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STUDENTS       DOE STAFF               

Every student requires support and guidance in their schooling. Online learning at SIDE is a different style of learning requiring IT skills and a high level of independence.

The following resources are intended to support parents and school-based supervisors in carrying out their important roles.


  • Effective communication between parents, students, teachers and the Student Coordinator is essential.

    Here are some frequently asked questions for Year 7-12 Parent Supervisors.

    • How can I find out more about teaching and learning at SIDE?
      Teaching and learning at SIDE is heavily dependent upon technology. Students attend live subject lessons in Webex, and use Moodle to access course work materials and submit assessments.
      • Read Fast Track to SIDE for more detail about online learning at SIDE and support for your child’s education.
      • Contact your child’s Student Coordinator who enrols and monitors your child during their time at SIDE.
      • Be familiar with the SIDE website.
    • What are the ingredients for SIDE success?
      You can support your child to:
      • be organised
      • be effective in their time management
      • communicate regularly with their teachers and Student Coordinator
      • ask questions
      • visit SIDE
      • stay connected, read Moodle announcements, and news and newsletter articles on the website
      • set up a suitable work area that includes:
        • required IT resources
        • phone
        • storage area for materials
        • desk, chair and general stationery
        • resources from Booklist.

      Check Fast Track to SIDE for further details about IT resources.

    • How will my child know how and when to get started?
      • If your child is new to SIDE an email will be sent to the email address provided with Getting Started at SIDE in the subject line.
        • It is sent to the email address provided at enrolment. If this has changed contact the Student Coordinator immediately.
        • Some new students not based in a public school will be sent a second email about their password.
        • From 2021 all SIDE students will use their Department of Education email for all further communication. Remember to check the Junk Mail folder.
      • Students who are:
        • new to SIDE and commencing at the beginning of the school year will receive their start email toward the end of January.
        • new to SIDE and commencing after the beginning of the school year will receive their start email within a few days of enrolment.
        • re-enrolling at SIDE use their Department of Education username and password to access Moodle.
      • When your child logs into Moodle they will see Launchpad or Essentials. These Moodle courses provide information about studying at SIDE and starter activities. Subject courses will appear as teachers add your child to their course.
      • Teachers will contact your child by phone or email regarding Webex classes and Moodle courses.
    • How will my child know when Webex classes start?
      Webex classes will start by Week 2 of the school year.

      Teachers will provide details about Webex lesson times in their Moodle course.

      Teachers will also contact your child by phone, email or Moodle announcement about commencement of Webex lessons.
    • How can I support my child to get started at SIDE?
      • Read Fast Track to SIDE especially the sections related to technology and getting started.
      • Check Booklist and buy stationery and textbook requirements.
      • Be involved. Email or phone the Student Coordinator and teachers rather than worry or wonder.
      • Make sure that your child’s DoE email is working.
      • Read and access support materials and resources on the SIDE website. These resources are updated regularly.
      • Help your child to set up their work / study area and a list of SIDE contacts that includes their teachers and the Student Coordinator.
      • Check that all teachers have contacted your child. If you don’t know who the teacher is, contact the Student Coordinator.
      • Print the weekly timetable and Due Dates Calendar templates.
      • Assist your child to organise and complete a weekly timetable and a semester Work Completion Calendar that includes all Webex lessons and assessment dates.
      • Read and discuss SIDE’s assessment and attendance policies with your child.
      • Check that your child has received an initial dispatch from SIDE and relevant resources from the SIDE Library Resource Centre.
    • How do I know who to contact at SIDE?
      Telephone SIDE reception (9311 1400) as a starting point until you know your child’s teachers.

      Assist your child to make a list of all class teachers so you have a contact list that you both can use.

      Contact the Student Coordinator if in any doubt.
    • Can I contact my child’s teachers?
      Yes! SIDE welcomes your contact. If you do not have email addresses or phone numbers, contact SIDE Reception on 9311 1400 and ask to be transferred to the teacher.
    • Who do I contact if my child has a problem?
      Use email and phone to communicate with teachers and the Student Coordinator.
    • When should I contact the Student Coordinator?
      Student Coordinators enrol and monitor your child’s progress at SIDE. They should be contacted if:
      • you have any concerns about your child
      • contact details are changing
      • you anticipate any planned absences
      • there are unplanned absences
      • there are any changes in your child’s life that may impact upon their schooling
      • you have any questions.
    • How can I monitor my child’s progress during the year?
      • Parent Connect is an excellent resource for parents. It provides access to information about your child’s education, including, but not limited to:
        • your child’s classes
        • assessment results for secondary subjects
        • Interim and Semester Reports.
      • Familiarise yourself with Parent Connect as it provides communication to parents about the school.
      • Contact the Student Coordinator for a summary of progress in all subjects, if required.
      • Be familiar with the Attendance policy and respond to teacher emails or letters of concern.
      • Contact your child’s teachers to discuss progress.
      • Use the Due Dates Calendar to monitor that your child is submitting work to teachers via Moodle.
    • What happens at the end of the year?
      • If your child is continuing at SIDE:
        • Complete the re-enrolment forms for your child or inform the Student Coordinator if your child is transferring to another school.
        • Purchase the Booklist items for subjects and courses for the following year.
      • Return all kit, library resources and unused learning materials to SIDE.

    Parent Supervisors FAQ


    • Introducing the School-Based Supervisor role

      School-based supervisors are assigned by schools to support their students’ success in their SIDE study programs. SIDE teachers teach the students through online learning.

      School supervisors:

      • actively communicate with the SIDE Student Coordinator and teachers
      • support SIDE students with their day-to-day studies including attending online lessons
      • ensure students complete their completed work according to SIDE course and assessment guidelines
      • where applicable supervise assessments, tests and exams.

      The workload will depend on factors such as: the number of students, year levels, geographic location, number of subjects/courses selected and whether SIDE provides some or all of the student program.

      Learning at SIDE

      SIDE’s timetable is structured around 40-minute periods. While schools have some capacity to request the best fit for their own timetables during the September – December timetabling period, the timetable reflects SIDE’s own timetabling constraints.

      SIDE teachers are in regular communication with schools and students.

      SIDE uses two main platforms for teaching and learning.

      • Webex is the SIDE platform for live, online lessons. Two Webex lessons per week are timetabled for many SIDE subjects/courses.
      • Moodle is SIDE’s 24/7 learning management system where students complete work independently, under the direction and guidance of their teachers.
    • Organising to be an effective SIDE supervisor

      School-based supervisors and students receive lots of SIDE communication by email, Moodle announcements and phone. Setting up your own way of organising these communications makes it easier to support students.

      Some tips:

      • If you are new to SIDE supervision read Fast Track to SIDE to find out more.
      • Check your emails regularly, at least twice daily.
      • Store emails so that you can find them, eg in folders by student name.
      • Consider keeping a diary for important details in each week, eg student due dates, problems with IT, etc.
      • Display student timetables indicating Webex lesson times and other times spent in subject/course work eg in Moodle, completing tasks, etc.
      • Make sure the SIDE Student Coordinator has your phone number and knows when you are available for calls.
    • Getting students started with SIDE

      SIDE Website is the best source of information.

      • Contact the SIDE Student Coordinator. They will usually contact you, however their details can be found at HELP & RESOURCES > SECONDARY 7-12 SUPPORT
      • Confirm that students from your school are enrolled with SIDE, their subjects/courses and their SIDE timetabled lesson times. Lesson times are available on the SIDE website > 2024 TIMETABLE OPTIONS
      • Ensure that students have access to a quiet and well-equipped learning environment including a workspace and suitable IT.
      • Go to HELP & RESOURCES > LEARNING ONLINE > TROUBLESHOOT on the SIDE website for ICT assistance. If necessary, escalate issues you cannot sort out to the relevant level eg school IT support, Department of Education Help Desk.

      Students new to SIDE

      • Refer to the information under the tab.
      • Ensure students activate their Moodle account by logging in once (follow instructions under HELP & RESOURCES >SUPPORT RESOURCES > STARTING AT SIDE). To log in, they require their Department of Education (DoE) username and password.
      • Once students have activated their Moodle account, students will automatically be enrolled in an orientation course called SIDE Launchpad. As soon as students have been allocated to a teacher and have an active Moodle account, students will be added to their relevant subject courses and/or classrooms.
      • If required ensure students have purchased texts and/or received materials from SIDE Dispatch.

      Student personal organisation

      Assist students to:

      • make a list of SIDE contacts including phone numbers and email addresses
      • create a composite Due Dates Calendar and double check these against the assessment dates provided in Moodle
      • create their own timetable reflecting their SIDE timetable and their school timetable.

      Resources to assist with student organisation can be downloaded from the next tab SUPPORTING STUDENT ORGANISATION.

    • Keeping students connected at SIDE

      Daily

      • Contact the Student Coordinator about all student absences and ask them to advise SIDE teachers know.
      • Monitor student participation, especially attendance at Webex lessons and use of Moodle.

      Weekly

      • Start of week – review with students work due during the week, changes in due dates, reminders, etc.
      • Check students have written this information in their school diary.
      • Encourage students to maintain contact with teachers especially if they have problems.
      • Identify issues that may impact on student performance and discuss these with the Student Coordinator.
      • Use a whiteboard for timetables or date due reminders.
      • Communicate with parents as appropriate.
    • Networking with others

      Communicate with other SIDE School Supervisors, visit SIDE or look at some examples of best practice online or in person.

      Some School-based Supervisors who are willing to share their own experiences are also listed.

      Goldfields  

      Name School Contact details Note
      Anne Sheehan Menzies Community School MCS: (08) 9024 2049
      High-school: (08) 9024 2570
      Call after 2:30pm most days of the week.

      Kimberley  

      Name School Contact details Note
      Kellie Jackson East Kimberley College (08) 9168 4466
      kellie.jackson@education.wa.edu.au
      5 years’ experience as SIDE Supervisor at EKC.
      Available for email at any time or calls preferred after 2.15pm.
      Will Spark Broome Senior High School (08) 9195 3142
      william.spark@education.wa.edu.au
      6 years experience as SIDE Supervisor.
      Available for email or calls.

      Southwest  

      Name School Contact details Note
      Christine Waring Eaton Community College (08) 9796 7062
      christine.waring@education.wa.edu.au
      Happy to help by phone, email or face to face meeting.

      Wheatbelt  

      Name School Contact details Note
      Caitlin Hogan Mukinbudin District High School (08) 9047 1351
      caitlin.hogan@education.wa.edu.au
      Available Monday – Friday 9am–3pm via phone or email.
      2 years' experience as SIDE Supervisor for Year 11 and 12 students.


    School-based supervisor information booklet


  • Parents and school-based supervisors can use the following documents which have proved useful in supporting students to become more organised and effective.

    • Overview

      Fast Track to SIDE provides an overview of online learning and key strategies to assist students.

      Read Fast Track to SIDE to find out more about:

      • setting up a space for students to work
      • IT requirements for SIDE students
      • online learning at SIDE
      • self-organising ideas.
    • Set Up a Weekly SIDE Timetable

      A timetable is essential for home and school-based students.

      Students should build their timetables considering:

      • SIDE Webex lessons
      • existing school timetable (school-based student)
      • morning tea and lunch breaks, homework/revision
      • student’s most productive time
      • minimum time requirements for each subject and sharing these across the week.

      Year 7-12 Blank timetable - 2024

    • Due Dates Calendar

      A composite Due Dates Calendar assists students to submit required work on time.

      Each SIDE teacher provides a Course and Assessment Outline (and a Due Date Calendar) in the Moodle course. Where students study several subjects or courses they should create an overview of all the due work across the semester.

      Note: Due dates may change and students should adjust their calendar accordingly.

      Year 11-12 Due Date Calendars

      Year 11 and 12 requirements vary. A blank calendar allows students to complete their individual due date. Supervisors should assist the student to transfer dates for work completion into the composite calendar and assist in monitoring work completion.

      Year 11/12 Blank Composite Due Date Calendar

      Year 7-10 Due Date Calendars

      SIDE Student Services has part-completed the due dates for five subjects (English, HaSS, Maths, Science and Health) on these composite calendars. Supervisors should assist the student to transfer work due dates for other subjects and monitor work completion.

      Year 7 Composite Due Date Calendar

      Year 8 Composite Due Date Calendar

      Year 9 Composite Due Date Calendar

      Year 10 Composite Due Date Calendar

    Key Contacts

    Students need to maintain good communication with their SIDE Student Coordinator and teachers. Some supervisors write contact information on a whiteboard in the SIDE classroom. Others prefer something in print.

    SIDE Key Contacts