CLASSES AS NORMAL MONDAY

Dear Parents/Carers and Students

The Premier has this afternoon announced new levels of COVID restrictions for Victoria. As a result of today’s announcement all Victorian schools will return to remote learning commencing this Wednesday.

School will be open and classes will run as normal on Monday. Tuesday will be a pupil free day across the state and remote learning will commence on Wednesday for students and continue for six weeks. This means we will return to normal classes for the last week of this term.

Monday is therefore a critical day for students. It will be their last opportunity to see teachers and collect all their learning materials, textbooks and laptops from school. I hope to see everyone in attendance. Please remember that face coverings are compulsory from tomorrow; see Friday’s Compass post for details.

The Department of Education and Training will continue to provide advice to schools and we will share important information as it is received. Please note government advice that all students who can learn from home must learn from home. Students who are unable to continue their learning at home and meet the following criteria are able to access the BSSC Library between 8.30 am and 3.30 pm each day to access remote learning:

  • Students who are in out of home care
  • Students deemed by Child Protection and/or Family Services to be at risk of harm
  • Students identified by the school as vulnerable

I understand that these arrangements will create uncertainty for many students, particularly those in Year 12 or completing a Year 12 VCE subject. Please be aware:

  • The GAT has been moved from September 9 to October 7.
  • Exam dates and the date for release of results remains unchanged.
  • Our planned exam revision support and practice exams will continue.

This decision ensures that all VCE and VCAL students are treated equally across the state. Your success depends, as always, on you working hard. This is not a time to disengage.

Returning to remote learning will pose challenges in many subjects, particularly those with a practical component such as VET classes. We will endeavour to do our best to support all students to be successful.

Students will be familiar with remote learning from their experience earlier this year. Student work will be published on Compass as well as in Google Classroom (for those classes using it) and our ‘live’ sessions will occur via Google Meets just as they did last time, a minimum of once a week for each class.

Tomorrow we will republish a slightly amended Guide to Remote Learning for students and parents via Compass.

Victoria faces significant challenges. It’s important that we all play our part. Wherever you are are, please follow government directions. Maintain good hand hygiene, use face coverings as directed, ensure you follow physical distancing advice and if you are unwell stay at home and get tested. If you display COVID-type symptoms remain at home and wait for your test results.

I will be doing another video message for students and parents in the next couple of days. Please continue to monitor Compass, your email, our website and our Facebook page for further information.

Regards

Dale Pearce
Principal