Holi is an ancient festival of India, also known as the festival of colors and friendship, It celebrates the sweet relationships in society.

Hindus, Sikhs (also known as Hola Mahalla) and others, celebrate it. 

On Saturday, March 26, our Hindi students, teachers, and community celebrated Holi by participating in a variety of activities, firstly in their own class followed by poetry recitals for the festival all together outside in the courtyard. 

There are a lot of creative activities taking place in VSL Centres. The VCE students at the Brunswick Centre prepared a feature in Il Globo which was also pasted on their Facebook page. The topic was “Letter to a future student” and was accompanied by a Video. The teacher, Lidia Nuzzolese explains:

“When at the end of the lock down we returned to school last year, I asked the students to reflect on their experience . From here the idea to write “Letter to the student of the future” and create a video for them. The intent was to leave a positive message and keep a record of our time spent in isolation but united by willingness and motivation to overcome this difficult year. We filmed all the scenes on the last days of school and the memories of the joy and laughter of the wonderful class of 2020  will remain for ever.”

See the article and video at this link:

https://ilglobo.com/en/news/letter-to-a-future-student-

There are a lot of creative activities taking place in VSL Centres. The VCE students at the Brunswick Centre prepared a feature in Il Globo which was also pasted on their Facebook page. The topic was “Letter to a future student” and was accompanied by a Video. The teacher, Lidia Nuzzolese explains:

“When at the end of the lock down we returned to school last year, I asked the students to reflect on their experience . From here the idea to write “Letter to the student of the future” and create a video for them. The intent was to leave a positive message and keep a record of our time spent in isolation but united by willingness and motivation to overcome this difficult year. We filmed all the scenes on the last days of school and the memories of the joy and laughter of the wonderful class of 2020  will remain for ever.”

See the article and video at this link:

https://ilglobo.com/en/news/letter-to-a-future-student-

• All Distance Education classes will operate as normal during school hours Monday to Friday.
• For enquiries for distance education courses for 2021 contact the VSL Enrolment Officer on (03) 9474 0500 – enrolments are open at: https://www.vsl.vic.edu.au/enrol/
• It is planned to have Distance Education student seminars either at the Thornbury site or at the city location commencing in March 2021.

Distance Education Health Measures

• Distance Education staff are required to maintain social distancing and OHS measures and the COVID Safe Plan.
• Distance Education teachers are not required to wear face masks or coverings while teaching but should wear them at other times.
• Distance Education teachers are required to sign in when coming into the building or use their mobile phone to scan the code of the ‘Service Victoria’ app.

Our school is very excited about our return to more regular program delivery in 2021.

Thank you to all students, teachers and parents for your co-operation and understanding during the challenging 2020 school year.

We must, however, continue to maintain our social distancing and hygiene practices and wear masks when travelling on public transport or in crowded place. We certainly do not want to experience Stage 3 of the coronavirus restrictions again.

Best wishes to everyone for a safe holiday period and a smooth start to the 2021 school year.

• All Centre classes from Foundation to Year 12 (VCE) resume for on-site learning at the respective Centres across Victoria on Saturday 6 February (and equivalent dates for mid-week classes).
• VCE courses will be delivered according to the published schedules and timelines of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (check VCAA webpage) – our school will meet all of the timelines.
• If students or parents need clarification about the session dates they may check them on our web site at: https://www.vsl.vic.edu.au/SessionsMidWeek.aspx

• Student enrolments for 2021 are open and will need to be completed online.

• The enrolments will continue to be open until the places in the individual classes are filled.

Health Measures

• The VSL will implement the latest health measures as determined by the Department of Education and Training.
• Face masks must always be carried by students over the age of 12 and also by all teaching and non-teaching staff.
• Face masks are not required in schools when people distance from others, however, they are strongly recommended indoors for staff and secondary school students in school environments when physical distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained. This may include classrooms, corridors and communal areas.
• Existing exemptions continue, including masks not being required when teaching.
• Face masks continue to be mandatory on public transport and school buses.
• All teachers and students are required to maintain appropriate social distancing, and students need to use hand sanitiser as they enter a classroom.
• Until canteens reopen, students need to bring a drink bottle of water and, if they require it, their own recess snacks – food must not be shared.
• Parents are requested to maintain social distancing when they drop off and pick up their children at their respective Centres.

 Our school is very excited about our return to face-to-face teaching in 2021.

 Thank you to all students, teachers and parents for your co-operation and understanding during the challenging 2020 school year when we transitioned to remote teaching and learning.

 We must, however, continue to maintain our social distancing and hygiene practices and wear masks when travelling on public transport or in crowded place. We certainly do not want to experience Stage 3 of the coronavirus restrictions again.

Best wishes to everyone for a safe holiday period and a smooth start to the 2021 school year.