Learning and Teaching 

Lockdown Recovery

On the back of the many interruptions from coronavirus in 2020, we continue to be challenged by the uncertainty and ‘interruptions’ it has brought us in 2021. With our recent lockdown not long finished, there was a palpable sense of relief at the school with students returning on site. Schools as places are a mere shadow of their lively selves without students on site and learning, so it was a welcome sight to see the students coming through the gates once more.

In moving into lockdown, we have been very explicit regarding what we are endeavouring to do to counter the change in circumstances. Firstly, we are endeavouring to ensure that the wellbeing of all students and teachers is maintained; we do this through providing time to transition whilst also checking in and maintaining contact from the first day or remote learning.

Secondly, we endeavour to maintain continuity of learning. We do this by ensuring that learning activities are posted online, students attend classes as expected each day, and school continues ‘as normal’ albeit in a remote and virtual setting. Whilst acknowledging that working remotely can be unsettling, we aim to work closely with families to ensure that no students are disadvantaged whilst abiding by regulations put in place by the government.

We are also well aware of the challenges that remote learning presents for parents. We are grateful for the support and guidance offered to the students throughout lockdown and thank you for your advocacy, care and partnership in maintaining a suitable learning environment. It is once again representative of the partnership we share in educating the students of St Bede’s College.

As a final point, I wanted to emphasise another focus for all of our community to be aware of. As this is the second short-term lockdown- and hopefully the last- it does present a good opportunity to explicitly look at how our students bounce back from the adversity that the lockdown presents. Through discussion and observation, it provides all of us an insight into the resilience that our students possess and presents a great opportunity to talk about the students experience and what they need to do to continue to learn. Getting the boys to talk about how they can be supported in difficult times, what they believe they did well and what they think they would do differently are all great questions to ask. Building independent learners- those who learn by utilising their skills and accessing resources through their own initiative- is a goal of education, and creates a disposition that will serve all individuals for the rest of their lives. 

Brenden Mair

Deputy Principal

Teaching and Learning