RICHMOND ANIMAL SCIENCE
SCRATCHING POST WEEKLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 5 | 18/05/2020
COVID-19 AND YOUR STUDIES TAFE NSW is working towards modified face to face delivery and undertaking risk assessments to determine if face to face delivery is appropriate given the current COVID-19 1.5m social distancing policy. TAFE NSW is different from schools and adheres to the government health guidelines set for adults and young people. We are awaiting a student communication piece from TAFE NSW outlining further details on this; hopefully to be sent to you all over the coming weeks. As information emerges we will keep you updated. Just reminder that as an essential service Richmond College is open for learners to access computer and library resources. J block has been set up for student use and social distancing/ hygienic practices are implemented. If you would like to access the college for library items or technology access please let us know on 024570 9099. We are receiving a lot of enquiries regarding courses and the practical components and work placement. As you can understand that due COVID-19 the practical skills and workplace hours have been impacted. All work placement hours/ experience and practicals assessments must be undertaken and deemed competent for learners to course complete. At this stage it seems unlikely that most student’s expected course timetables will finalise as originally scheduled. This will have a flow on effect into Semester 2 2020. We are looking at a delayed start to qualifications that would have normally commenced in July as learners will not be ready and complete in our lower level courses. At this stage we are hopeful that with easing restrictions we may be able to offer start dates for later in 2020 for our Certificate III and IV Qualifications. We will be applying extensions to learner’s enrolments; we need to ensure that all elements and performance
Produced by TAFE NSW Richmond Animal Science Management Team
skills are met for each unit of competency for learners to be able to gain the qualifications and be job ready. It important we all work together in these uncertain times; we need to be open to re-evaluating our current expectations regarding course delivery and completion. You may have moved onto the next units in your course; we are making our way through the theory of subjects in the hopes of undertaking practical activities and assessments within the next few months. Once social distancing guidelines ease and we are notified by TAFENSW that we can undertake practicals; given the nature and risks of working with Animals we do need the 1.5m social distancing to be lifted before most practical activities can be undertaken safely. Remember … The same rules of conduct apply within virtual classrooms as in other TAFE NSW learning spaces. In a successful virtual classroom students participate, respect others and stay safe. You may be penalised if you disrupt your class, harass students or teachers, damage property, cheat in examinations, or otherwise act in a way contrary to the good conduct of TAFE NSW. See the TAFE NSW 2020 Student Guide for more information.