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Primary K-6

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SIDE K-6 parents and home tutor commonly asked questions:

  • How can we organise all the resources we receive?

    Sometimes it can seem that there are lots of resources to manage. Try these tips.

    • When materials arrive from SIDE, check that you have all materials listed on the dispatch form. If any materials are missing please contact your child's teacher.
    • Read the Home Tutor Guides for each year level or learning area. These will explain what you need to do.
    • Read the course materials in Moodle and print the worksheets/workbooks required.
    • Create a clear workspace for your child during the school day.
    • Encourage your child to organise their materials for each lesson and pack them away when finished. Even young children are able to do this.
    • Create a timetable or routine for each day.
    • Scan and upload completed work to Moodle for the class teacher to assess.
    • Return resources, such as reading books and library books, to SIDE regularly.
  • How can we complete all the required activities?

    It is sometimes a challenge to complete all the activities.

    • A regular timetable and study routine is essential and creates a stable environment in which your child can develop self-reliance and independence.
    • Develop the timetable to suit your situation. Some home tutors prefer to start school early and finish early, while others prefer the morning free and the children work later in the day.
    • Vary the curriculum during the day including regular times for activities such as physical education and fitness, work modules and silent reading.
  • How can we support our child in their schooling?

    Home tutors can support student learning in different ways.

    • Be positive and enthusiastic, and take interest in your child's work. Discuss the work with your child during the study time so that he/she receives immediate feedback or extra assistance if needed.
    • Be consistent. Most children look for order, firmness and fairness.
    • Encourage learning beyond the classroom. Negotiate with teachers to incorporate local events into the program, or write a travel diary.
    • If you have more than one child studying with SIDE allow them to work together sometimes. For example, an older child could conference a writing task with a younger child, or read to a younger child.
    • Check your child's work and go through any incorrect work with them. It is important to leave any incorrect work, showing with corrected attempts underneath because this informs the class teacher's understanding about the processes your child is using.
    • When you receive teacher feedback discuss this with your child.
    • There will be times when you need to be flexible. Your child may be ill or you may be busy with other demands. Speak to the teachers about your child's workload.
    • Children with learning difficulties or special needs may need a modified learning program developed for them.

SIDE's K-6 teachers offer support for our home tutors.

  • All parents, home tutors and students are invited to SIDE for an initial interview/induction. We strongly encourage visits to the Primary team whenever you are in Perth. Please contact your child's teacher to arrange your visit.
  • Some WA families may be visited at home by their teacher. These visits allow the teacher to assist students and home tutors, and to gain a better understanding of the student's school environment at home.
  • We provide ongoing advice and feedback through phone, email and Moodle.

Check out the Tips and Tricks next.

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Achieving success in distance education is dependent on close communication between the teacher, child and parent. The home tutor works with the child to organise and complete school work. It is usually a parent but sometimes parents may employ another person in this role.

They have a vital role and is the link between the SIDE class teacher and the student. The main role of the home tutor is to guide, encourage and support the child in developing independent learning skills and completing set tasks on time.

Children learn best when they have a secure and positive learning environment. The home tutor should encourage children to:

  • develop good study habits and to be responsible for their own learning
  • organise course materials and equipment
  • complete work in the allocated time
  • prepare for each day’s lesson.

It is important that the home tutor models this behaviour and marks schoolwork as it is completed.

Further detail for home tutors is available in our Frequently Asked Questions.

Remember, we want to hear from you! Help us support your child!

Teachers value the participation of home tutors. Communication is a two-way process and we encourage home tutors to:

  • contact teachers early if you, or your child, experiences difficulties
  • complete feedback sheets and surveys
  • write comments on student work.

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Our full-time, home-based students can access a comprehensive program from Kindergarten through to Year 6. The learning modules, developed especially for SIDE, meet the requirements of the Schools Curriculum Standards Authority.

The learning modules are designed to be used by the student along with their parent or home tutor.

Year Level

Learning Area

K

P

1

2

3

4

5

6
English ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Mathematics ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Science ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
HaSS ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Health Education ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Languages     ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Technologies ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
The Arts ✔ ✔ ✔ Visual
Arts		 Visual
Arts		 Visual
Arts		 Visual
Arts		 Visual
Arts

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Achieving success in distance education is dependent on close communication between the teacher, student and parent.

There are up to fourteen modules of work that are completed by K-6 students during each school year. Support material for the home tutor and students is provided. The modules are numbered and theme-based, containing sufficient work for ten days each fortnight for P-6 students, and four days each fortnight for Kindergarten students. Lessons are flexible and teachers modify the programs to meet the needs of individual students. Other supplementary lessons are also provided throughout the year. Completion dates for modules are detailed in a calendar sent out by your child's teacher.

Teaching and learning takes place through:

  • Moodle, SIDE’s learning management system. which contains booklets, extra information, activities, and links to Webex and learning resources online
  • Webex online lessons
  • email and telephone communication
  • induction meetings
  • visits to SIDE when in Perth.

Online learning requires a computer connected to the internet. A Guide to SIDE Primary K-6 provides specific details of the IT resources required.

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SIDE is an online school and the public provider of K-12 distance education in Western Australia.

To apply to enrol, a student must be a resident of Western Australia and an approved Australian resident. There is a minimum enrolment period of at least 20 school weeks or one Western Australian school semester and students must be of compulsory school age. Each student’s enrolment eligibility is regularly reviewed.

Eligibility criteria and required documentation will vary, depending on the enrolment category. The following categories contain guidelines for determining enrolment eligibility. Application enrolment links can be found on each category page.

  • Home based students are those students where SIDE is the only school at which the student is enrolled. This category covers students who are:
    • geographically isolated
    • temporarily living overseas or travelling within Australia or overseas and not enrolled at a local school

    Go to the K-6 Home Based Students application page.

  • Students can apply to enrol with SIDE through the Referral Program. This Program is coordinated by SIDE’s school psychologists and is designed to provide support for students who are unable to attend a regular school due to:
    • severe medical/chronic health problems
    • severe mental health issues
    • pregnancy or parenting responsibilities
    • other special cases.

    Go to the K-6 Special Circumstances application page.

Please read A Guide to SIDE Primary K-6 to familiarise yourself with requirements.

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The School of Isolated and Distance Education (SIDE) is an online school and the government provider of K-12 distance education in Western Australia. SIDE is located at 164-194 Oxford Street, Leederville, a five minute walk from the Leederville train station.

  • Eligibility
    Home-based enrolments are typically permanent WA residents who meet specific eligibility criteria for the following categories:
    • geographically isolated
    • travelling
    • special circumstances (discuss eligibility requirementswith a SIDE Primary Enrolments officer).

    Enrolment Process

    Home-based student enrolment information and instructions are on the SIDE website.

    K-6 Primary > Enrolment > K-6 Eligibility Guidelines

    K-6 Primary > Enrolment > K-6 Enrolment Process

  • General Information

    Role of the Home Tutor

    Achieving success in distance education is dependent on the student, home tutor and teacher working together as a team. The teacher is in direct contact with your child(ren) for only a small proportion of the total teaching time; you do much of the day-to-day work. As a home tutor you play a pivotal role. Using the supplied support materials will ensure you provide the best learning environment for your child.

    Support for Home Tutors

    Teachers in the primary years offer support to children and their families.

    • All parents/home tutors are invited to SIDE for an initialinterview/induction.
    • Visits to SIDE whenever you are in Perth.
    • Some families may be visited at home by their teacher(s).

    SIDE Support for Students

    SIDE provides a range of support services and our families are encouraged to utilise these resources:

    • experienced teachers
    • online classrooms, Moodle and Webex
    • Library Resource Centre
    • school psychologists.

    Attendance

    Attendance at SIDE is based upon satisfactory submission of work, regular teacher/student contact (email, phone, visit), participation in Webex lessons and daily engagement in Moodle activities as prescribed on each child’s Term Calendar. Attendance is regularly reviewed by the school.Keep in regular contact, whether by telephone or email, with your child’s teacher(s). We want to hear from you and your child. Let your child’s teacher know how the school work is going and if you have any problems.

  • Online Learning Tools

    Webex

    Webex is an online classroom where teaching and learning occurs in real time. The SIDE teacher is the host and the students are the participants. Lessons are scheduled by teachers. Students are expected to attend at the allocated time. Webex sessions are recorded and students are expected to watch the playback if they miss a lesson. Students generally access the lessons through a link in their Moodle course.

    Webex support and installation instructions are on the SIDE website

    Help & Resources > Learning Online > Webex

    Moodle

    Every course has a web ‘space’ where students access lesson materials and activities, upload work, and interact with their teacher and other students. Moodle has secure logins, and is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    Required ICT Resources

    • An internet connection that is as fast and reliable as possible.
    • A computer is essential. It should run Windows 10 (version 1909) or Windows 11 or Apple Mac (OS version 10.15 or above). Other devices such as iPads, Windows 10S, Android tablets and Chromebooks will not fully function with our online teaching platforms.
    • Software installed on the computer should include an up-to-date web browser, and Adobe Reader or equivalent. Microsoft Office is provided.
    • A USB headset with a microphone.
    • Access to a printer, a scanner/digital camera or mobile phone and data storage. A webcam is desirable.

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