.
Mindfulness resources for VCE / VCAL students
The Department of Education and Training has partnered with mindfulness program Smiling Mind to produce resources to support VCE/VCAL students to remain positive and engaged in their education during the coronavirus pandemic.
The first of six episodes launched today, and includes:
- A short video
- Online tip sheet
- Mindfulness meditations on taking care of yourself.
Parent payments: PV media comment
According to today's Age, "Government schools have been told not to pursue families who do not pay for essential learning materials such as textbooks, stationery and art equipment, but instead to find ways to pay from their own budgets."
PV Executive Officer Gail McHardy is quoted in the article.
Gail said many parents who previously had the income to contribute to schools’ fundraising efforts were in a worse financial position this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We support principals being able to deliver a quality service but they need to be very mindful that you don’t transfer the responsibility onto the community when the community is already hurting," she said.
COVID resources for Parent Clubs
Now more than ever, your Parent Club is a vital social hub for parents to support each other and share ideas.
Our new website page has tips on how to keep your Parent Club going during home learning.
There's also a chance to share the good things your club is doing. We know that Parent Clubs are coming up with creative ways to keep their vital activities going during the COVID-19 pandemic. Share those ideas around!
PV submission to Vic. Parliament
Parents Victoria has made a submission to the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee of the Victorian Parliament, about the Government's response to the COVID-19 crisis. PV's Gail McHardy also made a verbal submission to the Committee (transcript available below).
The submission focuses on clear communication and strong relationships between schools and families as critical elements in dealing with the impacts of COVID-19 in schools. The submission includes responses from our ongoing parent survey.
We're listening... tell your story
The COVID-19 situation is changing day by day, so we're keeping our parent survey form open... if you have something to say about the way COVID-19 is impacting your children's education, and how that impact flows on to you and your family... we're still listening!
We often have opportunities to advise government departments and other agencies on how the management of COVID-19 is affecting children and parents in the school system, so give us your views and we'll pass them on.
Recent submissions
- In June 2020 we made a submission to Engage Victoria on "Lessons learnt from Remote and Flexible Learning" , in part informed by our online survey.
- In August 2020 we made a submission to the Victorian Parliament's Public Accounts and Estimates Committee on the State Government's response to COVID-19, in part informed by our online survey.
Have your say
What is going well? What are the big problems for you? What could be done better?
We're keeping the format wide open - no questions, just tell your story.
Support services from Beyondblue
If you're feeling worried or struggling to cope during isolation, Beyondblue is there to help.
They are offering:
- Phone support
- Web chat support
- Online community forum
