We are very excited to welcome students back to school on the 25th of October and the 1st of November! It’s not quite “back to normal”, because we’ll have to make some changes to who can come on campus, how we distance ourselves, and mask-wearing for staff and some students, but it will be great to be back in classrooms. The principal’s memorandum sent September 29th has all the current information, and is summarised in the table below. Please contact the school if you have questions.
Lockdown. Remote learning. Balancing work with supervising kids' study. It doesn’t seem any easier this time around! For most of us, attempting to meet work demands while supervising and assisting with online learning is no mean feat. With the news last week that online learning is expected to continue for at least four weeks of term four, it might be a good time to consider if there are any tweaks that can be made to assist in getting though this time.
Here are some ideas of changes that might help balance your competing priorities and make lockdown learning more manageable into term four.
1. Create a visual schedule
With much of children’s regular routines changed in some way, getting together in the morning with your kids to create a "visual schedule" can be a great help. Using a whiteboard or large sheet of paper, you and your kids can plan out the day and break it down into small, manageable chunks.
Make sure you have put in meal breaks, time outside and social catch-ups to help kids have things to look forward to alongside the school-provided lesson content.
2. Change locations up
Everyone becomes restless sitting for long periods of time in the one spot, but even more so for younger children. Everyone can benefit from a change in scenery when it comes to study spots. With the warmer weather it can be a great option to set up outside for tasks that don’t require a device and Wi-Fi.
3. Make chill out spaces
No matter how much room in your house, the walls can feel like they’re closing in for all of us, and children too. Creating a "chill out space" can be as simple as making a classic blanket fort or finding a favourite spot outside for your child to claim as their own. Try and make the space schoolwork and device-free.
4. Be kind to yourself
Teachers understand parents are struggling and we do not expect children to be able to accomplish the same things they would be able to in a classroom setting.
Remember that you're not a teacher and no one's asking you to be one. We want families to be their children's cheer squads, not their personal trainers. Encouragement and support for your kids are more important at the moment than getting into conflict over unfinished work.
5. Reach out for help
Everyone's under a lot of pressure in these uncertain times and many people need a bit more support than they usually would. We should continue to focus on reaching out to each other and uplifting others wherever we can.
Kylie Smith, School Psychologist and Michelle Gillis, Wellbeing Co-ordinator are available each Tuesday throughout lockdown, including the holidays, to connect with parents and students via google meet.
Sessions can be individual or in groups.
Bookings can made via email, michelle@emmaus.act.edu.au.
Luke Willsmore
Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning