On Wednesday evening Vern Hilditch, along with Michelle Sheehan, Sharee Fisher and Brad Hearn, travelled to Brisbane to represent the Dept of Education, The NEFLN and the Education State at the National Conference for Doing School Differently by the Australian Association for Flexible and Inclusive Education.  They were asked to present on Victorian regional perspectives for complimentary public education models (non- private government based FLO’s).  The conference saw over 600 educators in Flexible and Inclusive Education attend.

More information, along with the presentation slides, can be found by clicking the links below or visiting the presentations google drive;

• DSD 2024
• NEFLN Finding a way – Presentation DSD 2024
• DSD 2024 NEFLN Finding the Path
• Engagement Start Rubric Student Friendly
• Engagement star student tool NEFLN

• https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1p_mApw9vcGowdA7qAd2Zge-Np9YMJvV3?usp=sharing

As a result, we are asking all students aged 8 and over and all staff in all schools across Victoria to wear masks when in class (except where removing a mask is necessary for clear communication) from now to the end of winter.

Students won’t be required or expected to wear masks when outdoors, and this expectation won’t stop student participation in the full range of school activities, including music, sport and performances.

We are asking for your support in explaining to your child or children the importance of this simple step that will help keep our schools as safe as possible.
We also ask that you make sure your child (or children) takes a mask to school (and wears it if they are travelling on public transport) or collects a mask when they arrive at school.
We all appreciate how important it is for students to be back at school. This action will help make sure as many students and staff as possible are protected from COVID and other winter illness.

Thank for your help with this collective effort to keep our communities safe and healthy.

David Whitehead
Campus Principal

Free rapid antigen tests

Free rapid antigen tests will be available for the first 4 weeks of Term 1 2022.
Twice-a-week testing will be strongly recommended for both students and staff.
The department will supply the tests to our school – you do not need to buy your own.
The department will distribute all kits to schools as early as possible. I will let you know once the test kits are available for collection. Unless you contact the college, it is our intention to distribute the test kits to students for them to take home.
Students and staff will do the tests at home; they only need to report their result if it is COVID-positive. They must report a COVID-positive result to:

• the school by phone, email (CovidResults@wssc.vic.edu.au) or the RA Test Portal; this is so the school can support them, record that they will be absent while in 7-day isolation, and let the rest of the school community know there has been a positive case onsite and that they should monitor for symptoms
• the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form or call centre on 1800 675 398.

Information about how to do a test and how to read RAT results, including a how-to video translated into 33 languages, is available online.

Vaccination requirements

Parents and carers must have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine or have a valid medical exception (with limited exceptions) to enter school buildings.
All staff working in schools need to be fully vaccinated or have a verified medical exception.
COVID-19 vaccinations for students are not required for them to attend school but vaccination for students is highly encouraged. If your child has not yet had their first dose, please try to organise this before term begins. For more information on how to book a vaccination, including important information about vaccination for children, visit Vaccination information for children and teenagers.

Ventilation

We will also make sure that classrooms are well ventilated by opening windows and doors, to minimise the risk of infection. We have received over 100 air purifiers, which will be used around the campuses as an added safety measure.
Vital COVIDSafe steps
Hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing will continue wherever possible in Term 1.

Staffing our school

I know many of you will have questions about what happens if your child’s teacher gets COVID-19. We will be able to bring in extra teachers and other staff if we need them, and we will be doing everything that we can to make sure our school stays safe and open.

Other information about school operations

Feel free to contact us to clarify any concerns you may have. Wodonga Senior Secondary College Telephone 02 6043 7500 including Flexible Learning Centres in Wodonga, Benalla Seymour and Shepparton.

Parents and guardians are reminded to ensure they have push notifications enabled for the School Portal mobile app and follow the school Facebook page for updates throughout the Term.

There’s no doubt that this term is going to be challenging for all of us, but we are also very excited to kick off the school year and welcome back all of our students.
Thank you for your continued support.

Kind regards
Vern Hilditch
Executive Principal

Re: Remote Learning During COVID-19 Restrictions

As announced by the Victorian Government on Thursday May 27, Friday the 28^th will be a pupil free day and all students will be engaging in remote learning for the next 7 days to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Acting Premier James Merlinos’ message to students and parents/carers of Government Schools is “all children who can learn at home must learn from home – with exceptions only in extremely limited circumstances.”

We are appreciative of the concerns that many parents/carers have expressed about how to support their child’s learning and wellbeing at home. More than ever before, it is important that we work in partnership with parents/carers to ensure students feel supported and continue to be engaged in learning.

Therefore, NEFLN has put together the following information to assist with remote learning (please note that the below may change at short notice as the situation continues to evolve).

Eligibility to Attend School

NEFLN will continue to provide on-site supervision for students whose health and safety would be at risk without access to a supervised environment. Given the age of students in Year 10 to 12 DET deems them able to remain at home, without supervision, only vulnerable students will be permitted to undertake their remote learning on-site.

Parents and carers who require their child to attend on-site learning will need to complete an On-Site Attendance Form in the week prior to their child attending on-site (this form needs to be completed weekly).

Process for Student Attendance Onsite at NEFLN

• Parents or carers to provide application form and evidence for required days/times the following week.
• School determines the request meets the threshold of the student being on-site.
• BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS FRIDAY: School to confirm arrangements with parents/carers.

Communication During Remote Learning

Staff will be continuing to contact your child and yourself regularly to:

• Support student Health & Wellbeing.
• Facilitate teaching & learning.
• Support individualised tuition.
• Support student pathway and career development.

To facilitate this, the School will continue to use official school accounts and tools below:

• Telephone
• Emails
• Website
• SMS
• Mailed letters.

School Hours

During remote learning, the school will continue to operate remotely.

Reception staff can be called between the hours of 8.30 am and 4.00 pm. If you would like to contact a staff member, please call Campus Reception and your calls will be forwarded as appropriate.

Teachers will teach their scheduled timetabled classes during remote learning and will endeavour to respond to phone calls and email queries as soon as possible between 8.30 pm to 4.30 pm.

Staff Working Remotely

Our teaching staff will continue to deliver the scheduled Term 2 timetabled classes online whilst working from home. There will only be a skeleton staff at school including the Leadership Team. Any eligible student who attends school will continue to do remote learning under supervision.

Remote Learning Arrangements and Expectations for Student Learning

• Students are expected to be learning remotely from home as per their current timetable.
• Students may be provided with Hard copy work in the first instance.
• Teachers will make regular contact with students to check on their wellbeing and engagement during remote learning.
• Business-like Environment; Students must be working from an appropriate space and in appropriate clothing.
• Prior to electronic remote learning, all students will be expected to complete an Online Learning Induction provided by ySafe to support their safe use of technologies in remote learning via ly/wshxysafe.
• It is an expectation that students attend all timetabled sessions. If a student is too sick to attend online classes, please inform the school via the normal process. Attendance in online classes will be taken daily by teachers and unexplained absences will be followed up as per normal process.
• The expectation is that all students should have taken their learning materials home. If your child was unable to do this, please contact Reception to arrange a suitable time to collect materials.

Teachers Absent During Remote Learning

For various reasons, teachers may be unavailable to deliver a remote learning session. Daily (at 8.40 am) the School will contact all students of any teachers who are unavailable to deliver a session. In this instance, students are required to continue self-directed learning for the timetabled class. Where extended absences are known, alternative arrangements will be put into place.

Parent/Carer Online Learning Induction

The Department of Education has reminded schools that the parent/carer is responsible for students’ general safety at home or elsewhere. To support you, NEFLN has partnered with leading cyber safety experts from ySafe to provide vital and practical information to our parents/carers via the Online Learning Induction for remote learning.

In the parent/carer version, the four video modules cover:

• Setting up devices to be safe for children and teenagers.
• Tips for managing class schedules at home.
• Supporting kid’s wellbeing and promoting healthy screen habits.
• Where to access help if eSafety issues occur.

The induction videos are accessible online via the ySafe Parents Portal, click here or visit https://www.ysafeparentsportal.com.au/. This is an exclusive portal we have purchased to make available to our College community, where there is an abundance of information on cyber safety at home, including step-by-step instructions for setting up devices, and reporting tools for managing issues such as cyberbullying.

As part of the Online Learning Induction, all Parents/Carers will also have access to the free Family Zone Insights App. This will help you stay up-to-date on current cyber safety risks. In partnership with Family Zone, this app allows ySafe’s experts to send parents/carers direct updates when their child has accessed something risky online, allowing ease of monitoring and current information on cyber safety issues. Access to the app is on an opt-in basis, with instructions for activating Insights available to the portal.

Please note that while your child is away from the School the internet content filters that are applied on the school networked are not applicable.

Who Can I Contact to Support My Child?

• For class and curriculum related queries, please contact the class teacher.
• For wellbeing concerns, please contact the Campus Wellbeing or Site Principal.

Support for Wellbeing During Remote Learning

The Campus student wellbeing services will continue to operate during school hours.

Parents/Carers who are worried about their child’s wellbeing can still contact Campus Wellbeing or Site Principal to discuss their concerns, by phoning the school.

Students who are already engaged with wellbeing can communicate with their allocated worker during school hours by email, text or phone call.

Included in this pack is “Headspace: How To Cope With Stress Related to COVID-19”. This document includes:

• Tips to maintain a healthy headspace during this time.
• Common reactions.
• Where else students can get help.

Students Without Internet and/or Notebook at Home

The College is in the process of contacting students and families who are identified as not having access to the internet or a computer at home. If this is an issue for your child, please contact the campus Site Principal

Our transition to remote learning will not be perfect. There will be bumps in the road as we learn together. However, I am confident that we will rise to the challenge, through your support and the dedication of our staff, to meet our common goal of providing high-quality education to your child and protecting the health and wellbeing of everyone in our school community.

I’m writing to inform you that during a recent audit, some suspected asbestos material was found within Block E.

I want to assure you that our school is safe. The health and safety of our school community is paramount, and we are working with the Victorian School Building Authority and independent occupational hygienists to appropriately manage the situation.

Once the materials were identified, the areas were immediately isolated to students and staff.

A licensed asbestos removalist has been engaged to undertake an environmental clean and some asbestos removal. The removalist will be supervised by an independent occupational hygienist, who will also conduct air monitoring. The asbestos removal works are scheduled to take place this weekend on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 May 2021.

I would like to assure you that the safety of all students, staff and the wider community remains the priority throughout this process.

To ensure everyone’s safety and the timely completion of works it is important that the school and neighbouring community members are not on the school grounds during the works.

The Victorian School Building Authority is working to ensure disruption to the school community is kept to a minimum.

If you have any questions, please contact me on 02 60437500.

Thank you for your understanding during this time.

Kind Regards,


David Whitehead
Principal
Benalla Flexible Learning Centre

Dear parents and carers,

The Victorian Government has today announced that the circuit breaker actions that came into effect last week will end at 11.59pm on Wednesday 17 February. This means that students will return to on-site learning at school from Thursday 18 February.

From 11.59pm Wednesday 17 February, consistent with advice for the broader community, secondary school students aged 12 or older, must wear a face mask at school, unless an exception applies:

• in all indoor spaces
• in all outdoor spaces when 1.5m physical distance cannot be maintained.

Visitors and parents must also observe this guidance.

Thank you for supporting your children and our school staff this week. We look forward to seeing our students back at school with their friends and teachers, with school opening at the standard time of 8.55am tomorrow.

The wellbeing of all our students is our priority and our school staff and teachers are here to support you and your family. Information that might be of assistance to you in talking to your child about COVID-19 is available. If you are concerned about your wellbeing or that of your child, please contact the school so we can talk with you about how we can best assist. Other sources of support include: Parent Line 13 22 89 and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.

The Department’s COVID-19 helpline is also available on weekdays from 8.30am to 5pm on 1800 338 663. If you know a family who speak a language or languages other than English and you know they would like further information, interpreting services are available by phoning 131 450 first.
For families with a child with a disability, the Association for Children with a Disability (ACD) has additional information.

And, finally, a reminder that if you, your child, or a family member develops symptoms of COVID-19 you should get tested at a COVID-19 testing facility and stay home.

Each family should regularly check the list of public exposure sites in Victoria (where a person with COVID-19 has attended), and if anyone in the family has attended a site at the times listed, follow the instructions given.

Please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or House Leaders or contact the school if you have any concerns.

Vern Hilditch
Executive Principal

Please refer to the advice below.

• We are encouraging people who encounter this content to report it to the social media platform they’ve seen it on, or to eSafety at www.esafety.gov.au/report/illegal-harmful-content.
• Please exercise discretion in any communication about this incident to students, parents, staff, and your communities. In particular, we would encourage your staff to avoid raising the issue with students who may not have heard or been exposed to this video. Drawing undue attention to the issue may cause unnecessary worry or distress and increase exposure.
• For staff in schools, we advise that they monitor those students who are more vulnerable and at-risk, and check in with them about their interactions on and offline. If a young person is presenting with signs of distress, schools should follow their own procedures for managing and supporting students at risk.
• If a life is in danger call Triple Zero (000) right now.
• Please encourage anyone who may be at risk or experiencing emotional distress, including worried family and friends, to contact one of the following services:
  • Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800. Phone support is there all day, every day. Online support is open from 8am-midnight every day (AEST).
  • Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467. Phone support all day, every day, and follow-up calls.
  • eHeadspace: 1800 650 890. Open 9am-1am daily (AEST).
  • Lifeline: 13 11 14. Phone support all day, every day. Online support 7pm-4am daily (AEST).
  • Beyondblue: 1300 22 4636. Phone support all day, every day. Online support 3pm-midnight every day.

Please let us know if you have any questions regarding the above.

This letter is to inform you about the 2020 Student Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS), that your child is invited to participate in.

About the survey
We value student voice as a means to improving student engagement, wellbeing and quality instruction and are conducting a survey to find out what your child thinks of your school.
The AtoSS is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education and Training to assist schools in gaining an understanding of students’ perceptions and experience of school.
This year, the survey also includes some questions about student health and wellbeing and student perceptions of COVID-19. Understanding health and wellbeing needs has always been important, but especially so this year, and the Department is providing this survey to allow schools to capture this information to support students. Students will be asked about their thoughts and feelings in relation to their school, family, friends, health (including mental health) and wellbeing, and bullying.
The health and wellbeing questions are taken from another Department survey called the Victorian Student Health and Wellbeing Survey (VSHAWS) that has been conducted with a sample of schools in Victoria since 2014. The questions about COVID-19 have been developed by or recommended by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

This year, the AtoSS will be conducted at your school over the period Monday 31 August  to Monday 14 September.

What are the risks?
While we do not anticipate many risks of participation, some students may find the survey questions to be more personal and sensitive in nature this year. Should you agree for your child to participate, they are still free to skip questions or to withdraw at any stage if the survey makes them upset or uncomfortable.

What are the benefits?
In our experience, the majority of young people enjoy having the chance to have their say. Your school will use the survey results to plan programs and activities to improve your child’s schooling experience.

What will my child be asked to do?
Your child will be invited to complete the survey online during class time using a purpose built secure online survey tool.  It is important to note that we are not in any way “testing” your child. Please note:

• Student participation in the survey is voluntary and students may withdraw at any time.
• The survey will take around 30-40 minutes to complete.

How is my child’s confidentiality protected?
Your child will be provided with a unique login to complete the survey from their teacher. The student login is an assigned identifier that may be used to link data for statistical and research purposes only. Personally identifiable data will not be recorded in the survey response file. This ensures that the confidentiality of your child’s responses is protected at all times.

How will results be reported?
The survey results will be reported back to the school in an aggregate form in term 4. All survey data that is made available in reports are for groups of students only so that no individual student can be identified. Data suppression rules are used for schools with low student numbers per year level.

Options for participation
Participation in this survey is voluntary. If you do not wish for your child to do the survey, please opt out via email to your school: SeniorCollege@wssc.vic.edu.au Please do so before Monday 31 August, stating that you wish to opt out of your child’s participation, along with their name, school and year level.

If your school does not receive a Refusal of Consent email from yourself before the survey commencement date mentioned within this letter, it means that you give your consent for your child to participate in the 2020 Attitudes to School Survey.

A copy of the survey that we are asking your child to complete is available from your child’s school. Please contact the administration office if you would like to see the survey before making your decision about whether you would like your child to participate.

If you would like more information, please speak to your child’s teacher, or contact the Department at attitudes.school.survey@education.vic.gov.au.

These requirements apply to all schools across the government, Catholic and independent sectors and across all metropolitan Melbourne and rural and regional Victoria. The changes to schools’ operations will come into effect from Wednesday 5 August, following a student free day on Tuesday 4 August, and are likely to apply until the end of Term 3. As outlined in the Chief Health Officer’s advice on Friday, schools remain safe places for staff and students – but these steps are critical measures to reduce the movement of students and families across the state.

There are implications for our school, and for families in our school community.
A summary of what the changes mean for schools is below.

RURAL AND REGIONAL VICTORIA – PREP TO YEAR 10

• Prep to Year 10 students will move to remote and flexible learning.
• On-site supervision in rural and regional Victoria will be available to:
  • Children whose parents cannot work from home
  • Vulnerable children
  • Any child with a disability

SENIOR SECONDARY YEAR 11 AND 12 (VCE AND VCAL)

• All Year 11 and 12 provision for both VCE and VCAL will move to remote and flexible learning.
• The GAT will be rescheduled from Wednesday 9 September to Wednesday 7 October.
• The schedule for the VCE examinations and release of results will remain as previously advised.
• Further information about consideration of disadvantage and coronavirus (COVID-19) will be provided shortly

SPECIALIST SCHOOLS

• Any child enrolled in a specialist school in rural and regional Victoria will be able to continue to attend.
• Any parent of a child enrolled in a specialist school in rural and regional Victoria who wishes to keep their child at home can do so, and where possible, the school can provide learning materials and activities for the child and their parent to complete at home.

TIMELINE

• Monday 3 August will be a ‘normal’ day of school under current arrangements, with students attending on site learning asked to take all their necessary learning materials home.
• Tuesday 4 August will be a student-free day across Victoria to enable teachers, especially in rural and regional Victoria, to prepare for flexible and remote learning.
• Wednesday 5 August will be the first day of new arrangements for schools across Victoria
• This is a day ahead of the statewide introduction of the Stage 3 restrictions in rural and regional Victoria, but will provide for a smooth transition and will enable as much continuity of learning as possible.

I will provide an update soon about arrangements for remote and flexible learning at our school.
Thank you for your understanding and support.

David Whitehead
Campus Principal

• Face coverings will be required to be worn at all times by all students and staff
• Teachers may remove their face covering when teaching, but must wear it at all other times
• Students are required to supply their own face covering
• A small number of masks will be available at the school for emergencies
• Students who refuse to wear a face covering will be required to go home
• Exemptions from wearing a face covering must be sought from the Site Principal

Should the DET guidelines change we will communicate this ASAP.
We also remind our School community that if you or your child are sick, or have symptoms, stay home from school or work and get tested ASAP. It is everybody’s collective responsibility to ensure the health and safety of our community.
If you have any questions in relation to this please contact the School