Coronavirus may have changed the way students are learning at MacKillop Education, but it hasn’t stopped us from increasing our capacity and opening a new school!
As per Government COVID-19 restrictions, MacKillop Education moved to remote and flexible learning at the commencement of Term 2. Teaching staff are now supporting students at home with online learning through Microsoft Teams, hard copy learning packs and daily contact. On-site learning is still available for our most vulnerable students and for families who want, or need, their child to continue attending school. Students have access to 1-to-1 learning during this time, with a limit on the number of students allowed on site at any one time. Our most vulnerable students continue to receive counselling sessions with school psychologists and transport to school.
Justin Roberts, Principal at Geelong, has noticed that distance learning has led to really positive outcomes for some of their most disengaged students.
“For one student, who had previously only attended one day of school, remote learning has broken down that barrier. Her attendance has gone up and she’s completing all the work that’s been set for her. With daily contact from her teacher, we’re able to start building a strong relationship with her.”
We are also supporting parents and guardians with daily or weekly check-ins, information about how to support their children’s learning, and for those without access to devices and internet, MacKillop’s IT team have been lending a hand.
Through these changing times, the MacKillop Education team persevered with opening a new campus in Caulfield on April 14. The former St Aloysius Primary School has been revamped and will be led by Principal Angela Alibrando.
MacKillop Education Caulfield joins our other two specialist schools, in Maidstone and Geelong, to support students whose learning needs and social and/or emotional behaviours cannot be adequately supported in a mainstream setting.
With nine staff employed, MacKillop Education Caulfield will commence by enrolling students in Years 3- 6 and has received registration to facilitate students from Foundation right through to Year 10 in the future.
