Dean of Studies | Mr Mason Hellyer

It has been an extraordinary seven days as we all come to terms with the rapidly evolving nature of the Coronavirus pandemic. Every institution has been challenged with the best way to respond. Each family has been challenged with the best way to respond. From a teaching and learning perspective, we have been challenged to maintain routine and normality as best we can. We see this as important from not only an academic viewpoint but also from a student wellbeing consideration.

Consequently, our academic continuity plan is based on the premise that in the event of school closure, students and teachers will operate using the current timetable (long bells).  A designated landing page will be provided through Moodle for students/parents to access general, subject and class information and learning tasks. This page acts as the central source of information regarding learning from home. Parents should ask their son to log in to Moodle and show them this page.

From Moodle, subjects will direct students to the relevant electronic platform - subject Moodle page/teams site/ OneNote/google classroom.

The at home learning model

  • Students and staff will operate using the College timetable. That is, students will access their online learning platform during the ‘normal’ timetabled time for that day. We will operate using long bells (except Wednesday).
  • Staff will provide a ‘lesson’s’ worth of learning – reading, quizzes, tasks, questions, videos, PowerPoints, practice exams, revision.
  • Staff and students will be able to interact via text-based platforms, e.g. forums, chatrooms, posts, during the lesson. This will allow students to ask questions of their teacher and peers.
  • Staff may provide homework. 

There will be an opportunity for teacher feedback on key practice exams, tasks or quizzes.

The timing of any closure will have subsequent impacts on assessment and reporting. These impacts and responses will be actioned within the context of the closure and communicated to students and parents in a timely manner.

On Tuesday, all students were taken through the learning at home procedure in year group assemblies. This presentation can be found on the Learning at Home Moodle page and on both Parent Lounge and Student Cafe. On Wednesday period 1, all classes ran through an online lesson test, where elements of the at home learning model were tested and students became more conversant with the interactive elements of each platform. Students were also taught appropriate ‘netiquette’ for use in online chatrooms and forums for educative purposes.

College teaching staff have also had a number of Professional Development sessions to further up-skill their knowledge of online learning platforms, especially regarding the interactive elements such as chatrooms, forums and posts.

The College is as ready as we can be to respond to a closure. Students and staff have rehearsed an at home learning plan to instigate when required. Of course, it will not be perfect, and students and staff will have issues with this model of learning, especially as they adapt to the change. Further information and tips regarding learning home can be found on the Learning at Home Moodle page and on Parent Lounge.


Can you help?

Are you an employer in a trade- based industry looking for an apprentice who embodies all the wonderful attributes of a Terrace Gentleman? Would you like to have an extra set of hands to help you in your workplace, during the school holidays?

We have some fantastic young men at the College who are heading in the direction of trade-based vocations.  Many of them are studying Construction and are already competent in the use of power tools, industry processes and Workplace Health and Safety.  

In our Year 12 cohort, we have a small and driven group of students looking to transition into trade apprenticeships for 2021. Some of them will have prevocational TAFE qualifications by the end of this year. These students would love the opportunity to undertake trade-based work experience in the school holiday breaks.

If you feel you can provide these opportunities then please email our Construction teacher Mr Glenn Cameron via GlennCameron@Terrace.qld.edu.au, and/or the Terrace Careers Counsellor Ms Natalie Twine via NatalieTwine@Terrace.qld.edu.au