This morning the NSW Premier has announced that from tomorrow, all NSW schools will be transitioning to teaching and learning from one platform, this being a distance-learning model.
She strongly encouraged all parents to keep children at home from tomorrow. Schools are to remain open for those parents who have no other option and whose children will require supervision.
Danebank’s preparations and planning have positioned us well to implement the Premier’s decision effectively and calmly in the coming days. Therefore, Danebank will accelerate our Distance Learning Pilot to begin tomorrow, Tuesday 24 March, with teachers finalising their preparations and students not participating in any online learning for two days.
All co-curricular activities have been cancelled until further notice. Please do not bring your daughter for any activities she might have been enrolled for in the mornings or afternoons. The School of Music Coordinator will be in contact with families with regards to individual music tutoring for Junior School.
Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 March:
Staff will finalise their preparations for the implementation of the Distance Learning Pilot. Students who have registered, may come to school for two days of “school care”. We have developed a plan and program to keep the girls engaged, as they won’t be following their usual learning program. The students who are on campus will not be cared for by the class teachers. Casual staff will be caring for these girls. Class teachers will be preparing and finalising their online teaching programs.
Please note: Because the dates have changed, you have to re-register your daughter’s attendance for the school care. Here is the new link for tomorrow and Wednesday.
To confirm:
- Students will not attend class as usual tomorrow and Wednesday. Students are encouraged to stay at home, or families may use the care program provided by the School if required. If you want to use this program, you must register here to enable the School to plan.
- On these days, staff will be on campus, finalising their preparations for the Distance Learning Pilot.
Week 9 (Thursday 26 & Friday 27) and Week 10 (Monday 30 March to Friday 3 April)
- Implementation of Danebank’s Distance Learning Pilot. The pilot will now last seven days. All other arrangements will remain the same:
- All learning will be via distance learning mode. This means that whether girls are at school or at home, we will be engaged in our Distance Learning Plan.
- Families are strongly encouraged to keep their children at home and engage in the Distance Learning Pilot from there.
- If you have no other option and your child requires care, the campus will remain open to allow students to engage in the Distance Learning Pilot from school. If you want to use this service, please register your daughter’s attendance here.
- Rolls will continue to be taken (online and on campus) and the normal absentee process will be in place.
- Years 11 and 12 Assessment Block will continue. Students are to come in to campus to sit the assessments if they are able to under our Health Action Plan.
- While staff will be on campus, there will not be any traditional face-to-face teaching of students as staff will be engaged in distance learning only. Please register here if you require your daughter to attend school during the seven days of the Distance Learning Pilot period.
- Students who are on campus for the pilot will be accommodated in groups in different venues on the campus in line with physical distancing requirements, however, not necessarily with their class teacher.
Week 11: Monday 6 to Thursday 9 April
- School holidays commence for students. Professional learning commences for staff.
- School holidays commence one week earlier for students (with the exception of those in Years 11 and 12, who are still needing to complete their assessments onsite).
- The School will consider the provision of a holiday program for families who may require this during this week. Please register for this program here.
- Staff will engage in four days of preparation for distance learning from Term 2, should this become the requirement from the Federal Government and NSW Health.
- Staff will remain on campus unless they need to work from home.
Term 2
Term 2 will commence for students on Tuesday 28 April, as scheduled. Our arrangements for Term 2 will be determined closer to the time.
Thank you
I want to thank you sincerely for the many messages of support I have received over these weeks as this situation has developed. These times are unique and we will overcome the challenges ahead together.
Our staff remain committed to connecting with the girls and ensuring that they continue to receive quality learning, experience a high level of student care and support, and know they belong to an outstanding Christian learning community.
The strength of our community is second to none. It is reassuring that we are here for each other with support, encouragement and our characteristic care and grace.
With warm regards and my prayers for our community.
Dr Emma Burgess
Principal
