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!

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.

Strategies include:

• Establish the school routine in advance
• Give names to the feelings kids express about going back to school
• Stay calm yourself
• Communicate wth your school
• ... and many more.

VCE exams and results

22 May 2020

"VCE students will begin their exams in early November and have results by the end of the year, the state government has announced."

This article from the Age reoprts on Education Minister James Merlino's announcement today of the arrangements for VCE exams and results.

Read the Age article

Trial, turbulence and transition: back to school-based learning

21 May 2020

Clinical psychologist Andrew Fuller has published another of his useful guides for parents on how support their children through the 'trial, turbulence and transition' of the COVID-19 crisis. 

This time Andrew focuses on the return to school-based learning. He sets out some priorites, how to plan for and help students through the transition back to the classroom. 

Helping kids with the transition back to school

18 May 2020

"With school resuming in most states after weeks of lockdown, many kids will be busting to see their friends and get out of the house.

But for some, the thought of returning to the classroom is enough to induce a bout of anxiety..."

This article from ABC Life has some useful advice for parents, from teachers, counsellors and anxiety experts. It was published on 15 May at the end of the first lockdown.