Middle Years 

Over the last two weeks I have been ringing families to learn more about their remote learning experiences. The families have reported back overwhelmingly positive experiences with the transition to the remote learning program. It has taken everyone a few weeks to settle into the remote learning routines. Parents are looking for the silver lining, have enjoyed spending more time with their children and less time on the road. As one mother said "no lunches and no buses" is a real bonus. There is more time in the day for exercise and enjoying the autumn weather. Many students are learning new skills, including IT skills, and many practical skills on farms.

I am pleased to report that most Middle Years students are working autonomously at home and have accepted the responsibility of the learning. The feedback on the new lesson times has been positive and students are now keeping up with the work set. Last week staff were still adjusting to the amount of work that needed to be set, but I think we have reached a better balance.

This remote learning phase will come to an end and we will reflect with satisfaction on the success of the program. Several parents said they was not worried about her children getting behind, and I agree with this comment. We have a lot of flexibility in the educational system that we do not actually realise. When I was at school, I missed two years of schooling, as we lived overseas, and they could not work out what year levels to put me into when we returned to Australia. We can get very worried about short term phases, but a longer perspective is often healthier as education is a journey. We can 'catch up' once we resume normal 'face to face' lessons.

I came across this article in the holidays in the Sydney Morning Herald, interviewing Michael Spence:

“Sydney University vice-chancellor Michael Spence has urged parents not to worry about children missing school, saying the education system is adaptable and teachers would get children back on track when the COVID-19 crisis is over. Dr Spence, who has eight children ranging in age from babies to adults, said families could have faith that Australian educators would be able to identify and fill gaps in children's learning when classroom teaching resumed. His comments come as parents - particularly those with children in primary school - say they have been overwhelmed with the stress of working from home, and fighting to hold onto vulnerable jobs, while supervising their children's lessons.

"The school system is really adaptable, and teachers are terrific professionals. When this all picks up again, part of what they are going to be doing is making sure people are back on the curve, in one way or another." Dr Spence said schools had proven their adaptability by responding so quickly to the crisis. "In a matter of weeks, the whole model for teaching in many schools was turned on its head, and teachers responded to that challenge," he said. "I don't think the schools are expecting parents to become teachers. They are setting formal work, saying, 'Get through as much as you can, and trust us that, when it's all over, we will be able to sort things out.' "

Link https://www.smh.com.au/national/don-t-worry-about-kids-missing-school-says-university-boss-20200403-p54gx8.html

I am proud of all the Middle Years students. My advice to the Wellbeing Class Teams is “you are doing a wonderful job, keep going, give your best and be gentle with yourself”.

 

Mrs Julia Winter Cooke