Secondary students adapt well; Home Learning in the Preparatory School and Pre-school

Reeve Williams (Year 11) adapts to a new way of learning.

Secondary students adapt well

Secondary School students have adapted well to the new remote learning environment, says Head of Secondary School, Evert van Florenstein. “I’ve been delighted with how well students have coped, adapted, and got on with it. Huge credit must also go to our teaching staff for so quickly changing the way in which they deliver their lessons, and for having an incredibly positive and willing attitude. They have rolled up their sleeves and are delivering a quality learning experience to our students.”

During each week, all students have two compulsory contact lessons with their subject teachers via Microsoft Teams, a platform on which they have been guided to use positively and productively. These sessions provide an opportunity for the students to connect with their teachers, ask questions about tasks set, and clarify any expectations. In the other two lessons each week per subject, students are expected to engage with the tasks they have been set.

Every Thursday at 10.00am students are expected to join their tutor for a 30-minute online contact session, which provides the opportunity to ask questions, and also catch up with fellow students in the tutor group.

Year 9–10 students are studying their core subjects only during this period, while the Year 11–13 students continue with their NCEA studies on the online platform.

Student engagement and attendance has continued to be monitored for all classes in the remote learning environment, with teachers taking rolls, and recording engagement data.

With so many students missing their regular co-curricular activities, a number of online resources have been shared as part of the Enrichment Programme, with a focus on sporting or cultural activities they could engage with at home.

“While the delivery of remote learning has provided us with an enormous challenge, and many people have been put under pressure, there has also been an opportunity for us to undertake professional development we wouldn’t normally have done. This situation is showing us what we are capable of, and also that we are a strong community, which has really pulled together when it counts,” says Evert.

Home Learning in the Preparatory School and Pre-school

Preparatory School Principal, Jonathan Bierwirth, says a range of different online approaches have been implemented in the Preparatory School and Pre-school to meet the needs of the children of various ages. “All of the teachers are working extremely hard. They are diligent and creative, and delivering their programmes with supportive and encouraging communication.”

Jonathan says the Home Learning programme has been working well across the Year 8 team, with a high level of attendance and work completion. There has been also almost full attendance every day in each Year 7 class, which started with a class Microsoft Teams video call at 8.45am, followed by a 9.00am Mathematics class call. “At both Years 7 and 8, the learning has been engaging and varied. The programme for the day is posted each morning and there are many opportunities for the children to share and connect with their classmates and teachers,” says Jonathan.

Students in the Middle Syndicate have been utilising a variety of platforms for their learning, including email, interactive online links, Seesaw, workbooks, OneDrive links, and Microsoft Team video chats. Daily routines and expectations, specialist lessons, and fun challenges are sent by morning emails or announcements from classroom teachers.

In the Junior Syndicate, Seesaw is being used extensively by teachers to share activities and provide feedback, with email another form of communication. Families are sending in photos and their children’s completed work.

Families of Pre-school children have also responded well to the communications from the Pre-school staff, who are utilising Educa to share experiences and ideas. Lots of ‘parent stories’ have been shared to the Pre-school, highlighting the children’s many at home learning activities.

Following an online Art lesson with Preparatory School Art teacher, Pip Dinsenbacher, Leona Smart (Year 2) created an artwork at home she named The Rainbow of the Hydrangeas.

Jack Callaway (Year 1) working on his story writing and phonics.