Message From The Principal - Lockdown Information
12th February, 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Following today’s Stage 4 lockdown announcement by the Victorian Government, I write to inform that, from, and including, Saturday, 13th February, to, and including, Wednesday, 17th February (or until otherwise directed) all teaching and learning from Prep to Year 12 will be conducted in remote format.
I would further note:
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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).
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The boarding houses will remain open. However, Stage 4 restrictions impose limits on our boarding house numbers and families for whom it is safe and practicable, are asked to arrange for their sons to return home. Further relevant information will be communicated to boarding families.
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Onsite operations will be restricted to those which are essential and the School campus will be closed to all but essential School staff.
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The School 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 ‘essential’ 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.
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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.
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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.
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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 Stage 4 restrictions.
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The School will continue to monitor government directives and advice from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Of immediate significance, I note:
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There will be no sporting activities tomorrow (Saturday), Sunday, or, indeed, throughout this period of lockdown.
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There will be no camps (the Year 7 Camp scheduled for Monday will not take place), trips or excursions throughout this period of lockdown.
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The Year 8 Parent Information evening on Tuesday, 16th February, will run, as scheduled, in remote form.
Further communication will follow should the situation change.
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, in full voice, active body and keen mind, embracing all our School has to offer.
Once again, I thank you for your continued patience and support, and, with what I hope is sensible optimism, look forward to welcoming the boys back on Thursday morning.
Yours sincerely,
Tom Batty
Principal
