JUNIOR SECONDARY at Cooktown P-12 State School
Dear Junior Secondary Parents and Carers,
The Queensland Government has decided that, in order to reinforce social distancing across the community and slow the spread of COVID-19, state school students will move to a home-based learning model from 20 April 2020 until at least 22 May 2020.
During this period, all students who are able to be supervised and learn from home are to stay home, except for vulnerable students, children of essential workers and students in designated Indigenous communities.
School staff will attend work on-site to support continuity of learning for students and to ensure adequate supervision of students who attend school.
Students who attend school will participate in the same home-based learning activities that have been set by their regular classroom teachers.
A decision regarding the second half of Term 2 will be made by mid-May.
JUNIOR SECONDARY LEARNING
Teachers have prepared work for Junior Secondary students to complete for the following subjects: English, Mathematics and Science. This was based on advice provided by Education Queensland prior to the end of Term 1. This letter is also accompanying the the work packages.
The work packages are available for parents and carers to pick up on Monday from 9am to 1pm. After 1pm the work packages will be sent home via mail. Students who are learning at school will be given their work packages at school.
Our current plan is to send out workbooks to students each fortnight. It is the expectation that students will complete the work sent out, and return it for marking and feedback, reflecting the in-school teaching and learning cycle.
The work can be returned to specific Cooktown P-12 State School Student Work Drop Boxes located at:
- Cooktown IGA
- Cooktown Post Office
- Cooktown P-12 State School
- Hopevale State School
If you are unable to return the work to these locations, please contact your child's Case Manager (see section below).
For the first fortnight, all work is due by Friday May the 1st. Please ensure the student's full name is at the top of each workbook that you are handing in. You are welcome to return the work in the envelope that was mailed to you or given to your child, but please ensure the student's full name is written on each workbook.
Students and parents can contact their subject teachers for English, Mathematics and Science for help. On the front of each workbook is a cover sheet that provides contact details for the teacher of the subject. Please email the teacher or call the teacher; if the teacher is unavailable, they will call or email back. It is imperative that if the student does not understand the work that they contact the teacher and seek assistance.
Classroom Teachers to Contact (Email or Phone):
7 English – Venus Burton
7 Maths – Bri Morgan
7 Science – Cass Sorensen, Jodie Little
8 English – Chelsea Johnson, Neil Lewis
8 Maths – Jodie Little, Steve Stokes
8 Science – Andrew Morris, Cass Sorensen
9 English – David Callick
9 Maths – Cass Sorensen
9 Science – Herman Rijken, Cass Sorensen
Education Queensland has also provided resources to supplement student learning. These resource can be located at the learning@home website at https://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/learning-at-home
LEARNING AT SCHOOL
Students who will be continuing their learning at school will be working through the same assigned workbooks. They will be supervised by staff who will be supporting their learning. We ask that students who are continuing to learn at school bring their workbooks every day.
BEHAVIOUR
Please note that the Cooktown P-12 State School Sequence For Managing Student Behaviour will continue to be applied for disruptive behaviour, misbehaviour, and conduct that adversely affects, or is likely to adversely affect, other students enrolled at the school or the good order of the school.
CASE MANAGER
Every student in Junior Secondary has been assigned a Case Manager. The role of the Case Manager is to provide a weekly check-in with the student/parent through a phone-call, and discuss with them any issues regarding their learning The Case Manager will not necessarily be the student's classroom teacher. The Case Manager also acts as a liaison if you require extra support or advice. Your child's Case Manager will contact you in Week 1 of the term.
REPORT CARDS
Term 1 Report Cards are enclosed with this letter. Please take the opportunity to discuss your child's results with them, and contact the relevant teacher for further information.
CONTACTING THE SCHOOL
A reminder of our protocol regarding contacting the school and teachers. We appreciate this is an extremely stressful time for parents and students, but please be understanding that our staff are also dealing with these new work conditions, in addition to also dealing with families, social distancing, and inability to connect with loved ones. We thank you for your understanding.
Our Junior Secondary staff are committed to your child succeeding, and are committed to making you a partner in their learning and social and emotional well-being.
Methods of communication from Junior Secondary staff may include:
- Phone Calls
- Emails
- Letters sent home
Please note that staff will be unable to contact you through social media.
It is also important that you feel comfortable in contacting the school if you have any questions, concerns, compliments, ideas or suggestions.
Please ensure that when you contact the school that you are respectful, and refrain from derogatory, slanderous or defamatory statements, coarse language, personal attacks, or threatening behaviour. Failure to comply with this request can lead to action being taken by the Principal under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (Qld). Teachers have the right to a safe, respectful workplace and will kindly terminate any contact that does not reflect this. Remember as adults we are models for how we want our children to act, behave, and speak. This ensures a level of respect for all parties involved.
We will continue to update you around any changes to processes through our school Website, Notice Board, and Facebook.
We encourage to continue to observe social distancing practices as per the Queensland Health information, and ensure that students who remain home are following all the Government requirements.
Please do not hesitate to call the school office if you have any questions or concerns.
Kind regards
David Lang
Deputy Principal – Junior Secondary
david.lang@eq.edu.au