By Mitchell Clarke
Chairo Christian School’s Pakenham campus will close campuses and move online in response to the continuing spread of Covid-19 in the community.
Despite the school currently having no confirmed cases of coronavirus, executive principal Simon Matthews announced all campuses will transition to online learning from Monday 23 March.
The Gazette has been told the delivery of online and remote learning will be provided by the school and completed under the supervision of families at home.
“While the school recognises that this decision will be inconvenient for many families, our overriding commitment is to prioritise the health and safety of each member of the school community, and to hopefully assist in slowing the rate of infection in the wider community,” Mr Matthews said.
The advice from Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy is for schools to remain open.
“We respect their leadership at this difficult time however, we believe that we are well-equipped at Chairo to temporarily close our physical doors but continue to be ‘open’ via the delivery of online and remote learning for students,” he added.
The Victorian Health and Education departments have also been informed of the closure.
All staff members and Chairo families have been informed of the closure and have told that under no circumstances will students be allowed onsite during the closure.
It’s understood staff members have openly spoken with students about the possibility over recent days to prepare online learning tasks and opportunities.
“Regular communication between students and staff members is a priority and will be undertaken via technology provided through the school. Regular communication between staff members and each family is also a priority throughout the period of closure,” Mr Matthews said.
“We are confident that real and rich learning opportunities will continue for every student, despite this being the first time that all students have had to rely on online and remote learning.”
The announcement comes as the State Government launches a new website to help teachers keep students learning in the event of school closures.
Launched Wednesday 18 March, the new ‘Learning From Home’ site provides age-appropriate, curriculum-based learning resources for early childhood services and primary and secondary school students.
“Many schools already have a range of tools available to help them teach remotely, and many schools are experienced in supporting student learning online,” Education Minister James Merlino said.
““We are preparing for every possible scenario during this outbreak to ensure Victorian students in government, independent and Catholic schools continue to learn.”
Chairo has campuses at Pakenham, Drouin, Drouin East, Leongatha and Traralgon and each will remain contactable by telephone or email.
