Deputy Principal's Update
“Learning is more effective when it is an active rather than a passive process. .."
Kurt Lewin
Dear Parents
As we once again move into another period of Remote Learning, we recognise the challenges that it has for all members of the community. I am so appreciative of the efforts our whole staff have gone to in once again providing learning that can be accessed in a variety of interesting ways. For our families it is so important to keep in touch, please call out if you need help or support.
Since we first encountered this largely unknown way of learning last year, we have continued to adapt, refine and flip the way we provide resources and student engagement. As part of this, at the end of term 2 this year, we again asked our parents for feedback in order to see what does and doesn't work. Below is some of your feedback which we discuss and use in continuing to adapt the way we present remote learning.
Our thanks for providing us with your information and most particularly the immensely positive comments you gave about our staff and our school. It is encouraging for us to have such positive feedback. I hope that the information below gives you insight and support in having common ground with other parents and families.
Please continue to give us your feedback and as always we are only a phone call away. We hope to see you all very soon!
Comments:
We enjoyed the flexibility of the timetable. It meant that we could include more personal choice of topics and didn't have to miss out on other learning opportunities like outings/ spontaneous things.
One child could have had a lot more, the other it was a struggle to do anything.
Thank you for allowing the children to have the first week "off" and thank you for altering grade 2 to less online work.
Comments:
I felt the combination kept it interesting and obviously different children prefer different options.
The less zoom meetings the better, they stress my children out.
Having a video call with her teacher/class mates really helped break up the bookwork for her.
This kept it interesting and the concentration span lasted longer.
Great balance.
As it gave us opportunities to mix up tasks , to keep it interesting.
It was good for me, but I also want it to be simple for the classroom teacher. I hope they weren't doing too much!
The school have been fantastic at keeping in touch with me to make sure that I myself am coping as well as the children.
Any questions we had were swiftly answered.
All correspondence was great and organised.
We felt very supported by the school.
Lots of communication…. If not too much.
Emails , google class room & class meet ups.
Almost too much.
I am so happy with our school and their management and support for lock downs.
Excellent communication from all.
Was easy to follow.
Would have preferred both grades to be using the learning grid like last time though, instead of grade 1 emailing the daily work.
Everything was easy to find and navigate.
Easy to follow daily schedules and online meetings.
It would be helpful if each year level had the same format and delivery of the daily. timetable. Although grade 2 did not use the online learning website this time, I found it to be much better that the timetable was actually emailed each morning.
Everything was set out so clearly with the task structure and all information needed to complete them.
What have been some positives for you and your child/children about remote learning?
Spending more quality time with the kids.
Working together, getting an idea of how they’re going.
To see how far my child has progressed with his reading and writing.
More family time, outdoor learning.
It’s easy to navigate, delegated tasks are not to overwhelming.
Able to understand what they are learning.
We’ve enjoyed more time together sharing school work and their learning. My children. have showed more discipline, resourcefulness, managed their time better and worked well independently. Together we have enjoyed more free time to do other enjoyable, bonding activities like baking, sewing and creating new spaces at home.
Sorry but we can't think of any. My child is not a fan of remote learning.
Made me aware of subject/that they need help with.
Listening to meets and hearing teachers teach and how my child interacts.
What (if any) have been some challenges for you and your child/children during remote learning?
Keeping the older child going when the younger one is finished.
Need to find the material for them, also parent to stay with them all day.
Not having enough screen for both children to be working on it at once. (Quickly sorted once I collected one from school). Occasionally children missing information or not knowing exactly how to submit something. (Again, sorted with daily google meets).
A challenge is definitely having three kids under 6 to entertain whilst trying to help my preppy do her work in a calm and quiet environment haha.
Concentration being at home was a challenge at times and balancing homeschooling with my work from home also.
In a house with two working parents the stress on the internet connection and the inability to supervise the children while they complete their work makes it challenging.
Finding time, supporting them both.
Managing work and family and siblings all doing online school at once.
Not playing with other kids. Trying to work at the same time as home schooling.
I hope some of the above has given you an insight into how other parents may be finding remote learning - I know personally as a parent how difficult it is (my Year 11 Maths knowledge is not quite there...).
Darren Perry