Message From The Principal - 27th May 2021 - Scotch College

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Message From The Principal - 27th May 2021

27th May 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Following today’s lockdown announcement by the Victorian Government, I write to inform that:

In the Junior School, from, and including, Monday, 31st May, to, and including, Thursday, 3rd  June, (or until otherwise directed), all teaching and learning will be conducted in remote format. Please note, the designated Pupil Free Day on Friday, 4th June has been switched to tomorrow, Friday, 28th May, meaning Junior School boys will return from lockdown to classes on Friday, 4th June.

In the Senior School, from, and including, Friday, 28th May, to, and including, Thursday, 3rd June (or until otherwise directed), all teaching and learning will be conducted in remote format. Please note, the designated Pupil Free Day on Friday 4th June remains, though the School will accommodate boys whose families feel are made vulnerable as a consequence.

I would further note: 

  • In the remote environment, lessons will follow the normal timetable and be delivered through either the Conference or Zoom facility within the School’s Learning Management System (Canvas).
  • The boarding houses will remain open for boarders who choose not to return home today. Further relevant information will be communicated to boarding families.
  • Onsite operations will be restricted to those which are essential and the School campus will be closed to all but essential School staff.
  • From Friday, 28th May, to, and including, Friday, 4th June, the School (Prep to year 12) will remain open, for daytime (8.30am – 5pm) supervision of boys whose families feel are made vulnerable as a consequence of these restrictions, and boys whose families are permitted such access by the state government’s guidelines for authorised workers. Such boys will study online under teacher supervision while observing those protocols that are currently in place, including social distancing, the wearing of masks at all times and hygiene routines. Notice of such need, should be provided, at the soonest opportunity, to your son’s Head of School (Ms Stalker - Middle School boys; Mr Rayner - Upper School boys). For such communication regarding Junior School boys, please e-mail the Junior School office.
  • Staff will be contactable via e-mail. Routine academic matters should be raised with your son’s teachers, whilst more sensitive pastoral or academic care issues should be addressed with his Form Teacher (Middle School boys), Head of House (Upper School boys), or Deputy Head of Junior School (Junior School boys). The School Psychologists will be accessible to all boys.
  • Wherever possible, lessons will be recorded and made available to boys for further access. Boys’ online attendance, contributions during scheduled lessons and submission of work will be monitored carefully.
  • As in the previous periods of remote learning, boys should be encouraged to maintain a schedule that replicates the routines and rhythms of the School day, including making time for breaks between periods, time for recess and lunch, and undertaking regular physical activity in keeping with the current restrictions.
  • The School will continue to monitor government directives and advice from the Department of Health.

 

Of immediate significance, I note: 

  • There will be no sporting activities this Saturday, Sunday, or, indeed throughout this period of lockdown.
  • Sadly, the OSCA Annual Dinner scheduled for tomorrow evening is cancelled, hopefully to be rearranged.

Further communication will follow regarding other events, including the Tattoo, the Winter Concert, DAV Debating and Maree Crabb’s Parent Information session scheduled for Wednesday.  

The School is again very much aware of the disruption being caused to families’ lives and the boys’ education. Like all in our community, everyone at Scotch very much hopes this time of separation proves effective and that we are quickly back, ready to grasp all the opportunities our School has to offer.

Once again, I thank you for your continued patience and support, and, with what I hope is well placed optimism, look forward to welcoming the boys back on their respective dates of return.

Yours sincerely,     

Tom Batty

Principal

 

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