3 minute read
Leadership in Lockdown - The Staff Experience
Guiding St Paul’s During the Pandemic
The last couple of years have been some of the most challenging in the history of St Paul’s. Through hard work, understanding, compassion and support, school staff, students and parents have done an exceptional job navigating through the difficulties of extended periods of remote learning.
St Paul’s is blessed to have at the helm a dedicated and experienced team of educators who have never lost sight of what makes St Paul’s such a special place for students to learn.
As we approach the end of 2021, members of the school’s senior staff share their thoughts on remote learning:
Julie McDonough
International Students and Homestay Coordinator
“Remote learning was particularly challenging for many of our international students, both here and in China. For international students studying locally at St Paul’s, as well as being far from home, they also had to manage with learning online in a second language. Our Year 11 students in China have been undertaking remote learning for all of 2021, due to border closures. Despite the challenges they have faced, these students have displayed incredible tenacity and commitment. Their teachers have also worked tirelessly to keep students engaged. During remote learning, in addition to normal classes, Mrs Dunn ran Lunch Clubs for our international students, where the students could “drop in” and get help, ask questions, or just have a chat. She also provided one-on-one tutoring sessions.
The remote learning period has reinforced the strong sense of community for which St Paul’s is renowned. Teachers, homestay families and parents in other parts of the world, have come together to encourage our international students to do their best, regardless of circumstances.”
Corinne Day
Deputy Head of Junior School, Curriculum and PYP Coordinator
“Remote learning has taught me that it doesn’t matter what is thrown at us as a school community, we will always strive to be rigorous, positive, engaging and relevant in the way we teach with our Christian worldview. This is at the core of everything we think, feel and do.
It has been a challenging time and we relied heavily on technology to help us stay in touch with our families. We maintained our bonds with families by using clear communication, email checkin’s, Parent/Teacher interviews, phone calls, Seesaw posts and regular Teams meeting.
There are many positives that have come out of remote learning. It has been lovely to see parents teaching their children. I believe for some families it has brought them closer together. The biggest surprise is seeing some of our students who are very quiet in the classroom show their true colours as they shared their learning through Seesaw posts.” “While there have been challenges, I’ve been delighted to see learning being enhanced by significant online experiences including in conjunction with Penrith City Council, CSIRO and performing artists. We have reduced our traveling carbon footprint, yet virtually visited and appreciated enchanting and important aspects of our world. Remote learning has allowed us to focus on and further develop our virtual strengths.
Prior to this year’s periods of remote learning, the Secondary School Library was one of the busiest places at St Paul’s. Throughout lockdown we maintained a virtual Library and provided online, one-on-one tutoring for students. It has been a privilege to remove barriers to learning as we’ve provided individualised assistance.
Our experiences with remote learning have been a catalyst for more quickly contemplating how we can use virtual learning to provide wonderful educational opportunities for students.”
