23 Mar 2020
Dear Parents/Caregivers
Premier Berejiklian has today made an announcement with regard to NSW public schools in light of the Covid 19 pandemic. In essence, her message is to strongly encourage parents/caregivers to keep students at home. Schools will remain open and offer supervision, with limited, ‘one unit’ of work provided, to those families who are unable, due to their work, to look after children. The Premier also said that ‘schools will move to online learning’ but noted, for simplicity, the school would offer only ‘one unit’ of work. We are seeking clarification as to exactly what this means.
At HSPA, we have the capacity, and staff have been working hard, to deliver online learning well beyond the simple model described by the Premier. The online learning is year and course specific and represents the ‘second-best’ option after normal face-to-face teaching. The online learning will be considerably richer than that able to be provided at school with ‘one-unit’ spanning many year groups and subject areas.
Our school has been planning online delivery, for many weeks. Staff have made Herculean efforts to be ready for the situation we now face. While there will likely be teething problems, we ask students, parents/caregivers to be patient as we have a team ready to address technological issues that may arise.
For many, this is a period of anxiety. In addition to the health concerns, many students are worried about their schooling, including preparation for the HSC. NESA, the body responsible for the HSC (and other areas), will be making a statement tomorrow. I do know that the best interests of students is guiding their decision making. The best interests of the students is always front and centre of everything we do at HSPA.
We urge all students, and families to encourage their children, to participate diligently in the online learning routines we’re implementing. These routines mean that time spent at home is used constructively, retains learning continuity, provides connection with the teacher and classmates. We believe these connections to be important on many levels.
We don’t know for how long this mode of teaching/learning delivery will continue. Our preparation recognises that it may be for a considerable time. With this in mind, our HSPA teachers will undertake an additional, 3 hour, after school course in refining online delivery. Despite the inevitable ‘hiccups’, we are confident that our school will meet the challenges.
It is important that during this time that we are sensitive to the needs, stresses and strains put on students, their families and our teaching and administrative staff. Like many families, our staff also have to juggle added family responsibilities, manage those close who are elderly or who have compromised immunity.
If your child has difficulty accessing a device or the internet from home, please contact our Deputy principal, Karen O’Neill, as soon as possible so we can support them. Karen.Oneill@det.nsw.edu.au
All school communication about online delivery will be on the front page of our website:
COVID-19 info for offsite delivery
As I write this, I am aware that circumstances are changing rapidly, and I know the importance of frequent updates to keep you in the picture. Communication is key to mutual understanding.
Please do your best to stay safe and positive. Remember too, to consult authoritative/official sources and not dive into the sea of online opinion.
Warm regards
Jo Gray
Click HERE for Department of Education website