STUDENTS have returned to school for term two, despite teachers across the state preparing online learning portals for home quarantine – but a local high school says the portals will not go to waste.
Parents were encouraged to send their children back to school this week despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and teachers’ efforts to build online learning sites.
Waikerie High School (WHS) principal Craig Griffiths said while students are continuing their schedules as normal, quarantined students are still using the online portals set up at the end of term one.
“Our preparation for online learning during the last week of term one will not be wasted,” he said.
“The learning for all staff provided skills and knowledge that can be transferred into the classroom and provides us with the skills and ability to deliver learning online in the future if required.
“The online Daymap portal is still available to those students whose parents have decided to keep their children home.
“Teachers have continued to offer remote learnings as they did at the end of term one.”
Mr Griffiths said the school is taking extra precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic, with cleaners active twice a day during the week.
“We are continuing to promote social distancing when possible and make sure there is soap, sanitiser and tissues available,” he said.
“We have also increased our cleaning of the school. Cleaners are active for about three hours during the day, every weekday, and again after school hours.
“Strict monitoring of movement into and out of the school is occurring.
“We are very fortunate to have dedicated staff who have adapted to the unpredictable times we are in.”
Student attendance numbers were at 85 per cent through the first week back, and the school communicated to families that the preference of parents choosing to send their children to school during these times was up to them.
“Students can still communicate through Daymap with teachers to make sure they are receiving tasks and assignments, and submitting them via this portal,” Mr Griffiths said.
“This is a great program and the key medium of liaising between teachers, students and parents.
“They can send messages for support and the teachers are certainly willing to help.
“Parents are also encouraged to email teachers directly if they are having any concerns.”