LFH update and more tips and support for parents                  2 September 

With another week almost over, thank you for all the support you are offering your children and our teachers. We are seeing high attendance levels at our many Webex sessions, as well as enjoying photos and videos of our students, sent by parents. We also heard at Parents Group last night that some parents are learning a lot about Erosion with their children!

Thanks to another parent, L, who has recommended the free Webex Story time sessions for children, available through the City of Boroondara Library Service. Parents can book here through the library website.  

Victorian High-Ability Program

In the next few days, parents of some students in Years 5 and 6 will receive information about an opportunity for their children.

The new Victorian High-Ability Program will offer high-ability Years 5 - 8 students across Victorian government schools a 10-week virtual enrichment program. Our students will be offered Primary English or Mathematics options. Only students who have been selected by the Department of Education and Training, through their analysis of student achievement data, are able to participate in the program.

Thanks to Jacqui Purcell for coordinating this - more information soon in LPS eNews.

Professional Practice Days

Over the next two weeks, teachers will be taking their Term 3 Professional Practice Days, to work with their teams on areas that  impact student learning. On these days, team Webex sessions are cancelled. Could parents please note these dates:

Raising Learners podcast series

The Department of Education and Training has funded a 10-episode podcast series through the Raising Children Network called ‘Raising Learners’. It features parenting experts from organisations including the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Career Education Association Victoria, as well as the Australian eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant.

Raising Learners provides parents with practical advice, tips and ideas for supporting children’s health, wellbeing and engagement at school and at home. Topics include how to connect with your child’s school and community, how to best support your child’s learning, what to expect for VCE and VCAL students and how to keep your child safe online.

These topics were drawn from common questions that parents raised with the Department’s coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline and Parentline.

The first three episodes will be available on 1 September, and the rest throughout terms 3 and 4. Raising Learners can be accessed via podcast apps and Raising Children Network website. 

Managing the Coronacoaster webinar - again!

We have had enquiries from parents about the recent DET webinar conducted by Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, which attracted 12,000 registrations in three days.
                                                    

By popular demand and for those who were unable to attend, a repeat of this webinar with Dr Carr-Gregg will be held on Tuesday 15 September at 7.30 pm.  

We recommend parents take this great opportunity to hear some practical skills, knowledge and strategies for managing the lockdown period and remote learning. Topics include:

• your supportive role
• setting the emotional tone
• focusing on what you can control
• how to deal with disappointment
• more resources and where to get help.

Click here to register.

The following list of DET parent resources mentioned at the webinar has also been made available in this handy summary below:

Resources to support parents and carers

The Department of Education and Training has a number of resources to support parents and carers with a range of issues from mental health and wellbeing, to bullying and looking after yourself.