Dear Families

This will be the last Carmeletta for Term 1 so I would like, again, to thank families for their support and understanding during this time of transition. Next week teachers will participate in system-wide professional learning to ensure that we can provide a safe and secure space for our community to teach, learn, collaborate and celebrate.

Nobody quite knows what Term 2 will hold, as responses to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to develop on a daily basis, but any developments or announcements from Catholic Education or from State and Federal Governments that may affect this position will be passed on to all immediately. At this stage it is our intention that Mt Carmel School will be delivering remote learning to all students from the beginning of the term. We have no advice to suggest how long this arrangement will need to remain in place. Advice from the Australian Government, that schools should remain open for children of essential workers but that families who can keep their children at home should, has not changed. It is important to note, though, that children attending school will be completing the same work that is set for the rest of their class, and not necessarily with their regular teacher, as teachers cannot be expected to work in face-to-face and remote environments simultaneously. To assist with operational planning, it is vital for us to have a clear understanding of each family’s intentions; a survey will be sent to all next week.

Many families have already found that the reality of remote-learning from home presents significant challenges, and I’m sure that, with the passing of time, some will ease but others will persist. Again, I will be seeking families’ feedback of their early experiences via a survey, in order that we can provide learning resources that best meet your needs. In light of the many conversations that teachers and I have had with parents recently about their worries concerning remote learning, here are a few common concerns and some points that, I hope, can help to reassure everyone:

We have limited/shared technology at my house and I don’t want my kids on the computer all day.

• Although remote learning will rely, to a large extent, on access to technology at some point in the day, that does not mean students will be doing all their work online. There will be plenty of work to do away from screens: drawing, writing, building, creating and playing.
• Teachers have no expectation that families will be able to print sheets and booklets; any such physical resources will be provided by the school.
• If availability of sufficient IT resources proves to be a problem for any family you can contact me at any time to discuss how the school can help.

I don’t have enough to keep my child busy all day, or, I don’t have the time to get through everything the teacher has sent.

• Materials provided so far are not prescriptive but largely a guide. Move things around to suit your personal timetable and don’t worry about dropping activities that aren’t working for you.
• Although your child is at school for the six hours between 9 and 3, they spend only a fraction of that time ‘working’.
• A child’s useful attention span, in minutes, is generally considered to be around twice their numerical age – and that’s when they’re alert and engaged. Don’t expect them to sit still and work for longer than that; they can’t.

I’m worried that my child will fall behind or miss important learning.

• Disruption to schooling is happening for everyone, everywhere. Not just in Australia but around the world.
• Every year in Australia hundreds, perhaps even thousands of students have three to six months away from school to do the big road trip, with not much more work to do other than regular reading, keeping a good journal and a bit of experiential maths. They manage just fine.
• While all learning is important and builds on what has come before, Primary School is not the HSC and there is nothing that your child might ‘miss’ in the course of this year that will prevent them from getting into their preferred university course or job.

Again, I am very conscious that parents are anxious to know what will be happening with school next term; please be assured that as soon as any new developments come to light they will be passed on immediately.

Virtual Easter Bonnet Parade
The Easter Bonnet Parade has always been a regular fixture on the Mt Carmel calendar and, in light of maintaining community and school spirit, we would love it to happen this year. We are asking all students to construct an Easter bonnet or hat, using whatever creative materials and means they have at their disposal at home, and send us a photo of themselves wearing it by Wednesday next week. Photos will be compiled into an animation and shared with our community through the website and social media. If you do not want your child’s photo published and shared on social media, please do not submit it. Photos can be emailed to jan.harvey@cg.catholic.edu.au. 

Holy Week
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week. Usually, we would hold a service for the Stations of the Cross at school but, of course, this year we cannot. Prayer resources and reflections for this important week in our liturgical calendar will be shared with all families next week. I encourage all families to make use of these resources and participate in these celebrations.

Happy Easter to everyone, and stay well. My prayers this Easter are with all of you.

May God’s peace be in your families,

Michael Green
Principal