02 Apr 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
I would like to thank our fabulous school community for your support and constructive feedback as the staff have moved to teaching completely online. This is a huge change for all of us and we are learning as we go. Thank you for your positive feedback. It is really uplifting to feel acknowledged. Your constructive feedback has been useful in deciding next steps for Kiama High School. We have heard you and are mindful that some students have too much work to be able to complete in a period or a day. We have learned that families are sharing devices and online access so maintaining a regular timetable can be tricky for some. Also some have reported that they are having internet issues and that Endeavour Energy is carrying out essential maintenance so power has been out, at times for a whole day, across our area which further impacts on students connecting to some of the online lessons.
To that end we have put the following recommendations and advice in place.
- Lessons will be about 30 minutes in length and planned for the day, not necessarily for a particular time unless students are required to be online. Please ask your child to liaise with their teacher re any issues. We do not want anyone to feel overwhelmed.
- At this time roll marking/attendance is difficult in this mode of delivery. We are asking teachers to monitor attendance in classes either through a quiz or through a message. Again we are being flexible.
- Thanks to our Head Teachers Wellbeing and Teaching and Learning who are checking in on students not engaging with our online platforms. This is being followed up regularly.
- Melissa Anthony, Deputy Principal has distributed a Years 7-9 assessment grid until the end of term to parents.
Kerrie Powell, Deputy Principal has distributed a Years 10 - 12 assessment grid until the end of term to parents.
- We are currently working on revised assessment schedules for Term 2 assessments. Schools have been provided greater authority at this time. We want all students but especially our HSC students to feel supported.
- Kiama high School's counselling service is still available 5 days a week via phone or email. Please phone 42 321 911 or email Anna Hunt (annalise.hunt@det.nsw.edu.au) or Ali Brown (alison.brown47@det.nsw.edu.au) if you would like to make contact.
Regards
Catherin Glover