Return to school: one family's story
PV referred this dad and his son to Seven News to give their reaction to the return to face-to-face schooling.
One of many family stories as we negotiate these difficult times!
Gradual return to school
Premier Dan Andrews announced this morning that "On 25 May, there will be a pupil-free day, and on 26 May classes will resume for Prep, Grade 1, Grade 2, Year 11 and Year 12 students.
"From 9 June, Years 3-10 will join the rest of their schoolmates, and will have a full complement of students across government schools, back by 9 June."
For more details, see the Premier's media release.
If you have specific questions regarding your child/ren communicate with your school directly.
If you have further questions for the Department of Education about the transition back, please email our office - thank you everyone for your efforts to date.
PV media comment
PV Executive Officer Gail McHardy was interviewed on City Journal Midday News Update (RMIT journalism student program) about the return to school.
Listen to the interview (Gail's comments at 2 mins 13 secs)
How to help students with resilience and focus in uncertain times
"Times of change and uncertainty unsettle even the most confident students. With very little notice and not much chance to plan, we’re all catapulted into a new world. But with crises, come opportunities..."
Clinical psychologist Andrew Fuller's latest blog post is a guide to a typical day in the life of a learning-from-home student. From breakfast to evening, Andrew takes us through the things parents should encourage - and avoid - at different times of day.
From 'Storming in the morning' to 'Adjourning and applying', Andrew has created a practical guide informed by many years of working with young people.
See the post on the Schoolbox blog
Student voice and learning from home
Learning from home is a new adventure for lots of educators and learners. Our friends at the Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC) say that student voice is more important than ever as we work together to make remote learning work for everyone.
VicSRC has published a set of resources, including ideas for educators to encourage student voice and engagement inside and outside of the (virtual) classroom.
Download the resources from the Student Voice Hub website
Learning from home: PV media comment
PV's Executive Officer Gail McHardy was interviewed on ABC 774 this morning, talking to Virginia Trioli about the home learning situation in Victorian schools. Along with Dr Ben Jensen from Learning First, Gail discussed the importance of parent engagement, a partnership approach and relationship-based education in meeting the challenges of remote learning.
Free parent resources
Free parent resources to help you support your child's learning, on the Federal Government's Learning Resources website.
Practical, everyday tips and ideas focused on primary school literacy and numeracy skills.
Simple ideas designed to be part of everyday life with your child, whether you’re reading, playing, shopping, chatting, gardening, cooking, or just hanging out together.
Examples
Foundation Year
30 articles including:
Online soccer training program
The Melbourne Victory soccer team has created Kick it with Victory, a 4-week online train-at-home program.
The program includes daily videos with skills and exercises, all designed to keep you moving at home. It has 3 levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced.
It's free and open to all.
Get started on Melbourne Victory website
Autism and ADHD: free short courses for parents
YarraMe School is offering free online courses on autism and ADHD for parents.
Autism for Parents
ADHD for Parents
This short course, aimed at parents and educators looks at the definitions and charecteristics of ADHD, causal and contributing factors, its impact in the classroom, assessment tasks and adjustments.
See the YarraMe website for more information or to start a course.
Federal 'interference' over schools: PV comment
"On Sunday, the Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan accused Victoria's premier of taking a sledgehammer to the school system because Victoria has been slower than other states to reopen classrooms.
Mr Tehan later conceded he'd gone too far. But parents' groups say this has only created more confusion for families..."
This ABC Radio report includes comment from PV Executive Officer Gail McHardy. Gail said the interference from Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan has added to parents' confusion and is not helpful.
Listen to the report on the ABC website (3 min 13 sec).
Learning from home resources from Reach Out
ReachOut has a big range of helpful resources for students, parents and teachers coming to terms with remote learning.
A few examples:
- Apps to help you study at home
- Self-care, managing stress - online learning activities
- For parents: how to help your teen and look after yourself
ReachOut is an online mental health organisation for young people and their parents.
