The school has currently moved to a model of remote learning due to COVID-19 events.  During this time the school is currently open to children of essential workers, vulnerable students or students with other needs. The school provides a Remote Learning Program to allow students to continue with their learning until we return to usual school attendance.

In order to do this we will utilise a number of online environments to coordinate learning and communication. This page is designed to assist families in accessing and using these online environments.  These include:

1. Microsoft Teams: A safe and secure space for video conferencing and messaging with their teacher, inclusion assistants and their classmates.
2. Seesaw: This site is used by parents and students for all class work from K to 3.
3. Google Classrooms: The site to access their learning program and submit any work that is required for Years 4 to 6.
4. Schoolzine:  
5. Online Learning Resources: Each year level has a collection of links that teachers will refer to in their learning program as well as a number
   of other useful resources. This will be updated as required.

1.  Microsoft Teams

Within MS Teams itself, students have the capacity to access their Google Classroom, Seesaw and the Student Learning Centre. Some people, depending on the device they use, experience issues between components. Please read the following to determine the best approach for you.

MS Teams can be used in two ways:

1. Web browser: Students will open MS Teams up as a new tab in Google Chrome. This way students can have each of the sites they use for their learning program as different tabs in Google Chrome. The benefit of this is that any interaction issues between each program are significantly reduced. The limitation with this is that in video conferencing a user can usually only see one person at a time.
2. Desktop/Tablet/Chromebook app: MS Teams can be downloaded as a separate app to be used on your computer, chromebook or ipad/tablet. The only issues that may be experienced in using the MS Teams app version is that some Google Classrooms links may be interrupted. When videoconferencing with the app a user can see at least four other people in the group.
   
   The following information may assist you in accessing Microsoft Teams:

• • Printable Handout for Families Chrome Browser
  • Printable Handout for Families Web Client
  • Printable Handout for Families iPad

2.  Seesaw

Teachers from K-3 at STA will use Seesaw to directly message parents in their class community. These messages might be broad communications across the whole class group of parents and carers, or a direct message to specific parents and carers (e.g. quick reminders).

Seesaw is available through apps for phones and tablets or can be logged into on computers and chromebooks.

If using a phone or tablet there are two types of Seesaw apps:

Teachers from K-3 at STA will use Seesaw to directly message parents in their class community. These messages might be broad communications across the whole class group of parents and carers, or a direct message to specific parents and carers (e.g. quick reminders).

Seesaw is available through apps for phones and tablets or can be logged into on computers and chromebooks.

If using a phone or tablet there are two types of Seesaw apps:

Seesaw - Get Students and Families Onboard

Seesaw - Getting Started Guides to Show Students how to use Seesaw

Seesaw - Catholic Learning Online Webinar Recordings – 45 minutes to 1 Hour

3.  Google Classrooms

Google Classrooms is part of the G Suite for Education. Upon enrolment Catholic Education of Canberra and Goulburn (CECG) provide all students in our school with access to this using a secure email and password. Students in Years 4 to 6 have been provided with these log in details. 

A note to our students about Google Classrooms

Once you log in to Google Classrooms and then enter your classroom there will be some guides on how to use Google Classroom effectively. If you are having difficulty in logging into Google Classrooms be sure to email your teacher or have your parents email them as soon as possible to get help. Remember the main points in the video above:

• You need to open up Google Chrome or another web browser on your computer to access your Google Classroom. You can also access it on a tablet or phone by downloading the Google Classroom app.
• You will need your school email address and password to log into your Google Classroom. These are private and secure. Do not share them with anyone other than your parents.
  
  

4.  Schoolzine

Schoolzine is a significant arm of our schoolwide communication strategy at St Thomas Aquinas. In the event of a school closure it is imperative that parents can either have the Schoolzine app on their phone or at the least have their best email contact address registered in Schoolzine to ensure they receive communication from the school. If it is not possible to download the Schoolzine app then please contact our Front Office to get help or discuss other options.

Many of our families are familiar with Schoolzine. If you are not, the please follow the links below to see how you can connect to Schoolzine and keep connected to school wide communication.