Schools across Brimbank are doing all they can to brighten the day as students once again find themselves learning from home, writes Tara Murray.
Each week during lockdown, a group of teachers from Resurrection Catholic Primary School hit the road.
On Thursdays and Fridays, they visit all 495 pupils of the Kings Park school, delivering learning packs for that week.
The packs include readers and activities and sometimes special gifts for the children and their parents.
Principal Des Noack said while it was a lot of work for the staff, they were proud of what they had been able to achieve for the students throughout the six lockdowns.
He said the experience had given the teachers a better understanding of how long it takes to get to and from school each day.
“I’ve been a very good Uber driver,” he joked.
“Every Thursday and Friday we drive to all the houses, many that are beyond Kings Park.
“We give them materials and readers for the week, and we pick up the readers from the previous week.
“They’re getting hands on actual materials and it’s not just online. The weekly learning packs are a tangible connection between home and school with students often waiting at the window to wave and thank the teachers who are delivering them.
“It’s like Christmas each week.”
Mr Noack said the school was trying to ensure no pupil fell behind, with more than 250 pupils receiving additional support.
The school’s translators are also helping parents.
“Brimbank has the highest number of refugees and English is the second language for many of them,” he said.
“Some don’t speak much English at all.
“For our Burmese families we were able to set up a screen with face-to-face contact to support them and what they needed with organising work permits.
“Our translators speak with them and provide help. They’ve almost become leaders in their own communities.”
