Infant School

by Paula Craigie

What a year it has been for the whole world – and likewise Tanglin Trust School. So, my Reflections focus for the Infant School this year will be on our approach to so many “firsts”. I will also highlight how we have coped and continued to flourish despite all that has come our way during the 2019/20 journey.

I think one of our key strengths has always been to demonstrate the qualities we aim to instil in our youngest children; namely to learn new ways of doing things and being flexible in the way we do them.

Firsts for teachers and teaching and learning assistants (TLAs) have included devising and setting up Zoom-based learning, taking individual swab tests, and preparing for and teaching lessons to whole classes of children from their homes. On returning to school, there were further firsts: teaching to smaller classes of children sitting at tables placed one metre apart or, in the case of the Early Years Foundations Stage children, on carefully spaced-out chairs.

Of course, there were also many firsts for the children. Not seeing their friends for extended periods was a huge change, and the ways in which they learned altered significantly, too. Uploading their learning via Seesaw, seeing their teachers and TLAs publish videos and online stories, and taking part in interactive sessions instead of face-to-face lessons were learning experiences in themselves. On returning to school, wearing masks or face shields, and walking through thermal scanners, became the “new normal”, as did standing on blue dots to ensure social distancing.

We have learned to create whole-school assembly videos and to keep colleagues informed of changes and developments through Staff Briefing videos; we have also managed mass car pick-ups, utilising precise systems, an outstanding security team and, of course, a microphone to call children to the front of the line!

Despite the challenges of remote learning and the staggered return to school, we have achieved other “firsts” this year which we are incredibly proud of. We were honoured to be featured in the Curiosity Approach book, From Ordinary to Extraordinary, by Lyndsey Hellyn and Stephanie Bennett.

For the first time, we entered the International Schools Award and were shortlisted for the Initiative to Support Students as Future-Thinking Innovators. Three colleagues attended the exciting and inspiring black-tie event in Covent Garden, London. They were able to share their Early Years approach to learning; an approach that encourages creative, independent, sustainable thinkers and learners.

We have continued to adapt and have maintained strong numbers on roll for August 2020. We are changing the way we do things because we have to. Nursery tasters have changed from conducting on-site visits to creating bespoke storybooks that capture a day in the Nursery at Tanglin. There are also welcome packs which those children will receive in the post. When a few children asked whether they would need to catch a bus to the Junior School, we realised the transition preparations needed a boost. So, the Head

of Year 3 prepared an “all-action” GoPro video to re-enact the journey from the Infant to the Junior School – with key landmarks such as the library, canteen and Eco Vista featuring along the way – accompanied by a catchy tune!

Since there was no travelling for any of our families or colleagues this summer, we were delighted to be able to offer placements in the popular TTS Foundation Summer Programme. This was the perfect way to give back to the community as best we were able. The chosen themes of “Marvellous Magic” and “Innovative Inventors” seemed apt as our teachers and TLAs continued to bring learning to life – and keep our children active and learning – for an extra week during the summer break.

Underpinning this journey have been the Five Ways to Wellbeing – Connect, Take Notice, Keep Learning, Be Active and Give. This set of five actions applied as part of everyday routines and activities, can improve our wellbeing. Good mental and physical health help us all enjoy a healthier and happier life, and ensure we are resilient. So, even during the period of remote learning, our Key Stage 1 student leaders were connected. They maintained their positive relationships, whether they were a Song Leader, a Book Buddy or even a Games Captain, in ways that were both purposeful and meaningful. The Wellbeing Warriors found out about each other’s strengths, interests and personal passions. They shared stories and photographs to demonstrate how they were practicing being kind to themselves as well as to others, by dancing, painting, reading, playing chess or helping around the home with everyday jobs.

Above all, this year has shown that we can flourish despite the challenges we face if we work together and support each other. These are key skills that will help our children as they grow up and mature; concepts that Tanglin Trust School has always adopted and that underpin all we do – we are, after all, Team Tanglin!