UPDATE TO REMOTE LEARNING AND RETURN TO SCHOOL

The College is conscious that Gladys Berejiklian’s announcements this morning (11 am 27^th August) provide much new information about proposed returns to school and changing HSC Examination dates. The College will be sending out a jointly prepared letter with Catholic Education Wollongong as soon as this becomes available.

Year 12 Trials

The College has been tremendously impressed by the way in which our Year 12 students have embraced their remote HSC Trials. This type of assessment – online open book examinations – is brand new for the students and the College, but despite some initial queries and concerns about how this might unfold, students have made the most from the experience and have done extremely well. We do believe that these practice exams will prepare students for the HSC written Examinations later in Term Four.

REMOTE LEARNING

I continue to thank our parents/carers, students and staff as they continue to navigate these remote learning Lockdown times. It is important that as a College that we maintain our core business of learning and that we also promote the importance of staying well in these everchanging circumstances. 

Thank you for your demonstration of resilience and endurance.

The following advice for parents/carers is provided from the Department of Education regarding remote learning success:

• Follow your normal routine

Support your child to eat breakfast, brush their teeth and get dressed in the morning.

• Set up your workspace

Help your child set up a quiet space at a desk or table where they can work. If your child is using a computer, refer to the Learning environment checklist.

• Eating and drinking

Prepare snacks and meals outside of school hours so you and your child can grab ready-made food. Encourage your child to drink water throughout the day.

• Take breaks

Schedule in breaks for you and your child to grab a snack or do some stretches.

• Build in fun

Encourage your child to take some time to be creative. Draw, play games and promote healthy activity.

• Online resources

Bookmark important pages like the “Learning from Home hub” where you’ll find learning resources and packages to use with your child.

• Be flexible

Be flexible and work with your school during this challenging time. If you or your child are having trouble with a task, move onto something else.

We know remote learning is not easy. But we continue to ask that you contact the relevant staff if you need support.

We encourage students to attend all Zooms that are provided, that students are prepared for lessons and that they turn their videoscreens on in each Zoom.

Additionally, at Magdalene, although we are reminded of the fickleness of life in this COVID-19 pandemic and the constant challenges and heartache, we must remember that we are gifted with hope, purpose and optimism which guide us forward. Let us all stay as positive as we can and be mindful that there is, in the not too distant future, an eventual way out of our current circumstances. Know that we do miss the students and we can’t wait for them to return to Magdalene.

PRAYER

The organisation Worldvision continues to support people right across the world during times of need and Coronavirus has certainly provided many challenges and opportunities for this NGO to help the needy.

The following prayer is from the Worldvision website https://www.worldvision.org/disaster-relief-news-stories/prayers-people-affected-new-coronavirus. A number of other coronavirus-related prayers can be located at the site, for example, prayers for those in financial need, those in positions of leadership making decisions, medical professionals, those who are ill or quarantined etc…

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” —1 Peter 5:7

Almighty God, we know that everything is in Your sovereign control. We ask that You keep this novel coronavirus from continuing to spread. Give government officials the ability to safely handle people arriving from other countries. Help people decide to stay home instead of travelling or going out needlessly. Holy Spirit, remind people to socially distance, to wash their hands properly, to sanitise, and do what they need to do to stay safe. While it may be heartbreaking, comfort families as they decide to keep their distance from elderly or other high-risk family members.

We ask this through the Lord our God. Amen

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” —Philippians 4:6