As coronavirius has spread around the globe and a local hot spot developed we cannot fully understand the impact this pandemic is having on families and individuals. We understand that many of our community members will be living in drastically different circumstances. Reduced income, unemployment, uncertainty, underemployment, health concerns, loneliness and anxiety are just some of the consequences.  As a large community organisation we have access to a range of resources and support services so please do not hesitate to reach out to Don College staff if you feel we might be able to assist in any way.

Despite the negative consequences of CV-19 I am really impressed by the agility and focus of our students, parents and carers and teachers. Setting up for Learning from Home required a quick response and new skills had to be learnt by all. Generally students have remained focussed on their learning. Student engagement rate is over 90% and our students have produced some quality work. Maintaining a focus in adversity and coping with change are great attributes to carry forward in life.

Due to this productive activity that students have undertaken, in general there has been minimal disruption to learning outcomes achievable by the end of the year. We encourage all students to maintain their focus and continue to engage in the Learning From Home activities. TASC will soon announce minor changes for 2020 to courses and Examination Specifications and our VET teachers are working hard to ensure that all students will have the opportunity to complete practical requirements of courses this year when they return to Don College on May 25th.

Respect is a core value of Don College and our expectation is that all students and staff will be respectful of each other’s personal bubble when they return. Whilst maintaining a physical distance of 1.5 metres at all times might not be possible we ask all community members to be mindful that others might have specific reasons or circumstances that make them feel vulnerable and we will demonstrate Respect by allowing others to maintain their “bubble”. Continuing to maintain excellent personal hygiene, keeping a distance and staying away from school if you are unwell are also respectful behaviours that benefit the broader community. We look forward to welcoming students back to Don College for Face to Face learning on Monday, 25th of May.

John Thompson

Our Don College Careers website is your one stop shop for all the information that is important to you. Watch our whistlestop tour video below:

Regularly check the “Important Information” link on the site for the most current information.

We would like to highlight the importance of students registering with UTAS for the early offers, through a very easy to fill in form (see on the site or at https://www.utas.edu.au/undergraduate-study/tasmanian-school-leaver)

The University link in the Post Graduate sections is very useful, particularly for those looking for Universities – Info about Unis and Courses  that offer early entry schemes (which may be closing soon).

Please have a look around and discover what information is available for you.

Below is an ad for the ADFs Gap Year programme.

 

Reasonable adjustments for TASC external assessments

The Office of TASC (Tasmanian Assessment, Standards and Certification) is committed to providing all Tasmanian senior secondary students with the opportunity to access and participate in TASC accredited courses, that would ideally lead to the conferral of qualifications and achievement of the Tasmanian Certificate of Education, the Tasmanian Qualifications Certificate and/or the Tasmanian Certificate of Educational Achievement.

TASC recognises that some Tasmanian senior secondary students may not be able to access or participate in TASC accredited courses on the same basis as other students without access to reasonable adjustments.

Students are eligible for reasonable adjustments on the following grounds:

• Condition, impairment or disability as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (for example: physical disability, vision impairment, hearing impairment, medical condition, specific learning disorder, psychological disorder)
• Refugee student status
• Personal circumstances causing an interruption to schooling (for example death of a close family member, religious or cultural practices / obligations)
• Misadventure (for example an injury resulting in a non-permanent functional impairment)

TASC reasonable adjustments policy can be found here: https://www.tasc.tas.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/TASC-Reasonable-Adjustments-Policy.pdf

If students cannot access medical professionals currently to complete their reasonable adjustment form they should still lodge an intention to apply.  TASC would like applications to be lodged by Friday 29 May at least (with your subject teacher).

Students who may be eligible for reasonable adjustments should let their relevant subject teacher know in the first instance.  Their teacher will then begin the process of lodging an application.  This process should only be undertaken by students who are sitting a TASC external examination in a level 3 or 4 Pre-Tertiary subject.

If a student received ‘Special Provisions’ in 2019, their application will automatically be considered.  Some students from 2019 will need to provide current medical advice (these students have been sent a letter and application home via Australia Post).  Students who have an ongoing condition from 2019 (eg. diabetes, specific learning disorder) and who had a successful application will automatically be granted the same provisions in 2020.  These students will also be notified via mail as to their ongoing status.  Any queries please contact Don’s TASC Liaison Officer Dominique Emmett on dominique.emmett@education.tas.gov.au

TASC UPDATES

TASC are continually updating their home page with information regarding Covid-19 and the impact on students learning and qualifications.  The latest information can be found at:  https://www.tasc.tas.gov.au/ 

Here is the series of Top Tips that we have published through our facebook page:

The COVIDSafe app has now been released, and will assist state health officials to quickly contact people who may have been exposed to COVID-19. We are encouraging the Don College community members to download the COVIDSafe app, but note that doing so is completely voluntary.

Downloading the app is something you can do to protect you, your family and friends and save the lives of other Australians. The more Australians connect to the COVIDSafe app, the quicker we can find the virus and hopefully resume on site learning.

For full details visit https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app

During the times we have had to be creative as teachers and students. Working from home has provided its challenges as well as its opportunities. Lots has been going on from Food and Hospitality Enterprise students creating food at home and sending in pics to physical subjects like Dance, video conferencing their slick moves.

The government has now set Monday 25th May as the date that college students return to classes so the landscape will change again. We are taking all necessary steps to ensure the college environment is a safe one and measures are in place for physical/social distancing and hygiene practices.

We look forward to seeing everyone again...

I have previously worked in Paediatrics at Monash Health in Victoria, and as a Health Promotion Nurse with Royal Flying Doctor Service which saw me driving a truck through the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia providing health and medical care to people on cattle stations, roadhouses and National parks.

More recently I was employed as an Educator with Ambulance Victoria, which allowed me to visit and educate regional Victorian communities and school children on what to do in medical emergencies.  

I look forward to working with you, so, upon returning to Don, please feel free to drop in for chat or to gain information regarding any medical or health concerns you may have.

I work Monday, Tuesday and alternate Wednesdays and can be found in B201 next to the Salon class and GP clinic.

Phone 6424 0278  or to the college reception at 6424 0200.

Applied Fashion Design and Technology students are making masks for the Community. They are wired at the nose for a firm fit. We are very proud of their effort as students are still working from home. 

In his role as a UNICEF Ambassador, Mason first visited Don College in February. His purpose was to listen to our students about the issues that impact on them as residents of a rural, regional area of Australia. At that time, leaving the area for further education, transport, the environment and employment were uppermost in their minds. Mason has returned to find out what impact the current pandemic crisis has had on students. Now the major issues include online learning, disturbance to daily structure, decision making about where to do tertiary study, the role and purpose of exams and ATAR scores, and dealing with stressed customers in the workplace. The student discussions will form part of an Australia wide UNICEF report on the issues that are uppermost on the minds of young Australians.

Argh! My computer isn’t working! HELP!!
In a fantastic initiative, Don students who study ‘Information, Digital Media & Technology’ operate an IT Help Desk for Don College staff and students. If you’ve got a IT problem, we can help!
https://bit.ly/IDMTHelpDesk