Subject: Update Following the Extension of the Lockdown - July 28
Morning all,
As you may have seen, Greater Sydney’s stay at home order has been extended by another four weeks. Stay at home orders apply to Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong, and Shellharbour until August 28 2021 at 11.59pm .
Full info here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid‐19/latest‐news‐and‐updates.
This is disappointing news but given the direction of numbers in the past few days not surprising. We are working through the impact this will have on hands on learning at present and will get back to you very soon on what this means for your course. The impact will be different for each course and each year of the
course.
I have heard from many of you that you would like certainty about what is going to happen with your learning this semester. We are working to ensure that we get close to certainty as soon as possible. This is an evolving situation, and we are all showing our agility and flexibility. I have been very impressed by
constant displays of generosity and togetherness that I have seen.
As was true last year, we are committed to delivering the learning for your subjects. This includes hands‐on learning and production / broadcast activities. The extension will impact the timetable for the delivery of those hands‐on learning activities. However, we have plans for various contingencies to
deliver those hands‐on learning and we are now working out what is the best plan to enact to deliver your learning given the current situation.
Your currently scheduled online classes will go ahead as scheduled.
CONSULTATION
Designed in partnership with the Student Representative Committee, a survey will be sent out later this week to all students to understand how COVID is impacting you, and what your concerns are in relation to your course, and the return to hands‐on learning on campus.
We will organize another all‐student forum next week, as well as individual course meetings by year ‐ some of which are already happening. In order to be heard your participation in the survey and student forum or student meetings is key.
REACH OUT
This extension is not what anyone wanted. It is okay not to feel okay.
I want to reassure you that we have been through a lockdown before; last year we managed to ensure that all students had hands on learning and were able to achieve their learning outcomes.
We have a good range of contingency plans in place to that again this year. We can and will be able to get through this.
Support: if you need support, for instance if you need to have better internet connection or have some technical needs, please contact the Student Centre.
Best,
David
David Balfour
Director of Teaching & Learning
Australian Film Television and Radio School
P +61 2 9805 6528
E David.Balfour@aftrs.edu.au
Subject: Important Information about Lockdown 12 July 2021
Dear All,
I am writing this to update you on AFTRS’ response to the current outbreak of COVID in the Greater Sydney area.
The situation at present does not show any signs of ending in time for learning on campus to start on the 19th of July, when many courses were scheduled to start hands-on learning.
AFTRS has made the decision that all learning for weeks 19-23 July and 26-30 July will be remote / online.
This will mean different things for each course and year within course. You will get an email later this week from your Course Leader detailing the changes. These changes may include changing the start date of a subject or delivery pattern.
This decision is not taken lightly; but after careful consideration of the current situation and the implications of not taking appropriate action to ensure continuity of your learning both now and later in the semester. It will also allow AFTRS to continue to plan should the lockdown continue after this period.
AFTRS Planning for Post-lockdown
CONSULTATION WEDNESDAY AT 4pm
We had a great student forum on Friday. Given the speed of the changes, we will have another all-student forum this Wednesday at 4pm. Hope to see you there if you can make it. Do email me if you have any questions.
Here is the link to Friday’s recording. https://moodle.aftrs.edu.au/course/view.php?id=96
This page also contains all the latest communications about COVID.
Important Items in Planning for the Upcoming Semester
1. Support: if you need support, for instance if you need better internet connection or have some technical needs, please contact the Student Centre. Support may be available.
2. Outside NSW: If you left Sydney area during your mid-year break and are unsure about returning in time for S2 start, please make yourself known to your Course Leader and the Student Centre. When there is more clarity about returning to on-campus delivery we will be in touch with those impacted students.
REACH OUT
And it is okay not to feel okay at this time. Many people have had holidays cancelled, haven’t been able to visit or see family, have health concerns, are managing kids on school holidays or have caring responsibilities. Some of you may also be wondering how you are going to manage home-schooling responsibilities and your own work next week. If you don’t feel ok, please reach out to chat to someone.
Thank you and stay safe.
Best,
David
David Balfour
Director of Teaching & Learning
Australian Film Television and Radio School