Communication with your Child

I encourage all parents to start and end each day with a check-in to help your child clarify and understand the instructions they get from their teachers and assist them with organising themselves and setting priorities for their learning at home.

A healthy daily routine is great for mental and physical health, as well as concentration and learning.

Encourage regular exercise breaks. This might mean going for a walk, using exercise DVDs and apps, dancing, floor exercises or using home exercise equipment.  Also encourage healthy eating habits and make sure they drink enough water. Again, I encourage you to start and finish each day with a simple check-in. These check-ins can be a regular part of each day.

In the morning, ask:

• What are you learning today?
• What are your learning targets or goals?
• How will you be spending your time?
• What resources do you need?
• What support do you need?

In the afternoon, ask:

• What did you learn today?
• What was challenging? You could come up with a way to deal with the same problem if it comes up again.
• Consider three things that went well today. Why were they good?
• Are you ok? Do you need to ask your teacher for something? Do you need help with something to make tomorrow more successful?

You could also check-in with your child throughout the day. This will depend on your child’s needs.

 

Advice for parents of children with additional needs

Each of our integration aides have been allocated students to support in their lessons for the day and will be in regular communication with these students and parents. In addition, parents can utilise the following resources:

• How you can support your child with additional needs at home – this resource helps you support your child’s learning at home.
• Understanding learning difficulties for parents: a practical guide – this guide provides you with practical advice about learning difficulties. This includes the evidence base supporting particular intervention programs and a recommended apps list for children with learning difficulties.

Access to Devices and Networks

All Year Level Coordinators have conducted a survey with students to identify those who do not have access to digital technologies at home. Parents of students identified will be contacted to arrange pick-up of loan devices. School devices will be made available on loan to these students free-of-charge to ensure no student misses out (iPads or laptop). A loan agreement will be required to be filled out by parents and students. Please contact the College if you believe your student should be on this list.

E-safety

We expect students to continue to abide by the school’s policies about student behaviour when learning in an online setting. Our Director of eLearning, Mr Justin Wischusen, will be sending home via Compass this week the Personal Digital Device Agreement including acceptable use and e-safety agreement that will need to be signed by student and parent.

Additional DET information for Parents and Carers

The coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for parents, carers and guardians web page contains information and resources for parents and families on:

• Term 2 school dates
• early childhood education and care services
• attendance
• learning from home
• health information
• advice for parents and carers of international students
• advice for parents of apprentices and trainees
• talking to your child.

Open Events

Unfortunately we have had to cancel our Open Events for this year. This includes the Sports Excellence Program Information Night and SEAL Information Night that were scheduled for Thursday 16 April and Open Night on Thursday 23 April. Prospective parents should refer to our website www.mcsc.vic.edu.au where additional information has been posted in lieu of these events.

School Zones

Since April last year, all schools are now provided with a zone. I want to reassure parents that all current students, even if residing outside our new zone, will still have a place at the College, along with any siblings in the future. For new enrolments coming into Year 7, I anticipate that we will have sufficient capacity to be able to take students from outside our zone following the Department’s placement policy. To view our new zone click on this link: https://www.findmyschool.vic.gov.au/ Prospective parents who live out of the zone will need to fill in an “out of zone” application form available on our school website.

Anzac Day recognition

We will be recognising Anzac Day in our mentor/home group remote lessons with students next Wednesday in lieu of being able to hold a whole school assembly. Thanks to Sally Mitchell, Director of Student Engagement, for organising this lesson for staff and students.

Ms. Michelle Roberts

Principal