Call for home school allowance
Parents Victoria and Gender Equity Victoria are calling for Victorian parents to be supported with a one-off home school allowance to offset the additional costs associated with educating kids in isolation during Term 2.
‘’This week, families across Victoria are supporting a transformative educational experience – the launching of statewide digital classrooms. We know that women are likely to shoulder the major burden of providing the care, educational support and supervision necessary to making learning from home a success” said Tanja Kovac, CEO of Gender Equity Victoria, ‘The medical, social and economic disaster of Covid19 is impacting on women in ways that exacerbate gender inequities.”
Remote learning: PV media comment
The Herald-Sun published a wide-ranging article today about the Term 2 return to school and remote learning arrangements.
The article includes a comment from PV's Gail McHardy, as follows:
Parents Victoria executive officer Gail McHardy said it had been a “mixed bag” of a day but said she knew families would “rise to the occasion”.
“It’s going to take people a few days to settle in and there’s going to be good days and bad days,” she said.
Read the full article on the Herald-Sun website.
James Merlino announces Term 2 remote learning
In this Facebook video, Education Minister James Merlino explains the Term 2 remote learning arrangements in Victorian schools.
VCE students and COVID-19: PV media comment
The Age reported today, "This year's crop of year 12 students, already hit hard by school shutdowns due to the coronavirus, could be further disadvantaged if the school year is not extended, an education expert says.'
The article goes on to quote Parents Victoria Executive Officer Gail McHardy:
Gail McHardy, executive officer of Parents Victoria, said there was just as much anxiety among parents as students. She said those who were not confident about their ability to support their children's studies at home should speak out.
"Parents might not have a level of education to support their children - there is no shame in sharing that with their school community to get some suggestions,” Ms McHardy said.
Read the fuil article in the Age
Students to learn from home, VCE timelines revised
Education Minister James Merlino has announced that all Victorian government primary, secondary and special schools will move to remote and flexible learning and teaching in Term 2.
In a media release today, Minister Merlino and Premier Dan Andrews announced that:
- Most Victorian students will be educated from home when Term 2 starts next week to ensure the physical distancing will help slow the spread of coronavirus, with free internet access and laptops for those students who need it most.
- On-site learning will only be available for children whose parents can’t work from home and vulnerable students without access to a suitable learning environment at home. Under limited conditions, on-site learning may also be available for VCE and VCAL students.
- VCE students will still receive an ATAR score, but there will be a number of changes to the academic timetable for VCE and VCAL students.
- VCE study scores will continue to be a combination of school-based assessment and external exams. VCAL students will have more time to complete their courses and this will be consistent with the revised dates for the VCE.
See full details in the Minister's media release
Media reporting
- Article in the Age
- Article in the Herald-Sun
- Article on 7 News website (Including media conference video)
Partners in Parenting: your teen's mental wellbeing
Now more than ever, parents are looking for ways to protect their teenager’s mental wellbeing.
The Partners in Parenting program, delivered by Prevention United and Monash University, is a free, evidence-based, online program for parents of teenagers to protect their mental wellbeing.
The program includes practical parenting tips that are particularly relevant right now as families cope with COVID-19.
Parents can sign up at partnersinparenting.com.au
See our new COVID-19 resource pages
Some of the resources that previously appeared on this page have been moved to our new COVID-19 resources section.
You'll find information about learning from home, wellbeing and where to go for reliable updates on the situation.
We will continue to add new resources as they become available.
Go to the COVID-19 resources section.
Talking to your child about coronavirus
The Education Department has published a page for parents, "Talking to your child about coronavirus".
The page includes practical advice on how to discuss the topic with your child, adapting information to the child's age, being guided by your child in what matters you discuss, focussing on positives and looking after yourself.
Update for VCE and VCAL students
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) has updated its advice for VCE and VCAL students.
The most recent update (24 March) update covers School-Assessed Coursework (SACs) and School-Assessed Tasks (SATs)
See the VCAA website for updates.
