Many of us paid our respects on ANZAC Day differently this year. While we could not march or participate in local ceremonies we found other ways to show our respect to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and to those who have served and still continue to serve our country. An example of how some of our students and their families commemorated this day can be seen in this edition. 

This week saw the commencement of our renewed online learning program. In response to feedback provided last term, we made a number of changes to the delivery of our online learning. Some of these changes include the introduction of Zoom meetings, the development of instructional videos for assignments and providing clearer instructions about the time that should be allocated to completing a task. I hope you have found it easy to adapt to these changes and they have been beneficial to your learning. Reflections from some of our students and teachers on how they have adapted to online learning and teaching can be found in this Newsletter.

Next week (Week 2) we will continue with online learning for all students. The school will also be open for students who would like to attend. Starting in Week 3 we will begin transitioning students back to face to face learning. We are planning for Year 12 students to return to full time face to face teaching as quickly as possible to prevent further disruption to their HSC. Our Year 7 to 11 students will return at least one day a week.  We are currently finalising transition plans for all year levels, including the day/s each year level will attend school and this will be communicated with you early next week. A letter was also sent out to Year 12 parents and students via Compass this week providing an update on the HSC including HSC Trial exams and practical examinations. If you haven't read this yet I encourage you to take the time to do so.

Please remember all students are still required to complete their daily wellbeing survey before 10am each morning. Students are able to access their survey by logging into Schoology and clicking on their survey link.  This survey is important as it helps staff identify students who may need specific support and to respond where required. Also, Homeroom tutors are hosting Homeroom Zoom meetings each week and I strongly encourage students to attend these. These meetings will be held at 8.50am on a Wednesday morning starting from Wednesday of Week 2. 

Key Dates 

Monday 4 May - Friday 8 May Online learning for all students, school is open for students who would like to attend.

Wednesday 6 May - Homeroom Zoom Meetings commence

Monday 11 May - Transition to face to face learning begins

Chelsea James - Year 12
Online learning has been a very different experience for every student. Working from home has been both beneficial and distracting, a home environment is comfortable and it allows me to focus on my school tasks in order of urgency instead of being restricted to a time frame or a set timetabling schedule. However, younger siblings love to be the centre of attention which causes a loss of focus and can be quite distracting. It's been a new experience, especially in year 12, I have to say our teachers are being great supporters through it all. Responding to emails and discussion posts as quickly as possible, this provides us with prompt feedback and gives us a classroom feel. 

Speaking of classrooms, the introduction of zoom meetings has been a great addition, being able to see all of my classmates (even if it is virtually through a screen) has made isolation feel a little less lonely. I’d be lying if I said I didn't miss going to school because that's where I've been for almost 13 years of my life, but this change has not been all bad. I've definitely enjoyed a couple of sleep-ins! I hope each and every student is safe and well and staying on top of their online learning, I hope to see everyone soon.

Roley Sanson - Year 8

During the time of Coronavirus, a lot of changes have happened. Going from face-to-face interaction to online learning was one of the biggest changes during this time. In the subjects I had prac, like Food Tech, PDH and Music, we can no longer do those prac lessons. In those subjects, I can’t learn some of the hands-on stuff we would be learning at school at home. Learning from home was also a very new experience for me.

At home, there are so many more things to distract you from working, and your daily workload feels way bigger than usual. The last couple of days at school have also been strange, going from over 800 kids a day, to under 50 was very surprising to see. Zoom classes have also been a new experience I never thought I’d have to use, but now I am using it 3-4 times a day. Through this time my teachers have been really helpful in responding to questions that I have and telling us what to do and how to do it.

Click the links below to see videos from our School Captains. 

A message from Paddy

A day in the life of online learning with Mia

Click the link below to see the video from Mr Pinson's take on teaching during COVID-19

Teaching during COVID-19

Despite our current circumstances, it was wonderful to see the varied ways our students chose to remember the sacrifices of Australian and New Zealanders who have contributed and served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Within the strong and shining light of Christ, we pray ...

Risen Jesus,

You are the light that the darkness cannot extinguish.

You are the peace that the world cannot give.

Surround us with your peaceful Spirit so that we may become bearers of peace and light for others.

May we live a new life in you.

We ask this prayer in your holy name,

For you are the Light of the world. Amen.

Please take the few minutes to watch this video that shows students (and parents) what the learning in each class will look like.

By now many of our students will have received invitations to classroom Zoom meetings. 

Some tips for productive Zooms are as follows:

• Use your full real name so staff can identify you and let you in from the zoom waiting room.

• Keep yourself on mute when not talking (this avoids unwanted background noise disrupting the zoom)

• Beware of your appearance and the background of your video feed. Try not to choose a location where other household members may be filmed. 

For those of you that are having trouble signing into your Zoom lessons, please see this student guide. 

Finally, for any IT related issues, you are encouraged to seek our support by emailing xhs-support@ww.catholic.edu.au to be put in contact with an available and skilled member of our team.

You can view the mass here