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Dear Parents and Care-givers,
At Dianella Secondary College we want your child to do their very best. To get the best education they need to attend school every day. The teenage years are a time for young people to develop independence and find their place in the world, including how they take part in school life. We do know that some students may need that additional encouragement to attend school regularly. By working together, our school community can address some of the reasons why teenagers may not want to attend. Some common problems you may have getting your child to school:
You may also be worried that your teenager:
What can you do to help?
Do you need to let the school know if your teenager will be away from school?
What will staff at Dianella Secondary College do to help?
Why is going to school so important for my child?
Remember everyday matters and every moment counts. Please call the school for any support you may require. Yours sincerely, Wayne Austin Principal
The survey has returned a 4.3 average score for the 20 questions being asked, no question received less than a 4 rating which is a pleasing result for our school. However, this is not to say we won’t keep finding ways to improve to ensure we keep moving forward in a positive direction.
This year we offered our parents and care-givers the opportunity to win a $100 uniform shop voucher for simply completing the survey. I am pleased to announce Sangay Tenzin as our official winner. Sangay, pictured with myself, was overjoyed with his prize. Can I say thank you to all of our parents and care-givers who took the time in answering the survey, it is very much appreciated. Wayne Austin Principal The State Government recently announced that our school will take part in the DETECT research project to determine the incidence and impact of COVID-19 in WA schools. The study, which involves approximately 80 public schools, education support settings and residential colleges, is being undertaken by the Departments of Health and Education in partnership with Telethon Kids Institute.
Our school has been invited to take part in the online survey component of this study that will build a greater understanding of how students, parents and staff are coping in this challenging time, and what can be done to support our community. The research team have developed survey questions that are suitable for different age groups and to help understand some of the experience for children, families and teachers during the COVID-19 restrictions. You will be asked to read and consider the information carefully before you decide whether you or your child are willing to participate. The research team and our school’s principal will be available to answer your questions. By participating in this research, our school community will help the Government understand what measures are needed to support our community. If you would like to know more about DETECT, click here.  Today marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, which runs 27 May to 3 June each year.
These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the Reconciliation journey - the 1967 Referendum, and the High Court decision in Mabo. Reconciliation Week is a time for us to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to reconciliation in our workplaces, schools and communities. Significantly, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Bridge Walk for Reconciliation, when people came together to walk across the nation to show support for a more reconciled Australia. This year’s theme, In This Together, is now resonating in ways which could not have been foreseen when it was announced last year. It reminds us whether we are in crisis or in reconciliation, we are all in this together. Identified as a priority is our commitment to develop and use knowledge of Aboriginal histories and experiences, cultures and languages, and family relationships to positively impact student wellbeing and achievement; and to develop respect for and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their histories, cultures and languages. Critical to this is increasing the capacity of our schools to work with Aboriginal families and communities that reflect a genuine partnership and appreciation of the strengths of Aboriginal students and communities. It is important that the educational opportunities we provide match the aspirations of families and communities. The recent video release, Building on Strength in Uncertain Times, models the importance of relationships and connection, especially at this time, and highlights the resiliency of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the oldest continuous cultures in human history. On this journey, we are all in this together and every one of us has a role to play when it comes to reconciliation. In playing our part, we can collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures. Dianella Secondary College Our journey towards reconciliation is long and must be grounded in truth. Therefore, today at Dianella Secondary College we acknowledge National Sorry Day.
National Sorry Day 26th May, is an important historical event, where we remember the past policies of forced child removal. Here, we remember and reflect on the sad and painful history of the Stolen Generations, whilst recognising moments of resilience, healing and the power of saying Sorry. As Evelyn Scott, Chairperson of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation said on the 27th May, 2000, “In true reconciliation, through the remembering, the grieving and the healing we can come to terms with our conscience and become as one in the dreaming of this land.” Sorry Day is held on the 26 May, since 1998, The first National Sorry Day took place a year after the tabling of "The Bringing Them Home Report" in Parliament. Having a day of commemoration was one of the recommendations within the report. It is particularly significant for those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families, communities and cultural identity to assimilate. These past government policies of forced removal remained in place until the early 1970s. The children, who were taken from their families, are known as the Stolen Generation. Sorry Day provides the opportunity for our students to make connections between their classroom learning about the histories, knowledge and experiences of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the commemorations they will see in their communities. Dianella Secondary College Dear parents/carers,
I want to thank you all for your support in what was one of the most unusual starts to a school term we have ever seen. Together, we have been able to make the best of this situation and ensure your child’s safety and continuity of learning. Today, the State Government announced changes to education based on a review of current arrangements and updated health advice. As of Monday, 18 May 2020 all students are expected to attend school, except for those students medically referred to learn from home. This means students are either:
Over the last three weeks we have seen 84% of our students return to school, which has been fantastic. Current health advice states that schools remain safe for staff and students and should remain open. We want to make sure all children get the best education possible, which is why attending school is so important. We are here to make sure all children are learning and there’s no doubt, schools are the best place for them to learn. For parents with medical advice that their child should not attend school, we will work with you in partnership with the School of Special Educational Needs: Medical and Mental Health to support your child’s learning from home. If you feel your child is in this category, please do not hesitate to contact me and we will work together on next steps. If your child does not attend school without a medical reason, they will be marked as absent and will not be provided a learning program. The extra cleaning and hygiene practices implemented at the start of Term 2 will continue and as part of the social distancing measures, we continue to ask parents/carers to drop children at the school gate and not enter the school grounds. The State Government will continue to make decisions based on the best health advice. Thank you for your continued support as we move forward. If you have any questions, please contact us on 9345 9200. Kind regards, Wayne Austin Principal Dianella Secondary College Dear Parents and caregivers,
I am writing to advise that our school has been invited to participate in research the WA Government is undertaking in partnership with Telethon Kids Institute. The research is part of DETECT: a larger study of particular groups in our community to determine the prevalence of COVID–19 in Western Australia. Education has been prioritised for inclusion. Approximately 80 public schools across Western Australia will participate in the research. They represent a cross section of the community and include primary, secondary, education support, metropolitan and regional schools, and residential colleges. The study will be rolled out across schools over the next few weeks. Participation is voluntary and consent will be sought from staff and parents, as well as students for the psychosocial survey component. As part of the research, staff and students from 40 schools will be tested for COVID-19 at monthly intervals over a period of at least three months. These schools will be randomly selected by the researchers. All 80 schools will participate in the online survey component, providing information on how COVID-19 is impacting their physical, social and emotional wellbeing. All students, staff and parents would be encouraged to participate and TKI will work directly with schools. I will provide further information, including a fact sheet from TKI, and consent forms in the coming days. Our school’s involvement in this research will make a valuable contribution to better understanding the extent of COVID-19 in Western Australia and what measures are required to keep our communities safe during the pandemic. Kind Regards, Wayne Austin Principal Dear Parents and caregivers,
Term 2 has started on a positive note with a large number of students coming back to school for face to face learning. Our students seemed incredibly happy to be back and clearly appreciated returning to some normality. I am sure getting to see their friends again has also helped. The staff at Dianella Secondary College are also pleased to be back, doing what they do best which of course is teaching your children. The decision to have your children returning to school has posed a dilemma for many parents. I am consistently asked, “What do I think?” by parents, friends and family. My response has been consistent from the beginning. I have been, and will continue to be guided by the recommendations of the Department of Education, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and the Chief Health Officer of WA. They have determined that schools should remain open and that it is safe to send your children to school. They have also determined that staff and children are not at increased risk of COVID-19 by physically attending school; and that there have been no cases of student-to-student transmission in Western Australia and no cases of student to teacher transmission. I am strongly advising that all year 11 and 12 students re-commence face to face learning as soon as possible, however our school is open for all students. With that said, we are still exercising precautions to ensure the ongoing safety of our staff and students which includes:
I look forward to a positive term and returning to some normality. Again I would like to thank you all for your on-going support throughout this challenging period. I will continue to provide updates as new information comes to hand. Kind Regards, Wayne Austin Principal Dear Parents and caregivers,
I am writing to you during the school holidays to let you know about the arrangements for our school for Term 2 and what it will mean for you and your children. These are unprecedented times and therefore, we will need to do some things differently in schools over the coming weeks, to maintain learning and to keep your children and our staff safe. I understand this may be an uncertain and difficult period for you and your family. That is why the State Government has given parents a choice about whether their children return to school for face-to-face teaching or learn from home. It is a personal decision influenced by each family’s circumstances. To assist with your decision making, please note the following:
The State Government is providing $43 million in additional funding to expand school cleaning, in line with the health advice. Cleaners will work throughout the day to ensure all high-use areas, such as benchtops, desks, doorknobs, taps and hand rails, are regularly cleaned and surfaces disinfected. Our playgrounds will be open and play equipment will be cleaned before school and after each break. We will provide further information on how our school will manage this situation, ahead of school beginning on Wednesday 29 April. These arrangements will be in place and reviewed ahead of Week 4 commencing 18 May. As always, State Government decisions will be based on the best health advice. We want all families and children to feel supported and informed during this time. I thank you for your partnership as we navigate this together. Kind regards, Wayne Austin Principal Dear Parents and caregivers
Firstly, can I thank you all for your support during this incredibly challenging period. The Coronavirus pandemic has challenged us all in ways we couldn’t have imagined. We have all had to make a range of decisions that has impacted the way we live regarding work and home. The following information is a guide to how Dianella Secondary College will operate during term 2 until further notice. On-line Learning Over the past 2 weeks we have been busy contacting all families seeking information surrounding their ability to have students study on-line. Teachers have been busy uploading work packages and associated resources to connect. If there are changes to your on-line availability, please let the school know and a hard copy of work can be posted. Alternatively, if you no longer require hard copies, please let us know. Hard Copy Work packages Receiving Hard copy work packages will be sent out via mail to minimize face to face contact. A list of students who require these work packages has been compiled and will be mailed to you. Each work package will have a combination of assignments and assessments with expected return dates included. Returning completed work All completed work can be dropped off at Administration between 8.30am and 3.15pm. Large tubs for individual year groups will be sitting in the foyer, you simply need to place the work in the appropriate year level container. Please ensure that all completed work is clearly labeled with the name of the student, their class and year group. There is no need to hand the work to a teacher, all work will be passed to them. What does term 2 look like? Term 2 will be the same as the final week of term 1. As a school we recognize that there may be some students who have parents who are essential workers who need to send their child to school. This also applies to children who are considered vulnerable. It is important that students access the remote learning program where possible in order to minimize direct contact with other students and staff. As a community we need to remain vigilant and committed in reducing the spread of Covid-19. Sending students to school because they want to be with their friends is not acceptable. Students who do attend school will be supervised only and will access their work on-line. I would like to send you all my well wishes and positive thoughts as we enter term 2. I will continue to update you all as new information arises. If you do have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email the school. If you require technical support, Ryan Demarteau, our IT Technician is available to lend a hand. Yours sincerely, Wayne Austin Principal |
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