Welcome
Welcome to issue 1 of the St James Schools’ Digital Transformation Journey newsletter in which progress, updates and achievements will be shared for our 1-2-1 device programme. In this instalment, we will capture the Teacher Training Days, Parent Information Meetings and teaching structures which are currently being developed in each school.
Why Digital Transformation?
Because it extends our ability to open our hearts and minds to the world around us.
Digital Journey Reminder!
Buy your iPad by 7 July to ensure your child’s device is ready for September 2024.
Inset Day round-up
On Tuesday 16 April, all three schools took part in our First Teacher Training Inset Day. With support from our partner Academia and our designated Apple Learning Technologist – Vickie Bacon, staff developed their confidence in using iPad by focusing on the ‘Top 5 for the Digital Classroom’ – as illustrated below:
Workflow
Assessment
Apple Classroom app
Accessibility features
Apple TV and Airplay for effective modelling and explanation
It has been great to hear such a large amount of positive feedback from staff following the training, which showcased the limitless possibilities our Digital Transformation will bring to enhance provision for our young people - both inside and outside the classroom.
Furthermore, it was great to see how much more united the schools have become through this initiative. Teachers from across the three schools will freely reach out to ask questions, share knowledge and simply keep each other up to speed with their school’s development. The unified IT provision and choice of same device across the three schools has made it more possible to see St James as one entity, delivering one ethos and teaching experience across two sites. Teachers also commented on how much more efficient their lesson preparation will eventually become, reducing their workload through enhancing their teaching methods. There was a certain buzz of excitement when the personalised iPADS were being handed out to each teacher both at Ashford and Olympia.
Inset Day in pictures
Thank you to all teaching staff for attending the training and your valuable input.
“I can now see how printing worksheets will become a thing of the past. I was also pleased to see the controls available through the Classroom app to aid classroom management.”
The Digital Leaders Programme
The training programme for the Digital Leaders from each school started back in February before half term. Each school identified their Digital Leaders who have taken on the challenge of becoming the in-house trainers for the rest of the teachers at their school. Each week, the Digital Leaders have a 50-min training session with our designated Apple Learning technologist, which will continue throughout the summer term.
Senior girls and preparatory school training afternoon.
Senior boys training morning.
A fully engaged teaching community!