A Letter from the Principal
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
The next few months will bring many challenges and new experiences for all of us. We are committed to working with you to support your child’s wellbeing and make their learning experience the best we possibly can.
Our aim is to provide Wallan Secondary College students with the experiences necessary to easily and successfully utilise online learning tools such as Compass, Microsoft Teams, real-time chat and video conferencing in an educational context.Some of the strategies they are encouraged to develop during our program relate to being an effective online collaborator, being proactive about one’s learning, asking pertinent questions during online sessions, avoiding online distractions and using learning time wisely when outside of the physical school environment.
Learning Space
Try to create a quiet and comfortable learning space for your child. Ideally, a space for extended learning should be a communal space, free of distraction but not in a bedroom. It should be a place that can be quiet at times and have a strong wireless internet signal if possible.
Family Communication
Communication is the key. We encourage you to start and end each day with a simple check-in. The check-ins should be a regular part of each day and start straight away. Not all students thrive in a remote learning environment; some struggle with too much independence or lack of structure.
In the morning, ask: What classes do you have today? What are you looking forward to today? How will you be spending your time? What resources do you need? What support do you need?
In the afternoon, ask: What did you learn today? What went well today? What is one thing that was difficult? Are you ok? Do you need to ask your teacher for something? Do you need help with something to make tomorrow more successful?
Daily timetable for remote learning:
The Department of Education has suggested the following program for students.
For students in Years 7 to 10 schools will provide learning programs allocated as follows:
• Literacy: 45-60 minutes
• Numeracy: 30-45 minutes
• Physical Activities: 30 minutes *
• Additional curriculum areas: 90 minutes
VCE/VET/VCAL
For students in the senior secondary years, teachers will provide learning resources and tasks that enable students to develop and demonstrate the learning outcomes defined in the relevant VCE study designs and VCAL strands.
As such, we will be following the normal school timetable as per Compass schedule.
Teachers are planning 30-35 minutes lessons for each period every day. This builds in time for students to take a break between periods, enjoy some physical activity then get ready for their next lesson.
Work will be provided through Compass and Microsoft Teams. Further advice and instructions for parents and students will be provided in the coming days. If you do not have a computer or access to a device or Internet, the college will provide hard copies of the work and this will be mailed out.
Should you require additional information or support please do not hesitate to contact me at the college.
Regards
Michael Ritchie
Principal
Wallan Secondary College