“(Past VSV student) has started back at (school name) in a full-time capacity. We would like to thank the staff at VSV, and particularly Emma, for the care and support you have shown to VSV student and parent. You have been nothing but supportive and it shows you are perfect for this role. The communication from VSV that included us when VSV student was enrolled at both schools was terrific and I thank you for that. You obviously have very good processes to ensure everyone is kept informed about a student’s progress.”
For primary teacher, Emma Di Stefano, collaboration is something lived every day at VSV — and something that stands apart from her earlier experiences in education. Having previously worked in one of the smallest schools in the state, where resources and staffing were limited, Emma describes the difference at VSV as significant. At our school, collaboration means working alongside a broad network of colleagues, wellbeing staff, learning advisors, families and partner schools, all contributing to the support of each student.
This collaborative approach becomes especially important for students in shared enrolment arrangements, where communication between the school, families and the partner school can shape a student’s entire experience. When communication is inconsistent, families can understandably feel that navigating shared enrolment is difficult.
“Sometimes a five-minute phone call can completely change the direction of a school term. Those small moments build trust and create the safe relationships students need to thrive.”
Emma explains that strong collaboration allows shared enrolment to work as intended — giving students the flexibility to learn across both face-to-face and online settings while building confidence, engagement and routine.
“For some students, the quieter online environment gives them the space to focus on learning without the sensory overload that can come from a busy classroom setting.”
Families and supervisors play a vital role in sharing updates that help staff respond to each student’s needs and wellbeing.
“We may not see our students face-to-face every day, so communication becomes incredibly important. Parents and carers help us understand how students are really going, and that insight is invaluable.”
For Emma, collaboration is built through consistency, organisation and care. Behind the scenes are detailed student profiles, communication records and regular check-ins designed to ensure no student or family feels disconnected. Each student has key contacts identified, and ongoing updates reviewed so support remains responsive.
Staying connected requires continual attention, particularly in an online environment. Reviewing when the last communication occurred and maintaining a “to do” list for each student helps ensure families, supervisors and partner schools remain part of the conversation. While the systems are practical, the motivation behind them is simple: making students and families feel supported.
Over time, those relationships become the foundation for successful collaboration. Families feel heard, schools work more effectively together, and students benefit from a connected network of adults all working toward the same goal — helping them engage confidently in learning and thrive both online and in the classroom.
When supporting full-time enrolled students, collaboration becomes even more essential. Emma describes this culture of teamwork as one of the most valuable parts of working at VSV. Whether speaking with teaching colleagues, the Wellbeing and Inclusion team or external professionals, there is a shared commitment to finding the best ways to support students.
“I love being able to turn to colleagues and say, ‘This is what’s happening — what can I try?’ There’s always someone willing to collaborate and support.”
This approach allows Emma to focus on teaching and learning while knowing there is a broader team supporting each student’s wellbeing and individual needs. Families are also central to that process, particularly in online learning environments where parents and carers are often alongside students each day. Their insights provide valuable context about how a child is feeling, engaging and responding to learning.
“Parents know their children best. The more conversations we have, the better we can understand how to support each student as an individual. The more insight we share, the less we rely on assumptions. That’s when we can really respond to students in the ways they need.”
As we celebrate collaboration, we encourage families to support their child in completing the Attitudes to School Survey to strengthen the learning community that supports every student. Take the survey. Students are reminded to refer to the ‘2026 AtoSS’ email that included their unique survey student ID and log-in information. (These are different to VSV log-in credentials.) Please contact your Learning Advisor if you have any questions.