Remote Learning

Starting at Kilvington remotely

By Ran Chiba, Year 8

It is difficult enough being an international student starting at a new school, in another country and away from family and friends. Imagine what it is like for a young student starting at a new school remotely.

Ran Chiba had planned to start Year 7 at Kilvington at the beginning of 2020. Sadly, COVID changed those plans so Ran commenced her school year remotely, and it was challenging! 

Q. What were the challenges you faced starting a new school during 2020?

A. It was so hard to use the remote learning application on my computer for the first time, as well as communicate with teachers, make friends and understand the class tasks.

Q. What did Kilvington do to try to make this easier for you?

A. The School set regular online meetings to help me catch up. The teachers were really caring. They helped by talking with me.

Q. You managed to achieve very good academic results in your first semester of Remote Learning study. How did you motivate yourself?

A. I kept motivated by relaxing outside a lot, and made time to find my own calm at the end of the day.

Q. What support from your family helped you the most?

A. They frequently cared for me by chatting with me and sometimes making food that I like :).

Q. Did you manage to make any friends during remote learning? If so, how?

A. It was a really tough thing for me to make friends. During remote learning, a classmate reached out via email and I started chatting with her. 

Q. How has your experience been in 2021 now that you are studying on-campus? What are the biggest benefits?

A. I'm really grateful to meet people face-to-face and learn in the same classroom. The biggest benefit of studying on-campus is that I can easily ask questions of friends and my teachers.