Maintaining strong connections

At the start of each year, there is an excited buzz in the Middle Syndicate, when a sea of children and parents descend on the Preparatory School, ready to start another year of learning.

However, 2022 was very different, with COVID-19 restrictions meaning parents were unable to accompany their children into the Years 4–6 classrooms, says Head of Middle Syndicate, Meg Feller. “We usually make important face-to-face connections with parents at the beginning of the year, but with them not able to come into school, and missing important events such as the Swimming Sports and Meet the Teacher week, we’ve had to think differently about how we connect and communicate.”

Meg says regular contact with parents throughout the term has helped to reassure them and keep them up to date with their child’s learning and progress. “We emailed the Meet the Teacher booklets to parents rather than handing them out in person, completed a number of Parent-Teacher interviews online as well as in person, have communicated via phone and email, and continue to use platforms such as SeeSaw, to share information with them about what is happening in the classroom.” Meg says everyone has adapted and is making the best of the situation. “We are doing everything we can to ensure everyone is feeling part of the classroom and community, and that parents know we are still available and accessible.”

Parents were asked to complete a survey during the first week of school to tell the teachers about their child and what their goals were for the year. “Normally we would have these kinds of discussions in person, but the survey was a great alternative to ensure our parents still have a voice and know their input is valued.”

With all children from Year 4 up wearing masks in the classroom, connections with the children have also been challenging for the teachers. “Between every period we go outside, get some fresh air, and chat one-onone with the students, which helps.”

Meg says the children have coped surprisingly well with the mask wearing and other changes to their routine due to the COVID-19 restrictions. “It has been especially challenging for our Year 4 students, who have made the big step up to the Middle Syndicate from the Junior School without having their parents at school to support them. We haven’t had one sad or tearful child though, which I put down to the thorough transition programme we run for Year 3 students as they prepare to move up. We are extremely proud of the independence and self-management they are demonstrating.”

While getting to know parents over a phone call or email is more challenging than making connections face-to-face,

Above: Alex O’Neill, Lara Isar and Bella Dean (all Year 6) enjoying an outdoor break. Below: Tayla McFadyen (Year 4) unpacking her bag.