coronavirus information for families

We are very aware COVID-19 means uncertain and challenging times for those in The Smith Family community. Like all Australians, we are adapting daily to the information we have before us and making decisions as best we can.

We are currently following the advice of the Australian Government, the Chief Medical Officer and the World Health Organisation.

The children and families we support remain at the heart of everything we do.

We want to assure our Learning for Life families that we are committed to providing you with ongoing educational support through our Learning for Life program.

However, because of changes in the way schools are working, and to ensure the safety of our team members, families, volunteers and communities, we will need to make some changes to the way we work. When we do, we will let you know what these are.

Please note, any changes we make will not impact your Learning for Life Scholarship payment/s.

We encourage you to follow the advice of your State or Territory's Education Department regarding schools, your child’s attendance and continuity of learning.

We know that you will have many questions and we have done our best to answer them here. We also encourage you to visit this page regularly to keep up to date with how we are responding to this rapidly-changing situation.

UPDATES

Important information from the Safety Commissioner – Monday 6th April 2020

COVID-19 ESAFETY RESOURCES

Below is some advice and resources eSafety has produced in light of the current COVID-19 situation we all find ourselves in:

· Open letter to Australia's school principals and teachers
· Open letter to Australia's parents and carers
· Online safety kit for parents and carers

BLOGS:

COVID-19: Protecting children from online abuse
COVID-19: K eeping schools and learning safe online
COVID-19: Online safety tips to help older Australians with social distancing
COVID-19: Online safety help for domestic and family violence workers
COVID-19: Advice for women experiencing domestic violence

· Australian Edition COVID-19 Global ONLINE SAFETY ADVICE for parents and carers
· The eSafety guide has new information on Zoom and the app Houseparty.
· In April and May we will be running live parent webinars
· eSafety’s professional learning program for teachers starts 8 April 2020

NEW WEBINARS

In addition to this, eSafety is developing four new 30 minute webinars to start mid-April:

• Keeping safe and healthy online – for ages 7-12 years
• Keeping your sanity and supporting your kids online – for parents and carers
• My House, My Rules - for parents/carers and children to participate together
• Child Protection and Online Learning – for educators and organisations

Important information from Centrelink - Monday 23rd March 2020.

If you already receive Newstart or another payment, you do not need to contact Centrelink to get the extra support announced by the Federal Government.

The extra payments will come through automatically.

If you are still getting paid or don’t need payments urgently, please wait a few days.

For people who have lost their jobs and need to apply for a payment urgently:

· Online: You can apply through MyGov.

- The government has enacted Intent to Claim processes so people don't have to lodge a full claim immediately, and they will be backpaid to the day they lodged their intent to claim. In other words, people won't miss out on income support because of delays to lodge a completed claim.

· Phone: The phone number for Jobseeker Payment is 132 850.

· In person: If you do decide to line up, please practice social distancing.

We are also monitoring advice from Centrelink.

For those who can access Centrelink via online or phone, please don’t give up - try again later.

LEARNING AT HOME

What to do

If your school has closed, moved to a remote learning model or you are keeping your child/children at home, please follow the instructions provided by your school.

You can also access lots of great resources and the latest information from your Department of Education website.

ACT- https://www.education.act.gov.au/
NSW- https://education.nsw.gov.au/
NT- https://education.nt.gov.au/
QLD- https://education.qld.gov.au/
SA- https://www.education.sa.gov.au/
TAS- https://www.education.tas.gov.au/
VIC- https://education.vic.gov.au/
WA- https://www.education.wa.edu.au/

Looking for practical tips to help you support your child's literacy and numeracy skills?
Check out the Parent Resources at Learning Potential. Simple ideas designed to be part of everyday life with your child......whether you’re reading, playing, shopping, chatting, gardening, cooking, or just hanging out together.

Did you know, ABC TV Education is launching an expanded schedule of education content to support students, teachers and parents with home based learning? Find out more here.

If you are looking for additional ideas or resources to support learning at home, please contact your Family Partnership Coordinator.

Digital Access

Did you know, the NBN Co is working with internet providers to support low-income family households get connected to the NBN?

This offer is for families who have school-aged children and don’t currently have the NBN at home.

If you are interested in understanding more about this offer please click on the link below or call one of the following internet providers listed.

https://www2.nbnco.com.au/campaigns/covid-19/education-assistance-package

Participating Internet Providers:

· Activ8me

· Aussie Broadband

· Buroserv

· Dodo

· Flip Connect

· FUZENET

· GenNext

· IPSTAR Broadband

· SkyMesh

· Southern Phone

· start BROADBAND

· Superloop

· Telstra

· UNITI

· Vodafone

FAQs

I’m worried about COVID-19, should I be sending my child to school?

Once school returns to face to face learning, it’s important to follow the advice of your school.

Schools will be recording attendance when face to face learning resumes.

Please visit your Education Department website for more information and talk to your school about any concerns.

I'm choosing to keep my child/children home from school, will this affect their Scholarship?

Your Scholarship will not be immediately impacted if you choose to keep your child/ children at home. However, good school attendance is part of our partnership together.

It is important that children continue their education, so please make sure that you follow the advice from the school. Please speak to your school if you are concerned. They will be able to provide you with specific information and support school attendance.

You can read more about school attendance here.

My child is currently home from school, how can I support their learning?

Learning can take place at home too. If your child needs to be kept home from school (they are unwell, in quarantine or their school has closed) please follow the advice of the school and the Department of Education.

If you are looking for additional ideas or resources to support learning at home, please contact your Family Partnership Coordinator.

When will I receive my next Scholarship payment?

Semester 2 Scholarship payments will be processed as usual from June- August. Please return the requested document/s (2019 End of Year School Report and Student Profile) to be eligible. Tertiary students will need to return their Semester 1 Results, Semester 2 Enrollment Confirmation and Student Profile to receive their payment.