01 Apr 2020
Dear Families,
I would like to acknowledge the great work of families in supporting the remote learning of students and familiarising themselves with the SENTRAL Parent Portal and the work provided through Google Classroom. This is a steep learning curve for everyone. As the executive and myself have spoken with families across the week, the patience and goodwill in managing the many challenges and actively being involved in student learning is inspiring.
Year 7 – 9 Assessment
All assessments for Years 7 - 9 as per the student handbooks are postponed. We anticipate that a revised assessment schedule will be published early Term 2. Further revisions may be necessary, depending upon the changing circumstances. Tasks given to students online may be used to assess student learning.
Google Classroom
Class Access
Each class has a unique Google Classroom. Students can access each of their Google classes using a unique code. The codes have been sent to students via the SENTRAL Student Portal in case they may have forgotten. If your child is having trouble accessing their Google classes, they should let their teacher know through the Student Portal. Alternatively, if you email the school we will endeavour to provide the codes as quickly as possible.
Communication
The opportunity for students to communicate with their teachers and ask clarifying questions, whilst also receiving feedback, is important. In each Google class, students are able to communicate with their teacher. The chat facility is called a ‘stream’. When communicating with their teachers, students need to ask their questions in the ‘stream’. Teachers understand that students may wish to ask individual questions without sharing this with the whole class. In such an instance, the students would still send an individual message, but alert the teacher of this message through the ‘stream’.
Response Times
Teachers will be checking their Google classrooms each school day during school hours and will respond to student questions and concerns within a 24 – 48 hour time frame. Feedback related to individual tasks will require a longer timeframe. Please understand teachers are working remotely and are experiencing technical difficulties from time to time, including internet connection.
Zoom
Since last week there have been almost daily changes to the Zoom platform aimed primarily at improving its accessibility to Department of Education staff and student safety.
At this time all staff, faculty, executive and senior executive meetings are being conducted through Zoom. This is enabling teachers to continue to develop and refine their skills with this platform. Today, a Year 12 Year meeting with approximately 100 students was successfully conducted by the Deputy Principal Ms Kriz. Between now and the end of term each Year 12 teacher will conduct a Zoom lesson with their class, with some Year 11 teachers also trialling Zoom with their classes.
We are looking at how we can make effective use of Zoom across the school in the coming term.
Maintaining effective channels of communication and being connected to others is one of the challenges of this time. Students are encouraged to use Google Classroom each day to connect with their teacher. In the event that you have a question as a parent please email the school at greystanes-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au. We will endeavour to respond as quickly as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Grant Sparke
Principal
Wednesday 1st April, 2020