Letter to parents: 26 March 2020

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As I was walking around the yard this morning I heard the sounds of giggling, laughing children. It was Year 1 hand washing time, and when you are a Year 1, hand washing is a lot of fun. It is nice to know, that in the midst of everything that is going on, children still find pleasure in the little things.

Pupil Free Days

In this rapidly changing environment today the South Australian Government mandated that the four (4) days prior to Easter will be pupil free days so that schools can continue their preparations for an on-line distance learning model. This means that school will finish at the close of the day on Friday 3 April (Friday next week).

The Student term break (holidays) will now commence on Monday 6 April, and will conclude on Friday 24 April. On Monday 27 April Term 2 will commence. That will either be in school or at home depending upon what the Government decides before then.

Out of School Hours Care (OSHC)

OSHC will be open in Week 11 for the non-pupil days. Priority will be given, but not limited to, the children of Hope Christian College essential services employees such as Health Care workers. Please contact our OSHC by emailing oshc@hopecc.sa.edu.au for further information or call OSHC on 0490 113 631.

Your Child’s Enrollment is Safe

Your Child’s enrollment at Hope Christian College is safe. If your job is affected by the coronavirus, please send your children to school, or if your children are at home, join in the online learning. Please contact the Finance department and have a conversation on 8287 1111.

Challenges

Schools are facing the biggest challenge they have ever faced. At Hope Christian College one of our strong points is face-to-face teaching and learning, together as a community, we are not set up to be distance educators. We are currently developing a way of teaching and learning that we have never had to use before. We are working hard to provide ongoing education for all of our students.

On-line distance education is going to require parents to be involved in their child’s education at home. Teaching will be scheduled during school hours on Monday through Friday of each term week. Please understand that not every lesson will be video conferencing or live streamed by the teacher. There will be some live videoconferencing lessons online and online worksheets and assignments for students to complete.

Please be patient with us as we negotiate the challenges and the rapidly changing Government directives. Front Office staff are doing their best to assist you with your enquiries, however, they are not always going to be able to guarantee a call back or an email from teaching staff, or to provide what you are requesting. We ask that you are patient as we all try our best to keep things running.

On-line Learning at home

We are hoping to produce material which will assist you with managing on-line learning at home. A number of your children’s lessons will be conducted using a Video-conferencing App called Zoom. This is a live video conference so the class will be able to see and hear what is happening in your home. Please be careful to ensure you are aware of what is being said and done within earshot of your child’s computer during these sessions. If you are near the computer we may be able to see and hear you. Your child should use their computer in the kitchen or high traffic area in the house. Children should not be using their devices in their bedrooms.

Uniform Shop

Perm-a-pleat who run the uniform shop have advised that the Uniform Shop will now be closed until further notice. We will advise you when the shop is going to re-open. We are all facing challenges which we were not prepared for, and it is going to take some patience, respect and care for us to successfully negotiate the coming few months.

Blessings

D Hopps
Principal