Parent Corner

Year 10 Pastoral Guardian

Learning from Home – How can You Support your Year 10 Student?

Although lockdown and Learning from Home can be an incredibly challenging time for students and parents/caregivers, it can also provide us with several opportunities.  It allows us to have more down time, have more family time, spend more time outdoors, or discover a new interest, craft, or talent.  This unpredictable time calls for great flexibility and resilience from us all.  As all home circumstances are different, so are students’ approaches to Learning from Home.  Some students become more focused and independent, hence Learning from Home may be easier for them; however, some students struggle with the non-face-to-face time with their teachers or peers and miss the classroom environment.  Whichever category your child falls into, please remind them they are not alone.

 

During this time of uncertainty, we all need to stay positive and look after ourselves and each other.  We understand that, as parents/caregivers during lockdown, you are juggling family and your own work commitments, along with supporting your students with their learning.  You probably discovered last lockdown what worked well for you as a family; however, here are a few tips that may help you to support your child while learning from home:                                   

  1. Establish a routine and expectations together with your child.
  2. Choose a good place for them to learn.
  3. Encourage your child to connect with their Pastoral Guardian, teachers, Home Room teacher, and friends.
  4. Help your child to own their learning and be independent and encourage them to ask for help when required.
  5. Begin and end the day by checking in with your child.
  6. Establish times for quiet and reflection for your child.
  7. Encourage physical activity, exercise, and time in the outdoors.
  8. Monitor on-screen time, especially when not in classes or completing school work.

Students are encouraged to connect to the Community Zone in Moodle each morning for fun activities and to connect to the Mount Alvernia community.  Below are some extra activities that you can do with your family, while at home for extended periods of time.

 

If you see that your child is behaving differently or struggling with Learning from Home - please contact me, her Home Room teacher, or our school counsellors.  We are all in this together, therefore it is important to reach out for support.

 

I wish you and your family all the best during this unpredictable time - stay safe, healthy, and connected.  Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

 

Looking forward to seeing the Year 10 cohort back at school soon.

Teena Christofis

Conversation Starters

Begin and end the day by checking-in with your child:

 

Have you connected to the Year 10 Cohort Teams page?

What subjects do/did you have today?

Are you currently working on any assessments?

Have you printed your Learning from Home timetable and created a study plan?

How far did you go in your class work for today?  Is there anything that you have to finish before next lesson?

What are the positives o Learning from Home for you?

What are you struggling with and how can I help you?

What can make tomorrow better?

Do you need any resources or equipment to help you while at home?

Do you know who to contact if you need help with school work or mental health?

 

Activities

Animal House brings the Zoo to you - Live Stream of Zoos in Victoria.

 

3D Animals come to life in your house with Google

 

Let your students do some cooking.  Super easy meals that your daughter can make herself with things you should have in your pantry.

 

Positive Inspirations for all the family

· Daily affirmations for 2021

 

Creative ideas

· 28 Cool arts and crafts ideas for teens

https://diyprojectsforteens.com/arts-and-crafts-ideas-for-teens/

· Online art classes for all levels

· National Gallery of Art (NGA) kids art zone for Ipad

 

Outdoor ideas

· Go into the sunshine every day – read a book, go for a walk (1.5 metres away from others

and don’t forget your mask), water the plants, try growing your own fruit and vegetables

 

Exercise daily

· Thirteen free online workouts to try while you are stuck at home

 

Mindfulness

· Smiling Mind app

· Mindfulness for teens: 

· 11 Mindfulness exercises and activities for teens

 . 11 Mindfulness Activities and Exercises for Teens in 2021 - Happier Human

 

Create a photo collage and email/text to grandparents, family, friends as you can not visit, but let them know you still care and thinking of them.

 

Disconnect (from technology – including TV, mobile, social media) and connect with your family - (talk, laugh, listen to music, play board games/cards/charades, read, write, sing, or dance)

 

Tips to study/work from home:  Stick to a daily routine – keep study/work area separate to your living area and bedroom, have a good night’s sleep, have set study times, change out of PJs in the morning, have meal breaks away from school work, communicate with your teachers and peers, take regular breaks, continue to interact with friends and reward yourself.