25 Mar 2020
BGHS LEARNING FROM HOME: Information and Protocols
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Parents and students are advised that this information is accurate at time of dissemination and is subject to change.
BGHS is still open and classes are available for students who attend. In response to our community needs, we will also be delivering learning online until further notice.
The School Day: The New Normal
Classes are still being conducted onsite at BGHS.
Year 11 and 12 are encouraged to attend, particularly to access direct support for the practical components of their courses. Immersion workshops will be offered for Year 12 students with practicals and major works to complete with appropriate social distancing and hygiene protocols in place to ensure they are not disadvantaged in the HSC.
All students have been set up to accept Google Classroom with their teachers in each of their subjects/courses. Students MUST check their emails regularly throughout the day.
Students are still enrolled at school and are expected to “attend” school all day, every day, whether they are learning on-site or from home.
Students are expected to be present punctually at every lesson and for the entire duration of the lesson whether they are learning on-site or from home.
The school day commences at 8.30am and concludes at 2.50pm.
If students are learning from home, they are expected to follow the school timetable, logging into the relevant google classroom being led by their teacher. They must participate in the lesson appropriately and complete their work on a daily basis. Attendance in online lessons is mandatory for students at home. Their break times are between classes and recess and lunch.
Technology, troubleshooting and access
Additional avenues of communication include email and phoning the school. If you have issues with technology that cannot be resolved immediately and it impacts on your access to learning, you can email your teacher immediately so they send you the work as soon as they are able. If your technical issues need further support, you can contact the school to seek advice.
If you require your work to be accessible via hard copy package, you need to request this through your Year Adviser or Deputy Principal. These can be compiled for pick up through the school. Your teacher/s will arrange this for you in partnership with your supervising Deputy Principal.
If you have issues accessing the appropriate technology at home, you must communicate with your Deputy Principal immediately.
Assessment Tasks
Students are advised that assessments will continue as part of the learning and teaching schedule. Assessments will be run as hand-in/online submissions for junior students. Students in Years 11 and 12 are advised that the assessment schedule will run as published until the conclusion of Term 1 and will be revised and reassessed as further advice from the Health Department is issued in the future. Social distancing and hygiene arrangements will continue to ensure the safety of students while on-site at BGHS. Attendance, engagement in class (real or virtual) and completion of quality work all contribute to students meeting their final outcomes. If a student is feeling unwell or may have been in contact with someone infected with COVID-19, they must remain at home and provide the necessary documentation as per the school’s assessment policy.
Attendance
Roll marking
As we are transitioning into a new environment where we are running two concurrent schools (one online and one on-site) new codes will be developed to distinguish between students who are officially engaging as part of the school day and those who are not. Currently, two records are being maintained- those who are on-site and as online learning has begun, teachers have been instructed to maintain records of who is attending google classrooms. Please be assured that the notion of ‘unjustified’ absences will, in time, be attributed to the relevant students only. There is no cause for concern if your child is learning from home and it is clear and demonstrated that they have been doing so. As in all cases and situations, high levels of communication between home and school are encouraged in order to address or resolve any queries you may have.
Failure to attend school daily, whether accessing on-site or online will result in long term consequences. Students in Years 10-12 are reminded that these will be reflected in NESA Warning Letters and could impact on attainment of the ROSA and/or HSC.
Additional Support
BGHS teachers are incredibly dedicated to their students. However, it is important to remember that teachers are human beings with families and other responsibilities. They are not available 24 hours a day. While they may make themselves available to senior students and respond more regularly, this is what we determine as ‘above and beyond’ the call of duty. We have prepared some online communication protocols that students are expected to follow.
In the coming weeks, we will set up a virtual Homework Centre so that students have an opportunity to seek additional help online between 3-5pm.
Students who require additional learning support will continue to be catered for. Our Learning Support staff will be developing support materials, responding to student queries and running online support programs.
Support for Student Wellbeing
§ The school’s Wellbeing Team and initiatives will still be in operation
§ Students who require support can access this support online or via the telephone if they choose not to come in person while the school is open. This must be done during school time. This means you can email or phone to speak with the Year Adviser or School Counsellor. The School Counsellor timetable is as follows:
Day Counsellor on duty
Monday Ms Tselepi
Tuesday Week A 12pm onwards Miss Patty
Wednesday Ms Patty and Ms Lee
Thursday Ms Tselepi
Friday Ms Patty and Ms Lee
Students and parents who need additional support or support outside of school hours are encouraged to access the following where relevant
§ National Coronavirus Health Information Line: 1800 020 080
§ Your local GP or community health centre
§ Local police
§ Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 kidshelpline.com.au
§ Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
§ Lifeline: 13 11 14
Important Sources of Information and Portals of Communication for Parents and Students
BGHS School Phone Number: 02 9644 5057
BGHS School Website: birronggir-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
BGHS Facebook Page
BGHS Skoolbag App
Online Communication Protocols
§ All online communication must be polite and respectful towards teachers at all times
§ It is an offence to misappropriate images, text or footage of DoE employees without their knowledge or permission
§ Inappropriate conduct or breach of protocols will result in serious consequences (school and legal) for individuals or groups involved
§ Students are not permitted to conduct personal/social conversations/commentary via the google classroom platform
§ Students are not permitted to communicate ‘complaints’ in this google classroom forum. Any concerns or queries of this nature must be communicated via direct emails to teachers or relevant staff members
§ Teachers will respond to students in a timely manner wherever possible. Students are welcome to send communications as their need arises but can expect that any communication past 4.30pm will be responded to on the following day, if not prior
§ All emails to teachers must be structured with the proper salutation and sign-off. This means that the email opens with Dear Ms/Mrs/Mr _______, and closes with Yours sincerely, followed with the name of the student ____________. Messages to teachers should be expressed in simple and clear sentences outlining the queries being made. Please see the following example below:
Dear Ms Ad Astra,
I hope this email finds you well.
I am writing to ask three questions about the assignment that is due.
1. Is my chosen topic investigating the most dangerous earthquakes appropriate?
2. Does using three online sources comply with the marking criteria?
3. What should I do if there is a problem uploading the information report?
Thank you for your response in advance.
Yours sincerely,
Jane Starr
Advice to Parents about Learning from Home
Choosing to keep your children at home is understandable considering the unexpected and unprecedented pandemic we are facing.
In his press conference on Sunday, March 22, our Prime Minister made it clear that parents who keep their children at home from school are responsible for their routine, overseeing their learning and their conduct and interactions in and around the community. Parents are strongly advised to heed these warnings.
Advice for routine at home
§ ‘School away from school’ should be the mindset for entire family. The school day commences no later than 8.15am and concludes at 3pm. Break times should mirror those scheduled in the school timetable, with additional incremental breaks
§ Provided in the minutes usually scheduled for movement between classes.
§ Students should not be engaging in social media, gaming, watching television, household chores or babysitting during the school day.
§ Students should be encouraged to eat, stretch and move around during their break times. Whenever possible, it is important that their breaks are outside in their backyard to expose them to fresh air and sunshine.
These are new and unexpected challenges where what lies ahead is uncertain. However, we are confident that our community will stand strong when united and working together. Our common interest and commitment is to the students and families we serve. Education is the strongest foundation upon which our future rests and we are dedicated to providing this essential service. We thank our community for their ongoing support.
Zena Dabaja
Principal
25.3.20