STUDENT DIRECTION FOR REMOTE LEARNING TERM 1 2020

Good Afternoon Cessnock High School Community.

I sincerely hope that this latest piece of information finds you well, and all of your families are safe. This unfolding situation is difficult on everyone, on so many levels, however, I appreciate the support, good will, and composure of our entire community. It is a privilege to support all of your children. I would also like to acknowledge here, and thank, the work of the entire staff of Cessnock High School, both teaching and non‐teaching. The staff, under trying conditions, have been extremely professional and diligent, in supporting all students. 

The Government and Department are encouraging you to keep your child at home from Tuesday 24 March to contribute to supporting the community response to COVID-19. The school’s doors will remain open for those students whose parents are in the essential services or who are vulnerable. As updated expert information comes to the Department, who are in constant liaison with NSW Health we will keep you informed of any impact on school operations. 

For Latest Covid-19 Advice - Please follow the link:  

Get the latest COVID-19 advice. https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/schoolsafety/novel-coronavirus.html

Supporting continuity of learning for all students at Cessnock HS  

Our staff have been working hard to develop a suite of learning resources and options for students to undertake from home. The Department has developed and will continue to develop resources and offer professional learning to help teachers with this task. 

Whether your child is at school or at home, the aim is for all students to access the consistent learning content provided by our school. This may mean sending work home, either with physical materials or by email, or by making use of one of our online platforms at our school. (note last parent update)

Support for students at home  

I encourage you to access the Learning from Home resource which provides practical advice to parents and carers on how to best create and support a productive learning environment in the home. 

https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/learning-from-home  

Please find a link below that takes you to an interview with Professor John Fischetti from the University of Newcastle speaking on local radio last week. John provided his thoughts on online learning and how parents can actively support their children as we enter into this new and challenging space. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WgPjmQsZ8&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3TggjYMKiq 1I75EwiE_T8uOcCcouZC_vvGleT_6Cp1STKInSPqxaG7HK8  

For Parents and Carers  

How can I ensure my student is implementing Cessnock HS online learning?  

Teachers will be connecting with students each day via Sentral Messages or DoE email. Students are also asked to check their DoE email each morning to ensure clear communication with the school. This centralised message system for all students of CHS will contain specific instructions for students to access their work on multiple online learning platforms such as Google Classroom, OneNote, MS Teams, Adobe Connect and Zoom across the KLAs. These platforms will vary due to the nature of the subject area, be assured students will be provided clear instructions and/or hyperlinks to access their work. Please also encourage students: 

•  To establish a routine around their timetable on Sentral and change out of pyjamas and dress in comfortable and appropriate clothes at the start of each school day. They may be involved in video conferences at short notice through the day. 

•  To observe good posture and take regular breaks as they would at school. 

For Students  

How do I access my online learning?  

Each lesson, at the commencement of each period, it will be necessary for you to follow these simple steps: 

1.  Check your DoE Student Email 

2.  Respond to your teacher’s message to indicate you have seen it, for example, “Thank you”, “Got it”, “Message Received”. This acknowledgement lets us know you are safe and have received the work for the day

3.  Complete the lesson activities as indicated. Staff will be on-line to communicate throughout the lesson, either by email or some other learning platform you may be on. You will follow your normal timetabled lessons 

Canteen Closed from tomorrow (Thursday 25 March)  

Our school canteen will be closed until further notice as required at this time. Students attending school will need to bring their own Lunch and Recess. Students will not be permitted to leave the school grounds during Lunch or Recess breaks to purchase food.

TERM 1 ASSESSMENTS –

Year 12: Last night NESA issued a statement regarding the HSC. Whilst not definitive in how assessment will work going forward, they did emphasise these key points:

-            We know you are worried. While we recognise we are facing an unprecedented situation, we want to assure you that you will be able to get a HSC certificate this year, and that the certificate will facilitate access to university, further education and employment, as it has for students over the past 50 years.

-            Keep learning, do your assessments as advised by your school, make progress on your major projects where you can and, most importantly, look after yourself, whether you are at school or at home. Reach out to family, friends and your teachers if you need to.

-            If you get sick, your school and NESA have provisions to ensure you are not disadvantaged. At this stage, if a year twelve student has an assessment due from now until the end of term it has been cancelled. All tasks planned for term 2 are cancelled at this stage.

Year 11: With regard to year eleven, at this time I am making a decision on each assessment separately leading up to the end of the term. All year 11 students will be aware of the status of all assessments between now and the end of term, some assessments have already been cancelled for term one.

Year 7‐10: I have decided to cancel all assessments for year 7 to 10 from March 23 to April 9. I understand that students may have commenced work on specific assessments due within this time frame, however, in order to be equitable in these changed circumstances, I have made this decision. I apologise for any distress that this may cause. Further, I may need to make a decision upon the assessment schedule for term two, if our current circumstances continue. I understand that this may have implications for our semester one report and I assure you, if it does, I will inform the community straight away.

Thank you again to the entire Cessnock High School Community for your support, patience and understanding as we adjust to new ways of supporting the learning of our students and their families.

Many of our teachers are also parents and/or carers within their own families, some are immunecompromised or vulnerable too. We will support those members of staff who may have to work from home which means they will be teaching from home. Together we will prioritise the health and wellbeing and education of your children. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any further questions or concerns. Take care and look after your families.

Yours Sincerely,

Peter Riley

Principal – Cessnock High