From the Deputy

Distance Learning Survey Feedback

Dear Families,

The Distance Learning framework we have designed (and continue to adapt) has been the result of countless hours spent by staff over the last 3 weeks to adapt what is a complex, organic and highly skilled environment into something that can be delivered remotely to students.  Every decision that has been made, learning tool that has been used and word that has been communicated to families has been strategic and carefully considered.  I want to take this opportunity to assure families that we as a school are very well placed when it comes to distance learning and there is much to celebrate.

The staff of St. Anthony's thank you for completing the recent survey that was sent out to gather feedback regarding your experience of Distance Learning so far.  Happily, more than half of our families were able to provide us with information regarding what was working well and where improvement lay.  Results from the survey are presented below:

When asked how we could improve our Distance Learning Program families made of the following comments:

- My main concern is the time that it is taking to complete work. Our younger child has had more requirements than our older child and so it is taking hours longer to complete work.

- Guidelines for length of time required for each lesson would be helpful. - Consistency in tool usage across year levels for example use of tools for

Year 6 and Year 3 vary.

- Consistency in how to submit and access all work. Hapara, Workbook, Google drive, Seesaw etc.. it would be helpful if all subjects and all classes could submit and deliver work in the same way.

- Streamline messaging and communication

-There's a lot for us to get our heads around and it was very overwhelming at the start.

When asked if there was anything else that families anticipated they may need, the following responses were given:

-Student and teacher interaction twice a day would be beneficial

-Support with accessing technology for our child to use at home

-Not at this stage. I want to take this opportunity to thank all staff for the hard work that has gone in to making distance learning possible. It is a challenging time for all of us- but we really appreciate your dedication.

-A huge thank you to you all. Everyone (teachers, kids, parents and society) are working through something that is new and there will be mistakes/ learnings for all along the way. Thank you for your time and effort to set the kids up for this.

In response to your feedback we have made the following improvements to this week's Distance Learning Plans (DLPs):

-included a time frame for all tasks

-included the time for each classes' Google Meet sessions in the weekly overviews

-marked tasks as a priority to help families identify which ones are the 'must do' versus the 'if we can' learning experiences each day

-loaned more than 45 devices to families to support access for students at home 

-adjusted the volume of tasks provided to students across the school to provide greater consistency for all 

This week teachers also began daily Google Meet sessions with students as a means of touching base, taking the roll and talking students through learning tasks.  Mrs Carlei has been noted popping in and out of the Meet sessions too, much to the student's delight.

On Tuesday, staff collaborated on our next steps for Distance Learning, exploring best practice when providing students with self-paced recorded tasks to complete.  It was a productive professional learning session and staff are looking forward to sharing these videos with students  next week.  Our intervention staff have also been working on adapting intervention programs so that they can be delivered to students in an online format.  These lessons will also begin next week.  

We are fortunate to have such highly skilled and adaptive educators working with our students.  There is a lot happening for everyone and staff are working tirelessly each day to continue to provide the best quality education possible for all of our children.  Your understanding, patience and partnership are invaluable in these times.

Our journey towards improvement is one that never ends.  Please continue to feel welcome to communicate what is working for your family and also let us know when you may need assistance.  We're all in this together.

with best wishes,

Peta Overbury

Deputy Principal

Learning and Teaching Leader