Latest on COVID-19

Message from our Acting Principal - Friday 27th March 2020

This has been an end of term like no other! COVID -19 meant that our students had their last day of school on Monday, after the Victorian Premier announced the early start to school holidays the day before. Staff and students felt somewhat sad and apprehensive when they said their farewells, but Easter Bunny – alias Donna Baldock, helped to brighten everyone’s day.

Staff have spent the past few days preparing units of work that can be delivered remotely, in the event that schools cannot open at the start of next term. DMSC is well prepared for this scenario, as Edmodo has been used for several years as a method of delivering online curriculum. Students who do not have internet access at home have been provided with packs of hard copies of work to complete at home.

Parents have been kept up-to-date with any news via the school’s website and Facebook page. Our Wellbeing Coordinator, Sue Kuhnell, has created a document that provides contact details and useful information to assist those who may be experiencing heightened anxiety during these uncertain times. This can be found on the school website under the COVID-19 heading. I encourage the school community to continue to look at these online spaces during the school holidays to learn of any new developments regarding the coronavirus and its impact on schools.

In the event that schools are closed for an extended period, an information sheet will be provided to parents via the school website and Facebook page, and a text message will be sent prior to the start of Term 2.

I would like to wish all members of our school community a safe and restful holiday and hope that people can enjoy Easter, despite the fact that many will not be able to spend this time with family and friends, due to travel restrictions and social distancing regulations. Our thoughts are with those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic that is impacting all of our lives.

Stay home and stay safe, as we wait in hope for this challenging time to pass.

Sally Klinge

Advice

Department of Education and Training > Coronavirus advice
VCAA > Information for VCE Students
Learning from Home Advice

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Wellbeing

Wellbeing Help - Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak
Tips to manage anxiety during times of uncertainty
Talking to your child during Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Resources for Students

How to use School Closure to Surge Ahead Academically
Continuity of Learning for VCE Students - Unit 3-4 Assessment Tasks Update (25th March)

Quick Links

From our Acting Principal - Thursday 19th March 2020

It has certainly been an interesting start to my new role. COVID-19 has been front and centre of everyone’s minds, as we watch with concern how this pandemic is now impacting our lives. Classes have continued as usual and staff have been preparing for transitioning to remote learning. We will be using Edmodo to do this and guidelines will be sent home to all parents this Friday with their child’s report.

Updates regarding any possible changes to the normal school program are available on our school’s website. There are also links to the department’s website and to VCAA for VCE students. These can also be found of the school’s Facebook page.

I encourage all parents to make the choice that best suits their family situation regarding sending their child to school. If students are remaining at home, parents can assist their child with their learning by ensuring that they regularly check their classes on Edmodo. If hard copies of school work are required, please contact the school and this can be arranged.

What has been cancelled or postponed?

At the time of printing, it has been decided to cancel the Parent-Teacher Interviews that were scheduled for next Wednesday and the ANZAC Day school service on April 24, and to postpone the House Athletics Sports until further notice.

All camps and excursions have been postponed or cancelled and staff Professional Development sessions have also been postponed. The Health and Fitness Centre gym has been closed until further notice.

Introducing our Acting Assistant Principal

Congratulations to Mrs Charlotte Pyers, who will take on this role for the remainder of this term and all of Term 2. Charlotte will continue in her role as Head of Teaching and Learning and fulfil other duties associated with the job of Assistant Principal. I look forward to working closely with Charlotte and other members of the Leadership Team in the coming months.

School Council AGM

On Monday night, several new people were elected to positions on the 2020 School Council. Neil Zippel is the new President, with Teresa Smith taking on the role as Vice President. Charlotte Pyers is the new Treasurer and Gaynor Baker remains in the role as Secretary. Our new student representatives are Jack Kalms and Alex Zippel, who join Tess Robinson in providing student voice at our council meetings.

We thank Teresa and Lynley Robinson for the work that they have done over the past two years in their respective roles as President and Vice President.

Farewell to our German Exchange student

One of the unfortunate side effects of the coronavirus pandemic is that Hanna Robens, the Year 10 German Exchange student, must return home next week. This is about four weeks earlier than the planned departure, but we have been fortunate to have Hanna with us at DMSC, and she has visited all German classes to show students what life in her town of Lindau looks like and explain about her school. Tara Petschel is Hanna’s exchange partner and we are all hoping that life will have returned to normal by November, so that Tara can experience life in Germany.

Repaired Long Jump Pit

Three of our VCAL students have helped to improve the Long Jump pit as part of their VCAL work. Emma Baker, Jack Kalms and Hamish Sellens have worked hard over the past two weeks to install wooden casing around the pit and level the sand. Thank you to these three students for showing initiative and seeing this project through to completion just in time for athletics training in PE classes.

National Gallery of Victoria Excursion

Students in Years 9 and 10 visited the National Gallery in Melbourne last Friday. This is a wonderful experience for rural students, who do not always have the opportunity to see world-class exhibitions. Thank you to Mrs Simpson, Mr Lister and Ms Fell for accompanying the students.

As we move into unchartered waters regarding COVID-19, be sure to look out for one another and take care.

Sally Klinge

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Respectful Relationships DMSC would like to congratulate ex- DMSC student, Simone O’Brien on her tireless efforts as an ambassador for the White Ribbon & Family Violence prevention. This has increased the awareness of family violence within Dimboola, Nationally and globally. DMSC continues to promote respectful relationships and educate our students and community members regarding positive behaviour. Unfortunately, adversity may affect our community and we would like to support anyone experiencing any issues in relation to family violence. We have created a ‘Disclosure Pathways and Crisis contacts’ list for anyone in immediate need or those questioning who to seek help from in our area.
This is available here on our website under the 'Resources' tab above and at this link: Disclosure Pathways and Crisis Contacts

Bushfire At Risk Register

Our school is on the Bushfire At Risk Register (BARR).

Schools on the BARR must close on a determined Code Red day in their weather district. No staff will remain on site and all out-of-school care programs (including vacation, before and after school programs) will not operate on such days.

As a bus co-ordinating school all bus routes will be cancelled.

Click here for more information.

Click here for fire danger ratings on the CFA website.

Senior Pathways Options

VCE, VCAL, SBAT, VET

A short video on Senior Study Options.

Click here to watch

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Koorie Connections

Read about our Koorie engagement projects by clicking here.

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eSmart resources