FEATURE FEATURES
STRONGER TOGETHER College traditions unite the community during the coronavirus pandemic John Waggott, Grade 5, wears his uniform every day.
16 The Shield Spring 2020 • Royal St. George’s College
John starts off every morning in the layby to say hello to Mr. Beatty and his teachers. It's the highlight of his day.
BY SUMNER & LANG
L
ike Stephen Beatty, Grade 5 student John Waggott starts each school day at the layby. Before the transition to distance learning, this was the time when the Headmaster greeted students, parents and faculty in person as they arrived. Families would chat briefly with each other and everyone shared a hello, a wave, a smile. It has always been a special time to connect as a community before the day begins. Now learning from home, John joins the virtual layby from a laptop he recently inherited from his mother. “Classes start at 9:00 am, but John arrives ‘at school’ every morning at 8:30,” said mom Patricia Quintero. “He gets up early, puts on his school tie, and says hello to Mr. Beatty and his teachers. It’s a highlight of his day.” Like every other RSGC student, John then begins his classes remotely. He has quickly adapted to the technological systems and academic expectations of the College’s new Distance Learning Plan. From John’s perspective, one of the great upsides has been finding his way around his new computer and becoming more independent. “As much as he misses playing with his friends and being physically at school, John has also felt empowered by this change in his life,” said Patricia. “We spent time as a family setting up all our work spaces and coming up with a schedule that fits everyone. I also help John with his organizational skills and time management. But beyond that, he
Patricia says her son feels empowered by the change in his life.
really wants to do everything himself: figure out the technology, complete his school work, manage any of the problemsolving needed. It’s amazing how much he has matured in just a few months.” While no school can predict a pandemic, the foundation for the collaborative and independent learning John engages in at home was laid by his teachers well in advance. Starting in the Junior School, the boys learn the skills required to work productively and respectfully in groups and also to plan out their independent projects. Now learning remotely, they can call on the skills and habits they had honed in the classroom. “Our distance plan extends the learning essentials that the boys start working on the moment they arrive in our care,”
said Anna Magor, Director of Teaching and Learning in the Junior School. “But it’s not only about transferring good learning habits to the home. It’s also about maintaining the close relationships and connections between teachers and students and among the boys. Learning is as much social and emotional as it is intellectual. Maintaining community and inclusion is a priority that runs in parallel with continued instruction of the STEM subjects, the humanities, physical education, music and so on.” With parent feedback gathered on how to build the most effective timetable, as well as research into best practices around the world, Anna is confident that the school is offering a highly effective online teaching and learning
The Shield Spring 2020 • Royal St. George’s College 17
