Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

At this difficult time in our world, I am keen to emphasise with parents how important it is for students to stick to routines and continue with normal expectations in relation to learning and teaching at St Paul’s College.

Looking to the future, College staff are currently generating plans that will be put in place if the school needs to be closed for any length of time, noting that currently we will remain open until the scheduled holiday period begins on Good Friday.

Teaching and learning is continuing as normal and all excursions or staff absences to participate in Professional Learning opportunities have been postponed.  Staff Professional Learning is continuing remotely, using Zoom, and some students will also be participating in Zoom meetings in lieu of excursions.  This will be the case until at least the conclusion of Term 2.

Please find below guidelines for parents who have decided to self-isolate their children from school for a variety of reasons.  Teachers will not be strictly adhering to these guidelines for cases of self-isolation, however, this is a good start for parental expectations of students who are being self-isolated from St Paul’s.

St Paul’s College Online Teaching and Learning Plan – Guidelines for Parents:

1. Remember the School Values of Respect, Resilience and Hope
   As a community anchored in faith we:
   - Value every child’s education and provide opportunities that empower all
   - Work collaboratively as we adapt, adjust and accommodate all emerging scenarios
   - Remain optimistic and supportive of each other
2. Establish Routines and Expectations From the first day of school closure or self-isolation, your child should begin their studies at 9.05 am and should be expected to maintain normal school day routines as far as possible.  It is important that parents set these expectations for how students will spend their days starting as soon as possible after the decision to self-isolate.
3. Define the Physical Space for Study We encourage families to establish a space/location where students will learn most of the time.  If possible this should be a place that can be quiet.
4. Communications with Teachers Teachers and students can communicate via Stile and Email.  Teachers will answer emails when available to do so, but will be prioritising face to face teaching of students who are attending school. Parents are asked to encourage your child to be proactive in communicating with their teachers.
5. Communication with the College If your child is unwell and unable to complete their coursework, please email catriona.martin@lism.catholic.edu.au, leon.robinson@lism.catholic.edu.au or the relevant Leader of Learning, can be found in the front of your child’s diary.  Staff will endeavour to respond to all communication in a timely manner.

6. Begin and End Each Day with a Check-In It is important that students feel supported during this time.  We encourage you to regularly check-in with your child to ensure that they are engaged in their learning.  If you have any concerns, or your child needs assistance, you are encouraged to make contact with the relevant staff member via Email.  Staff will respond to these email enquiries taking into consideration their priorities in face-to-face teaching.
7. Take Breaks Which Include Physical Activity and/or Exercise Make sure students remember to move, take regular breaks and exercise.  This is vitally important to their health, well-being, and learning.  Breaks are an important part of the day and it is recommended that they are to be off-screen. during these break times.

School Visit by Steve Jeffery (Police Liaison Officer)   We have been very fortunate to have had visits from Constable Steve Jeffery throughout the last fortnight to speak to students from Years 7–11 about some very challenging issues surrounding the use of Information Technology Devices (I-pads, computers, Smart phones) especially in the areas of Social Media Bullying and Sexting.  He also spoke to the more senior students about drink driving.

Steve’s many years of experience in the Macleay Valley enables him to speak with authority to our children about the dangers they face in the areas outlined above, and we really value his input.  Students were able to ask questions and received clarifications regarding the legality of very serious issues.  I hope that they heed Constable Jeffery’s advice and be very prudent in their choices around the topics discussed at these meetings.

Year 12 Assessments    All assessments being completed during the final weeks of Term 1 will already be notified to Year 12 students and I trust that they are preparing adequately for these crucial internal assessment activities.  Illness/Misadventure forms are available from Student Admin and students must have medical evidence when applying for Medical Misadventure.

Lenten Reflections   We are truly blessed to have Calissa Percival and Darcy O’Loughlin as our Youth Ministry Officers (YMO’s) for 2020.  Darcy and Calissa have been producing Daily Lenten Reflections and I was particularly moved by todays.

Invitation to Prayer:  Brothers and sisters, let’s pray together that we can turn our hearts, minds, and souls towards Christ.

Reflection:  “Return, O Israel, to the Lord, your God”.   In times of stress and anxiety is it hard to remember how close the Lord is to us.  He calls to us and beckons us to return to Him.  The word ‘return’ can make it feel like the destination is so far away.  But because the Lord surrounds us, he is already near and there is never far we have to go to find Him.  Perhaps it is just our attention that needs to return to Him.  Perhaps all we need to do is look up or turn around.  I get so distracted and bogged down by my worry that to come out of that place feels impossible.  But the moment I call the Lord to mind I know He is here with me.  It is a daily conversion we must undergo – choosing God.  And in times of uncertainty it makes it hard to possess the faith and hope the Lord desires from us.  In this passage from Hosea, the prophet urges the Israelites to return to the Lord for He will be like dew: refreshing and bringing of new life.

We find ourselves now in the desert of Lent, and it is now, in this particular Lent that the whole world is experiencing, that we need to rely on the life-giving water of Christ.  He will bring new life, He will quench our thirst, He will guide our feet, and He will make straight the path.  In the Gospel for today, Jesus tells us that the greatest of the commandments is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  With our whole beings, and with every moment of our day, let us turn to God and live through Him and for Him.

Prayer: Oh Lord, in this season of Lent, help us to turn our minds, souls, and hearts to you.

Closing: Brothers and sisters, let us pray for one another.

Let’s all hope that the stress and anxiety caused by our current situation will soon be alleviated by steady hands and heads.

Mr Leon Robinson - Acting Assistant Principal