We were all hoping it wasn't going to happen, but Victorian parents are right back in the thick of lockdown and learning from home. Parents elsewhere in Australia, especially in NSW are nervously hoping they can avoid the need for the same restrictions.

To everyone in lockdown we send you our best wishes. (We have also included links to some home learning resources in this newsletter as a more practical help.)

We are better prepared this time around. The many tales of parents making the most of having more time at home show that there are upsides to lockdown.

And the ‘unprecedented’ collaboration between schools and parents during the pandemic may be a catalyst for future change. The COVID-19 crisis has provided independent schools with the perfect opportunity to “customise” education to better meet the evolving needs of their families and communities, according to a new report commissioned by Independent Schools Queensland.

But for families in the thick of it there's a lot to deal with right now. An article in The Age this week, which detailed the reactions of Victorian children to the lockdown 2.0, highlighted the spirit of kids and families and pulled at the heart strings. 

'I feel a bit sad that I can't see my friends and I really miss the monkey bars. But I feel happy that I can read lots of books - I've even read a 12 chapter book in a day. I have been happy though, because I have a tree-house to read in and my cat is 'at school'. I'm a bit tired of home learning because I've done it for more than 10 weeks. For a survival tip, if you feel a bit sad, talk to someone, call a friend or ask your teacher a question,' wrote Bilijana Davis Greig, of Caulfield North. Wise words coming from a 6-year-old. 

If you're struggling to discuss what's happening with your child, Let’s talk to kids about the second COVID-19 wave and new restrictions has some useful tips.

We are learning more and more about the stress and anxiety COVID restrictions cause. Studies about the added strain on students, teachers and parents ring true.

New research by the University of Melbourne found those reporting high levels of mental distress across the general population have doubled since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. But for the sub group of parents with primary school-aged kids, it’s particularly bad, especially working parents.

Extra mental health support being put in place by state and federal governments is welcome.

But we also need to do a lot more to address equity issues. We know that it is the most vulnerable students and families that suffered most in the first lockdown and we need to stop this happening again in the current or, dare we say it, any future lockdowns.

A recent Grattan Institute survey of 5000 NSW teachers reported just 35 per cent were confident their students were learning well remotely. In disadvantaged schools, only 15 per cent felt assured of student progress. Teachers estimate that students are learning at 50 to 75 per cent of their usual pace, saying 70 per cent of students are not ready to learn online.

A report by the Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) concluded that the experience of students with a disability in lockdown was 'not even remotely fair'.

The Australian Coalition for Inclusive Education (ACIE) has now developed ‘Providing inclusive education a time of crisis: Principles and Recommendations‘ to ensure inclusive education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

APC would like to see all students and families supported through COVID. No child should be left behind. Some will need more help than others and extra support should be targetted.

We are facing a lot of challenges, but there really is no reason for not throwing everything we have at this situation. Afterall the support we give kids, famiies and educators now will have a positive impact far beyond the immediate crisis.

Jenni Rickard, APC President

Are you talking to your teen about study or career options? Do you know much about work-related education and skills training (aka Vocational Education and Training or VET)? Any idea what's available for your child at school or beyond? Wondering what is going to work best for your child in a challenging and unpredictable future?

Need help? Then sign up for our free parent webinar - VET Myth Busters - 7.30 - 9.30 pm AEST 27 August. It'll also be available via our facebook page if you can't join us on the night.

Our panel includes:

• Karyn Hunter- Account Manager Australian Training Company
• Dianne Dayhew - National Apprentice Network
• Sinead McKenna of PwC, a VET for School Students specialist and former industry manager within PwC's Skills for Australia, who led the review of the Foundation Skills (FSK) training package that concluded in 2019.
• Robert Munday, a higher apprentice with PwC undertaking a Diploma in Business

There's a huge range of courses available out there, some of which kids can do at school - not just apprenticeships. Kids can leave with work related qualifications in a wide range of industries and professions that they can use to get a job or go on to further study, including university in many cases. They can try something they think they might be interested in, build their own flexible career at their own pace, and work out what they want to do as they go along with vocational education and training. It can also be a lot more flexible and less expensive than university.

There's also more support out there for VET students than you realise.

If you specific questions you'd like to submit in advance - and you can ask anything and everything about VET - please email them to media@austparents.edu.au.

The Federal Government is calling for public submissions into a review of the Disability Standards for Education 2005, which play a key role in ensuring students with disability can access and participate in education without any barriers.

“The standards help students with disability and their families know their rights and make clear the obligations of all education providers – from preschool and kindergarten through to vocational education providers and universities” Federal Minister for Education, Dan Tehan said.

“It’s incredibly important we review these standards regularly to make sure they are doing their job to give equal access and opportunity for students with disability,” Mr Tehan said, outlining the need for many voices from a variety of perspectives to contribute to the consultation process.

Community consultation is now taking place process (ending 25 September) for the public to share experiences and ideas.

“I strongly encourage current, former and prospective students with disability, their families and carers, educators, and other members of the public to share their thoughts on the standards and their implementation” Mr Tehan said. 

Feedback can be provided via:

• an online questionnaire
• making a submission
• participating in a webinar
• expressing interest in a focus group, one-on-one interview, or an online discussion. 

For more information, visit the Consultation Hub.

Parents, carers and grandparents of children aged 5-17 are invited to share their experiences of children growing up in digital Australia in a survey being conducted by researchers at the Gonski Institute of Education at the University of NSW. 

This is phase 2 of the study into the implications of digital media and technologies on young people’s health, wellbeing and learning. This research is being conducted in collaboration with Harvard University’s Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital and is undertaken in Canada by the Alberta Teachers’ Association. The survey closes 11 October.

If you are looking for information, guidance and inspiration on home schooling and educational activities you can do with children during the COVID-19 lockdown and beyond, check out our website.

We have put together lots of useful and unusual resources, sources of sound advice and links to official state, territory and federal government information to try and make things a little easier and perhaps even fun for parents and kids.

Parents, home schoolers, pre-schools and schools can access Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Resource Box including ‘Amazing Australia’, ‘Incredible earth’, ‘Local safari’, and ‘What on Earth?’ books for free.

This new initiative of the Jane Goodall Institute of Australia (JGIA) is a curriculum-linked, action-based nature education program is designed to engage students, their families, and the community to learn about our wildlife plus the natural environment. It aims to promote optimism for our future by encouraging young people to become environmental champions!

APC's new Parent hacks for successful learning videos are jam packed with practical tips on what parents can do to support children, and encourage them to learn and develop into independent learners.

Here's a taster of the series - part 5 explains the difference between praise and encouragement and why one is better than the other in helping kids learn.

The videos are based on our Successful Learning workshops, which were created by education experts and are usually delivered as face to face group sessions to parents of children transitioning into or in the early years of school.

We have expanded the video series to include advice for parents with older children, and tips for managing home learning. A sign of the times.

There are nine videos in the series now available. Please share them with your networks.

You can find out more about our programs via our Successful Learning webpage or get regular updates by following our Successful Learning facebook page.