A statment from the Principal - 24 March
Attendance and Remote Learning

Please note: the following message was sent by email to all students and families

Dear parents and caregivers,

In line with Minister Berry’s advice to the Canberra community yesterday (as clarified today) I am encouraging students to stay at home until advised otherwise. Over 80% of students stayed at home today.

The College is transitioning to a Remote Learning model of educational delivery. Archdiocesan Catholic schools will commence this mode of delivery from Day 1, Term 2 unless otherwise advised. MacKillop is keen to commence this now.

Currently, the College provides opportunities for online learning and communication through our Canvas learning management system together with GroupWise email. All subject classes have a Canvas page with Unit Outlines and Assessment, Homework, Class Activities and Resources available online. Teachers will provide instructions and further resources for students so that learning can continue to be productive. I recognise that this is patchy and inconsistent as a long-term alternative to being at school.

Over the next two days, in order to transition to a Remote Learning model, all staff will be engaged in:

1. Ensuring competence and confidence with all learning platforms, resources and communication modes for the delivery of Remote Learning
2. Extensive collaboration with colleagues to ensure that, should a teacher need to take sick or carer’s leave, their classes can be taught
3. Trialling the delivery of Remote Learning by teachers from their home
4. Trialling the relocation of some key support staff to work from home

As you can appreciate, units of work, resources and programming for remote learning have already been developed; the next few days are about uploading this work and trialling the technology. Friday 27 March will be the day that we commence trialling Remote Learning for students who are at home. During the day, teachers would welcome constructive feedback and advice from students and over the weekend from parents. Such advice will be incorporated into our evaluation of the trial.

The urgency of this is now being driven by the rapid spread of COVID-19. Were a member of our school to test positive to the virus, the College would immediately close, negatively impacting the development of the delivery of remote learning.

For students who have parents who are involved in essential services or who cannot be supervised at home the College is open to these students, as indeed are all schools in the ACT (as I understand it). Such students will be welcomed to the College each day, afforded appropriate opportunities for safe hygiene practice, and will engage in supervised online learning within the context of appropriate social distancing.

Year 11 and 12 students pursuing the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate
I am aware that some teachers have negotiated with some students to attend the College to participate in ‘in class’ assessments with their students, which are important. Where this has occurred, and where students are happy to attend, this continue during the rest of this term, provided:

• Opportunities for safe hygiene are in place
• Social distancing is practiced in the layout of the test centre
• Solutions will be found in consultation with the academic team and BSSS for those unable to attend

Please be assured that the BSSS affords schools considerable latitude in these matters. I am taking regular advice about the sustainability of such arrangements into the future. I would like students to be reassured about the College’s approach to their pursuit of this certificate and to very warmly thank those students and parents who have contacted me and other senior staff around matters to do with senior studies. As I understand it, each enquiry has been followed up by telephone or email.

Canteen
As you would be aware, the government has placed restrictions on restaurants and food outlets. As of Wednesday 24 March, students will only be able to order food from the canteen via the Flexischool app. There will be no facility to order in person at the canteen. Please note that orders must be entered by 9.30am each day.

In conclusion
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the expert technical support of many of our teachers and their professional generosity in sharing those skills with us all. I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous cooperative spirit of your sons and daughters in our school. Your forbearance as parents and carers, and as trusted members of our school community is of real comfort to me and your children’s teachers and support staff.

I apologise for confusion and delay with some of the communication. I appreciate that you understand that different levels of government and community messaging evolves and patience and forbearance are not always well served. The College is mindful of the frustration this can cause.

Yours sincerely in St Mary MacKillop,

Michael Lee
College Principal