COVID-19 – 28 May 2021 UPDATE 1

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Today the MacKillop College teachers were to participate in a Professional Development day designed to enhance the educational experiences of each student at the College. Unfortunately, this day had to be cancelled to allow all staff the time and opportunity to prepare for delivering remote and online learning beginning Monday 31 May. We once again congratulate our staff on their adaptability and ingenuity in finding ways to engage our students in a remote capacity.

To fully understand how remote and online learning will occur at the College, please refer to the documents provided via SEQTA Engage.

As in previous lockdowns, students considered vulnerable may come to the College where they will be supervised to complete their remote and online learning. Parents/guardians of students who wish to access this service must email principal@mackillop.vic.edu.au.

During remote and online learning, our teachers receive many emails from students and parents/guardians at all times of the day and night. It is not reasonable to expect teachers to respond immediately to this correspondence. As a way of protecting staff and being supportive of their mental health, the College Leadership Team has put in place an 8:30am to 3:30pm hours of work arrangement specifically around emails and phone calls. Emails received by teachers between the hours of 8:30am to 3:30pm can reasonably expect a response from the teacher, however, communication received outside these hours will be responded to the next working day. Please be aware that some part-time staff may not be in a position to respond until their next working day.

We hope that all those in our community have a restful weekend, knowing that remote and online learning brings with it a unique set of complications and stresses.

We pray for the safety and wellbeing of all members of our MacKillop Community and wish you well for the coming week.

God bless.

Kind regards,
Rory Kennedy
Principal