Executive Director's Update to Principals #38: COVID Update - 21 Jul 2021
You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have taken off my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever. Ps 30
Updated School Operations Guide
An updated Term 3 School Operations Guide is now available to download from CEVN. A summary of pertinent changes is below.
On-site supervision program eligibility
Alongside the categories that have already been outlined, it was announced yesterday that on-site supervision is also available:
- Where a parent/carer indicates that a student with a disability is vulnerable because they cannot learn from home, and/or informs the school the student is vulnerable due to family stress, the school must provide on-site supervision for that student. This may apply to students enrolled in specialist schools and students with a disability enrolled in mainstream schools.
Wellbeing check-ins
In addition to recording student attendance, schools must have in place processes and procedures to ensure that student wellbeing check-ins take place each day, on a group and/or individual basis. It is critical that schools use every resource available to connect with those students at risk of disengagement.
Learning programs
Below are the daily minimum guidelines schools are expected to meet for students in Prep to Year 10:
Prep to Grade 2
For students in Prep to Grade 2, schools should provide daily learning programs that include the following as a minimum:
- literacy activities that take a total of about 45-60 minutes
- numeracy activities of about 30-45 minutes
- additional learning areas, play-based learning and physical activity of about 30-45 minutes.
Grades 3 to 6 and Years 7 to 10
For students in Grades 3 to 6 and Years 7 to 10, schools should provide daily learning programs that include the following as a minimum:
- literacy: 45-60 minutes
- numeracy: 30-45 minutes
- physical activities: 30 minutes
- additional curriculum areas: 90 minutes.
Where appropriate, for students with disabilities and students in specialist schools who may be ungraded, teachers will be guided by age-equivalent daily minimum guidelines, with consideration of the student’s stage of learning and individual education plan.
Further COVID Matters
Religious Education in the home learning environment
As a diocese, and recognising RE as a priority learning area, we are recommending that learning engagements related to RE should be balanced with the demands of other learning areas and feel that a time allocation of one hour across each week would be feasible and manageable in a home learning environment.
A range of suggested primary RE learning and teaching sequences are included on The HIVE platform to support teachers in their planning and this space will continue to be populated and updated during the term. Education Officers: RE are available to support schools in their creation of home learning curriculum support in RE and to address concerns and receive recommendations that will enhance the potential of this novel learning experience for our families.
Pre-service teachers
Where possible, please delay pre-service placements planned for the coming days until lockdown is lifted.
CRT employment during the current lockdown
Where possible schools should continue to engage casuals (including CRTs) throughout this period, including maintaining contractual arrangements that have been made. CRTs can be very valuable in supporting onsite supervision for children of authorised workers and vulnerable children. They can also play an invaluable role in supporting remote learning through working with small groups, preparing remote learning materials and following up attendance issues.
COVID Resources for Secondary Students
This list of Wellbeing Supports for Secondary Students is available to assist with managing the uncertainty of lockdown. Please feel free to circulate it to your school community.
Next COVID Update
We will continue to monitor the situation and advise principals of any updates. Please liaise with your Education Consultant with any questions or concerns.
Stay safe and continue to look after each other…
Ever blessings.