Online Learning Test Days – Friday 27 / Monday 30 March

Since last Friday, our school Executive Team has been meeting twice daily in order to assess the constantly evolving situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and to develop our ongoing response.  Our approach continues to put the safety and welfare of our community first in accord with the advice from Federal and State Governments as well as Catholic Education SA.  We are also mindful of maintaining the continuity of our teaching and learning program for all students.

Currently, staff are working extremely hard to adapt their teaching programs for multiple modes of delivery.  We will be testing these teaching models this Friday 27 March and Monday 30 March. Students are expected to stay home from school on both these days.

On Friday, teachers will be testing their online lessons and students will not be required to participate.  Students are encouraged to use this day to work on any ongoing assignments, or undertake other independent study such as reading, or exploring the many learning resources available from our Library website.

On Monday, students will be required to log on to SEQTA and connect to the online learning platform, following their usual lesson schedule from 8.55 am (beginning of lesson 1).  Students are essential to the testing process that will be occurring on the Monday.  Student participation will assist in confirming the integrity of delivering our online learning and will also allow your son(s) to check that home systems are compatible and ready.

Student participation / attendance will be recorded.

On both Online Learning Test Days, students should stay at home to prevent the potential of catching or spreading COVID-19, and to continue with the current SA Health requirements regarding social distancing and protective hygiene practices.

Home Preparation for Online Learning

Please refer our Remote Learning Guidelines, and use these Online Learning Test Days to ensure that your home internet and IT systems are well prepared and ready to assimilate into this method of learning should it be necessary.  Any student who experiences difficulty will be able to discuss and follow up with their key teachers upon return to school on Tuesday 31 March.

Further information regarding the requirements of students on Monday 30 March will be provided by teachers before the end of school this Thursday.

All families should discuss with your son(s) the reality of potential longer-term online learning.  Should this occur, either by direction of government or through your own parental / caregiver choice, it is important that students understand that their learning is still the number one priority of Blackfriars.  It will not be a time of extended holiday.  Some students have already commenced online learning and are, on the whole, managing well with the support of our great teachers.

During any online delivery of learning, our teachers will also be online, remotely teaching, assisting, monitoring and marking student progress.

Families without home Internet access

For continuity of learning on Friday 27 and Monday 30, subject teachers will provide resources to students without internet access at home.  Students in this situation are asked to approach their subject teachers for specific directions and resources before the close of school on Thursday.  We will explore further options to assist these families in the longer term as required.

Early Learning Centre

Please note that the Blackfriars ELC will continue to operate as normal on both Friday and Monday. 

Out of School Hours Care

Our OSHC service will be available at the regular before and after school times on Friday and Monday, however, we are unable to offer a service during the day.  Families are asked to consider alternative arrangements as required. 

Parent / Teacher Conversations

A reminder that, as previously advised, we are not proceeding with the traditional format of a Parent / Teacher Conversation Evening this term.  Any parent who has requested an interview through Edval, will receive feedback via a Marksbook comment in the coming weeks.  As always, you can continue to communicate with your son’s teacher through SEQTA Direqt Messages.

Pastoral Care

As I said in my video message to the community yesterday, I want to reassure you that we are here to support all students and families throughout the upcoming period in whatever way we can reasonably be expected to do.

Please continue to visit the Info Hub on our school website for the latest updates and accurate information from Blackfriars regarding our response to the COVID-19 situation.

Thank you again for your continued support, understanding and cooperation throughout this difficult and challenging time as we all work together for the greater good to overcome the COVID‑19 virus.

Thankful of God’s blessing.

Simon Cobiac
Principal