From the Deputy Principal
Kay Bradley
- Can I send my child to school?
Queensland’s current effort in fighting Covid 19, involves opening schools for essential workers’ students only. We understand that helping your child to learn at home, especially with current technology issues, is extremely challenging. We ask for your support in keeping our numbers low and allowing our teachers to support learning at home. If you are an essential worker, working outside of the home, you should inform the school of your essential worker status, via email to Principal @newfarmss.eq.edu.au
- Can teachers use Zoom or Facetime for students learning at home?
Queensland Education Department is looking into alternative programs for face-to-face teaching and learning. Under the Department’s current guidelines, teachers are not able to use programs such as Skype, Zoom, FaceTime or Messenger with students. Once a new program is released and teachers are provided thorough training, we will share all details with you.
- Is there a daily timetable that students follow?
Teachers will suggest a timetable that you can follow, but as our families are all in different situations; some with more than one child and some that are working from home, there is flexibility in the study timetable. The learning time that is suggested is between 2 and 3 hours a day.
- What is the overview for student learning at home for the next five weeks?
During this time, our staff are continuing to deliver New Farm’s whole school curriculum plan. This plan is aligned with the Australian curriculum and ensures students achieve standards appropriate to their year level. In doing so, teachers will be able to transition back to face -to- face teaching more easily.
- What can we do if there are issues with technology?
It is frustrating for everyone that the technology is not able to keep up with the current demands placed on it. Whilst the state-wide issues continue, teachers will continue to prepare for online and will provide alternative learning activities should technology fail. A list of these ‘offline’ activities, for each year level, will be posted on the website by close of business tomorrow.
- How do I contact my class teacher?
Teachers are working hard to prepare work for students at home and at school. This preparation and delivery is their priority. We would appreciate it if parents email any questions between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Teachers will take time each day, to answer emails and if the same issue is coming up for multiple parents, may respond in a short video. Parents should not come into school to talk to teachers.
- Why do I have to contact the school every day to indicate if my child is learning from home?
It is an Education Queensland requirement that students’ attendance is recorded each day. An email from you is needed as close to 9 a.m. as is practical to allow us to record our attendance.
- What does learning look like for children attending school?
Students of essential workers attending school, are supported by relief teachers and specialist teachers. They are in rooms that allow for social distancing and are engaged in the same activities that are set for ‘at home learners’.