Kay Bradley

If we do move onto learning from home next term, these frequently asked questions and answers should provide extra clarification.

Can I continue to send my child to school?

Yes, if you are an essential worker and are unable to work from home. The list of essential includes workers in the following areas:

• Food – production, distribution and retail
• Health – in addition to medical staff, this includes the manufacture, distribution and retail of health and hygiene products
• Emergency services – police, ambulance and fire services
• Schools
• Utilities – electricity, communications, water, sewerage and garbage
• Public transport.

Any parent requiring to send their child to school should send an email to Principal@newfarmss.eq.edu.au outlining their work and the name of their employer. This information will allow us to plan staffing for the students who need to be at school.

How much school work should I expect my child to do at home?

You will have to work out what best suits your family circumstances e.g. number of children at home, number of devices and your own well-being.  Although all curriculum areas are important, Maths, English, Science, Humanities (history and geography) and Digital Technology are the priority areas.

How do I get feedback from my child’s teacher?

Teachers will provide feedback to your child, in written or audio form. Teachers will respond to emails within 48 hours.

What arrangements are being made for feedback, to parents, on student progress?

All teachers will send home an interim report via email in week two, based on term one assessment.

I’ve received suggested activities for music, P.E. and Chinese.  I don’t feel confident supporting my child with these activities.  What should I do?

All our teachers are working from home and will provide you with some work that will continue your child’s learning.  Please contact the teacher for clarification and help if you feel unsure about the curriculum area.

I’m having technology problems and can’t access the curriculum content.  Who should I contact?

In the first instance, please contact your child’s class teacher.  If they can’t help, your issue will be sent to Mr Fenton our STEAM coach.  If your issue is linked to OneNote, or our curriculum resources, we may be able to help, otherwise you may need to contact your internet service provider.

I would rather my child did not use online learning resources, can the teacher supply hard copies of the learning materials?

This is a time that technology will be a great learning tool.  Teachers will be sending the content of lessons via OneNote.  You are able to adapt these tasks so that they can be done without the technology e.g. Mathletics lesson on multiplying single digits can be adapted to a paper and pencil task.

My child is finding the content too easy or too hard.  What differentiation is available?

Teachers are aware of the range of abilities within their class.  Each task will have differentiation attached so that you can help your child choose what suits them best.  In addition, teachers will be communicating regularly with our Inclusion team to provide differentiation for students receiving substantial or extensive support at school.

Each year level will also set a special interest project that students can access.  This will provide some extension for students requiring extra challenge.

The additional five Pupil Free days this week, are intended as an early holiday for students and no formal curriculum work is expected during this time.  Teachers are utilising these days preparing for the possibility of school closure in term two.  Any parents who wish to continue with learning, can use learning@home a website, accessible via the Queensland Education website.  It provides a range of activities to support students to continue their learning, as well as general advice and links to a range of high-quality public learning sites. 

We hope that you will take this time and the Easter holidays to relax and recuperate from a very stressful term.  The same advice is being given to all our staff. As such, teachers will not be answering emails during the holiday, but will be ready to continue with your child’s learning on Monday the 20th of April.