Dear Families,

As we complete day six of our state lockdown and day three of remote learning, I sincerely thank the staff, students and families of Woodville High School for all you are doing to make our current experience successful. Following Steven Marshall’s press conference today, the lockdown will end from midnight tomorrow night. Woodville High School will open on Wednesday, but will remain closed for Monday and Tuesday of this week. We look forward to welcoming students and staff back to school on Wednesday morning, and the first lesson of the day will be a Pathways lesson, so we can effectively check-in with our students and welcome them back to school. Woodville High School continues to monitor the ongoing local, national and international situation with COVID-19 and all actions taken by the school are in consultation with the Department for Education and South Australian Government to ensure we are well informed and prepared.

As a priority, we will advise of any changes should they occur. The school will continue to offer onsite supervised care this week for children of essential workers, or children who are deemed vulnerable. As per last week, it would be appreciated if families requiring this service on Monday or Tuesday could advise the school on dl.0801.info@schools.sa.edu.au

Remote learning programs will also continue to operate on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 July. The feedback from staff regarding student engagement and attendance this week has been overwhelmingly positive, and Sandro Bracci will acknowledge this with a communication to students today. Students will continue to be reminded about logging in to Home Group by 8:40am to record attendance; dressed in neat casual attire, preferably uniform; prepared for lessons in a suitable study space; logged in and with their laptop charged. As outlined previously, our focus is to provide a continuity of learning and connection regardless of the current environment. Teachers will provide ongoing instructions for each of their student groups. Whilst the default source of information is Daymap, Zoom will continue as the main mode of visual connection.

Please note that personal counselling support is available throughout the lockdown and can be accessed through a request to any of your child’s trusted staff adults, or Student Services email via the school website. Additionally, students with IT issues can email our IT support team at any time via the web form on the school website found in the tab For Students > Contact IT.

I am always honoured to be a member of the Woodville High School community but am particularly so in this current climate. The current undertaking of remote learning is extensive and could not be achieved without the strong partnership of staff, students, and families. It remains incredibly important that we continue to draw on the strength of our community and show ongoing support and care for each other in every possible way. Parents are not expected to be teachers and staff cannot mimic school life at home particularly in such a short period. We can, however, maintain a child’s positive attitude to learning and support their wellbeing through connection with staff and peers.

We are a community, and we are here for you, so please look after yourselves and know we are thinking of you. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school, and speak with myself or a member of the executive team.

Update – 27th of July

It was pleasing to see the Minister and Rick Persse make special mention of families, teachers and students during today’s public announcement and his reinforcement of what we have achieved as a community.

Today the Premier announced that schools, preschools and children’s centres will reopen to all students on Wednesday 28 July 2021. As a result, Woodville High School will be open.

We will not be offering an alternative home-based learning program unless your child is impacted by SA Health quarantine orders. If your child has been impacted, please inform the school as soon as possible.

As the Chief Public Health Officer reported, just because the hard lockdown is being lifted does not mean that the risks associated with COVID-19 have passed.

As a result, we will:

  • minimise the number of people coming and going from our site. Wherever possible, please drop and collect your child at the gate and maintain the appropriate physical distance from other adults
  • postpone all school events, excursions and camps for the next week
  • require all staff and students in Year 8 and above to wear masks when indoors, on public transport or on school buses. Please note, that staff will not have to wear masks while teaching or working directly with students.

Students can wear their own cloth masks. We also have supplies of surgical masks available if they need them. Your child might have questions about wearing masks. It is important we continue to follow SA Health advice and your continued cooperation is greatly appreciated as we support students and staff with this necessary change.

The day will commence with Home Group Teachers for a Pathways Lesson to welcome students back to the school, reflect on the online learning and revisit expectations for the term in relation to learning, wellbeing, school policies, behaviour, attendance and uniform. If students have any wellbeing concerns a reminder that our wellbeing team is available to support all students during this time.

Thank you very much for your support during the lockdown. We look forward to having your child back at Woodville High School tomorrow.

Kind Regards,

Anna Mirasgentis
Principal of Woodville High School