GEOGRAPHY

WAKEFIELD WHERE GIRLS HAVE COMPASSION

GEOGRAPHY Looking back. Looking forward...

At the time of writing, thousands of school children across the UK are being taught at home as the Covid-19 pandemic brings the life we knew to a temporary halt. Ordinarily I would include lots of photographs of students enjoying field trips during the summer term but this year these have been replaced by virtual online courses many of which the Field Studies Council have organised. Here are some reminders of what we did last year at Flamborough, Leeds, Malham and Clapham Beck…

Last year I wrote about how the Department had integrated Google, Firefly and other technologies to enhance the student experience and better meet their individual learning needs. These resources have been so very beneficial recently and as far as possible student learning has been uninterrupted. I am ever so pleased with how each member of the Geography Department has fully embraced a steep learning curve concerning remote teaching and the use of facilities such as Google Meet and Loom. This will enhance learning when we return to school as we have all discovered new ways of working and created many high quality resources.

TEACHER PERSPECTIVES ON LOCKDOWN

In just a matter of weeks, the ‘new normal’ has given our professional lives an almighty shake-up – who among us thought we’d soon be attending departmental meetings from home and seeing one geography teacher with a new beard!

Mr H Hargreaves

“Personally, I’ve been enjoying some aspects of the experience. I like finding new and better ways of working and I have learnt ever so much. Google Meet has facilitated my lessons and I have really enjoyed working directly with the students and the many discussions I have had with them. I have learnt much concerning the use of YouTube and Loom to enhance my teaching and this is something I will continue with on our return. As the students say... it is wonderful to be able to pause me! My students have been wonderful and it is their enthusiasm, good humour and cooperation that has made my life during lockdown so much easier and I am so very grateful to them. I am looking forward to getting back to school and working face to face with them again.”

Mrs S Heptinstall

“During lockdown I have tried to replicate normal lessons, so from that point of view, life has continued. I have also enjoyed being in regular contact with students.They have been a joy to teach during this difficult time. However, I have to say that I have missed the hustle and bustle of the normal school day. I never thought that I’d miss being part of the busy lesson changeover in our lively corridors or the ‘packing away’ at the end of a lesson in readiness for the next. The sheer physicality, liveliness and noise of normal school life seems a valuable commodity now, something to be cherished.”

Mr R Tribe

“I have, in common with many people, found lockdown to be both more fulfilling and less fulfilling at the same time. I have loved not having to travel by car and have enjoyed cycling and walking again, whilst discovering my local landscape and getting a real sense of place. I have learned a huge amount in the time we have been away from school, not least being the sheer amount of time it takes to plan online lessons as well as the fact that I don’t like sitting in front of a computer very much! Whilst I am not a fan of noise or crowds I do miss the interaction with students and throughout this tricky time I have been so impressed with the perseverance and general enthusiasm of the girls who I am fortunate enough to teach. Their cheerful emails and sheer hard work have been most welcome as I have sat for hours at my dining table and I am fortunate that my lasting memories of this period will be more positive as a result.”

Geography Cake Competition!

These were displayed on Information Morning back in October 2019 and as you can see there were some wonderful entries. I would like to thank everyone that contributed in any way. Pupils so often exceed any of my expectations.

1ST PRIZE: Molly Inglesfield 7KFR

2ND PRIZE: Isla Darby & Sophie Crawshaw 7GVM