Caroline Rennie, Deputy Head of School
In a post-COVID 19 era, returning to school this term looks much different from anything we have known. Mindful of the need for the safety for students, yet also addressing the need to continue education, we enter a new era of blended learning where we can address both together.
Under a new model of ‘blended learning’, we divide class time between face-to-face learning and online learning, working within the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), in an attempt to deliver the best experience to our students.
Channelling the strengths of blended learning
Blended learning addresses many of the challenges presented by COVID-19, introducing a new model of education which balances between academic continuity and student safety. It combines the strengths of studying at school and at home. One of the greatest takeaways for our students has been the chance to work independently. They are very positive when it comes to taking ownership of their learning and focusing on their individual pathways.
We can create more opportunities for learning in new ways. We have found students who are shy now speak up more during class. In this kind of collaboration, everyone has a voice. Also, we focused on health and wellness, and exchanging time for electives like computer club or robotics for social time with teachers to develop healthy social connections.
Most importantly, we have found parents to be more involved with at-home learning for their child. From reading a book, to learning numbers, parents can note where their children are most engaged and be involved in the skill-building first-hand.
Working closely with parents
Creating a back-to-school timetable that also honours the 30% capacity rule means preparing a considered plan which accommodates the varying needs of families, whether they have one child or five children at our school.
In some families, both parents work outside home and need to drop their child at school. Catering to different needs, we need consistency in our timetable to allow parents to plan.
At the end of the last school year, we scheduled virtual communication sessions over the summer holidays with parents, students and staff on a bi-weekly basis to consolidate what is happening and our plans moving forward.
Consistency is key
Making the most of the 30% capacity rule, we manage our educators between online classes and in-person classes. While our teachers are amazing and dedicate extra time, we want to ensure they are not overworked to maintain the quality of education.
We have ensured consistency so that parents know what time their child needs to be at school, being allowed up to three days. That way, parents can organise their day around a set schedule.
Enforcing a safe environment is at the core of bringing our community back to school. We follow health and safety procedures in line with our UK schools’ risk assessment, which helps reassure students and their families.
The first days of returning to campus, our staff will be dedicated to teach students how to use their mask, particularly the younger ones. We teach them that this is a practice they must do for their own safety and for the safety of others.
We are very lucky to have moved into our fantastic new landmark campus, which also helps facilitate our precautionary measures and safety standards. Spanning 60,000 square metres, with self-contained buildings for Early Childhood, Lower, Middle and High School, we avoid cross-contamination issues with different group ‘bubbles’. Our campus lends itself perfectly to implementing effective social distancing.