Information for Parents

The information on this page is designed specifically for parents. Please ensure you also read the 'For Students' page with your child, as this will further assist you as we make this transition to flexible learning.

What you will find on this page:

A Message from the Principal
Parent partnership in flexible learning
Parent Support for Digital Learning in Secondary
Education Support
The role of teachers in flexible learning
Supervision of online learning
A brief guide to Canvas
Parent Catch-up Evenings

You will also find links to important pages below.

Frequently Asked Questions Student Wellbeing Extension & Enrichment

A Message from the Principal

I would like to express my gratitude and deep appreciation for the parents at Covenant. It is a privilege to be working in partnership with you, both when your children are learning onsite, and when they are learning at home with you.

I hope you find the resources provided here helpful. Please be assured that the school does not expect learning at home to replicate the classroom environment. However, the staff team have been working hard over the past weeks to provide well for students during this period, and will continue to do so. We are here to help our students and support our parents however we can.

You will note that while the majority of instructions will be communicated online (via Canvas), not all learning will be done on a device. This is intentional. We are as keen as you are to allow students to have a break away from screens throughout the day.

We also recognise that not all students have access to an individual device, so we will provide learning materials for both online learning and the use of more traditional methods (pen and paper, textbooks, workbooks, texts and so on).

Learning at home

For many students, remote learning is a wonderful opportunity for autonomous, self-directed learning. Many children thrive in these circumstances, enjoying the occasion to craft their own learning and work at an individual pace.

Parents also have the opportunity to engage more deeply in their child’s learning, strengthening relationships within the family unit and the ongoing partnership between home and school. There will also be opportunities for ongoing engagement with teaching staff during this time.

I would encourage our students to show dedication to their work and faithfulness in their study efforts. I would also point you to the many school and other services available to support you while you learn in this season.

Mrs Melissa Brown
Principal

Parent partnership in flexible learning

As we work together in flexible learning, we would ask you to be mindful of the following as we work together to meet the learning needs of our students:

Be aware of the expectations the teachers have of your children. These will be different depending upon their stage in the school.
As far as possible, provide the appropriate resources to enable your children to be able to work and complete learning tasks.
Observe the communication patterns/routines established by the teachers.
Be flexible with your expectations of the time that it takes for your children to get through the work. Class lessons involve significant amounts of discussion and concept development that may not be replicated in your home environment.
Provide children with expectations about their day to day timetable.
Be aware of the school’s ICT policy and seek to support this in your home. Students are expected to operate within the Student Code of Conduct when they are learning at home. This includes that students should be kind and respectful when commenting or communicating online, and they should not attempt to access websites or content which is harmful, hurtful, profane, or otherwise inappropriate.

Please let the school know if you have any concerns about your child’s learning, and for students who are able, encourage your child to seek assistance when needed via Canvas.

Parent Support for Digital Learning in Secondary

Parents always play a critical role in the development, welfare and education of their children, and they do so especially during this period of flexible learning.

Our school works in partnership with parents to assist them to raise their children for God’s glory. As part of this we want to support our parents to oversee the video conferencing and online aspects of our flexible learning program.

We realise that supervision of learning, and supervision of use of screens, can both be challenging for parents. We have developed the following guideline to assist and promote productive and safe learning at home, especially where this is by video conference.

Readiness for safe and effective video conferences

We would like parents to be aware of our expectations of our students, particularly for video conferencing;

Students should be up and dressed in their sports uniform ready for learning before online home class starts at 8.45am. They should blur their background and have their camera on.
Students must not video conference from a bedroom.
Video conferences are recorded.
The Student Code of Conduct applies whenever a student engages in school tasks and activities, including online.
If a student is improperly dressed or poorly behaved, they will be excluded from the conference.
Teachers are providing feedback to parents using the usual channels, and we welcome contact from parents about their child’s learning or any other aspect of our partnership.

How you can support your child’s video conferencing?

Engaging in a video conference invites the classroom into your home. To respect, and to make things work well, we want to suggest the following:

An ideal space for online learning is in a family area of your home, and also where it might be fairly uninterrupted (if possible).
Parents should ensure that all members of the household who may be visible are dressed appropriately (students are encouraged to let you know when a conference is happening).
Parents are encouraged to be nearby during a video conference, but they should not engage in the lesson unless invited to do so. Arrangements to speak with the teacher at another time should be made.
Parents are very welcome to communicate any concerns to the teacher via email.

Communication and dealing with concerns

While students are learning at home, our communication channels with parents are in many ways similar to our usual practice. However, in this very unusual situation, we see great importance in regular contact between teachers and parents.

Teachers will continue to place positive and negative comments on the Edumate Parent Portal.
Home Class teachers will also provide feedback in this way.
Students will receive feedback on their work, and encouragement regarding their behaviour and participation while in a video conference (in addition to the usual feedback mechanisms such as via Canvas).

An important aspect of partnership is working together when students need additional help, or where there are other concerns. We welcome feedback from parents about their child, and about any other aspect of school, and will be in touch with you if we have any concerns.

Teachers will email you if there are concerns about your child’s online attendance, engagement, completion of work, progress or behaviour.
Poor behaviour during a video conference will result in the student being excluded from the conference and appropriate disciplinary action. Parents will be contacted as part of our partnership in supporting student behaviour and character.
If you are concerned about your child’s learning, please email the subject teacher, or the Director of Teaching and Learning (Sam Glassock).
If you are concerned about your child’s behaviour or welfare, please contact their Year Advisor (see list on the Student Wellbeing page).
You are always welcome to contact the Principal, Melissa Brown.

Our Expectations of Students

For your awareness, this is what the school is asking of students:

Students are to wear Sport Uniform.
Workstations, or musical instruments for music tuition, must be in a family area of the house (not a bedroom).
Students should identify a comfortable, quiet space where they can work effectively and efficiently.
If possible, a parent or other member of the family should be nearby but they are asked not to become involved in the class.
Students are asked to let their family know when they will be participating in a video conference, so their family members are aware.
As digital learning is still a classroom environment, students are expected to follow the instruction of the teacher.
All school behaviour expectations apply to video conferencing. Students should listen carefully to the teacher and follow all instructions.
Students should contact their teacher through Canvas if they require extra assistance with work.
Students should keep their device where it can be supervised during the lesson.
Students must wait in the waiting room and the teacher must end the call for all participants at the end of the class.
Students should ensure their device is fully charged or plugged in prior to class.
Students should gather books, equipment and printed work (if applicable) prior to the lesson so they are ready at the beginning of the session.
Students should keep their device muted until instructions are given by the teacher.
Students should be patient in waiting for feedback from teachers. It should be delivered in a reasonable/appropriate time frame.

Education Support

Individual assistance will be provided to students with special needs. If you have any concerns, or would like further information, please contact the relevant staff member via the Office:

Sally Rofe or Tim Hewitt (Secondary School)
Lynne Butler or Wayne Morton (Junior School)

The role of teachers in flexible learning

Covenant teaching staff are always committed to delivering a high quality and engaging Christian curriculum. When this curriculum is delivered to students at home, this will continue, with the following day-to-day support from teachers.

Teachers will:

Set work for students. For most students this will be via Canvas, but in younger years (K-2) parents will be given guidance directly by teachers.
Communicate with students regarding any questions which might arise.
Respond to learning tasks which are set, in a timely manner. Sometimes, this will be acknowledgement, sometime feedback (perhaps in the form of annotation or comment), and sometimes formal marking.
Communicate with parents and students as needed, between 8.45am and 4.30pm.
Encourage the students to be motivated to learn and communicate with the teacher.
Our staff understand and are committed to all the school’s usual policies, procedures and codes of conduct, including how they apply at this time.

Supervision of flexible learning

We are very grateful for the privilege of online technology and communications. These are a wonderful additional blessing to us at this time. However, in a fallen world we recognise that this blessing can come with some disadvantages and dangers.

Support and advice for parents to guide them in protecting their children online is available on the school’s website.

A brief guide to Canvas

In the video below, our former Director of ICT, gives a brief overview of Canvas, including dashboard navigation, announcements, submitting assignments and where to find help.

This Canvas TechServe page will be updated with additional resources for parents as we continue Flexible Delivery.

Parent Catch-up Evenings

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