COVID-19 and schools: PV media comment

01 June 2020

The Herald-Sun reported on Saturday about concerns of COVID-19 infections in Victorian schools. The article included a comment from PV Executive Officer Gail McHardy:

Parents Victoria on Friday backed schools, saying they were well prepared to deal with any outbreaks.

“The parent community will still have mixed reactions to this latest outbreak when anxiety and uncertainty continues as we head into colder weather,” boss Gail McHardy said.

Gail also made some further comments on behalf of PV which were not reported in the story:

"Both Federal and State CMO's are on record advising us to expect instances like this. The State Government/DET have put in protocols and processes for schools to enact when these situations occur.

It's tricky for families if there aren't any apparent symptoms and at this point we can't blame school environments as the cause when incubation is 14 days. If there is awareness to a family or community cluster then added precautions by us all MUST be taken as a matter of priority to protect others.

It's a Catch 22, do we stay in lockdown because of a few cases or go back as we have in stages and act with caution? Closing down one or two schools caused by an outbreak may only disrupt up to 2000 students compared to 630,000 government school students."

Read the Herald-Sun article. 

Ombudsman's report on nepotism in schools

27 May 2020

The Victorian Ombudsman, Deborah Glass, reported last week on nepotism in our Victorian Public Schools.

In short, her office’s investigations found that there have been several cases of nepotism over recent years, where Principals have employed or given contracts to family members, friends, or business associates, often without advertising the positions or obtaining quotes.

We cannot condone this behaviour, and don’t accept that “not knowing” that such actions are wrong and create a conflict of interest is an acceptable excuse.  However, we do agree with Ms Glass’s statement that,  “Mostly, the subjects of these allegations were well-intentioned, busy people trying to solve problems, who got it wrong.”

As in all communities, the vast majority of Principals are doing the right thing.  It is only a small number who are not.  Yet the media focus is always on these few.  It’s the same when parents are collectively described in the news as aggressive or bullying. 

At this time of additional pressure on everyone, we would like to focus on the great job being done by everyone in our public school communities.

Vale Deb Locco

26 May 2020

You may have seen media reports about the tragic death of Deborah Locco. Deb was well known and respected by Parents Victoria, for her work in support of families in the DET South Eastern Victoria Region. Yesterday our Executive Committee sent the following message to DET Deputy Secretary, David Howes:

Parents Victoria was greatly saddened to hear the tragic news about Deborah Locco today.  We know this news will be extremely difficult to hear and process, with a huge impact to her family and both her work colleagues and friends.

PV would like to express our condolences and heartfelt sympathy to all.  Please extend our heartfelt condolences to all the regional and central office employees close to Deb and that we're thinking of you all.

With deepest sympathy, on behalf of the 2020 Parents Victoria Executive Team  

The Education Department has issued its own statement about Deborah. 

The statement says, in part:

Deb was a much loved and admired colleague.

She was known to thousands of Victorian educators through her career as a Mathematics teacher, acting principal at Chandler Secondary College, principal at South Oakleigh Secondary College and her many regional roles, including as Acting Regional Director of the South Eastern Victoria Region.

At her heart she was a passionate educator, who always placed students first and had an unwavering commitment to supporting teachers and principals.

Read the full statement on the Education Department website

Thank-you message from the Education Minister

25 May 2020

To all principals, teachers and education support staff in Victoria, thank you!

Preparing students for return to school

25 May 2020

The Sunday Herald-Sun published an article yesterday titled 'How parents can prepare students as kids return to classrooms'. The article quoted PV Executive Officer Gail McHardy and included some tips provided by PV. The article is behind a paywall but you can read it if you have a Herald-Sun subscription. 

From the article:

Parents Victoria executive officer Gail McHardy said there was a level of anxiety, mixed with excitement, as schools resumed for preps to Year 3 and Year 11 and 12 students tomorrow.

“We all need to be open to dialogue between home and school about how best we all manage the transition back effectively,” Ms McHardy said.

Read more: Preparing students for return to school

Return to school: a trauma informed approach

22 May 2020

"All adults are doing heroic efforts to buffer their children and students. I see a lot of anxiety about how children are coping and worry over the potential long term consequences of this academic disruption. What I want to highlight is the need to take into account the potential emotional responses our children will show upon their return to school..." 

This article from clinical psychologist Dr Tara Quinlivan of Raft Psycholgy in Melbourne explores some strategies that parents might use to help their children in the transition back to school.

Read more: Return to school: a trauma informed approach