Whatever else happens, this is a time when we are going to learn a lot about communities – how we contribute to them, how we hold each other up and how we pull together.
Keeping our students learning
We have had a tremendous start to our new mode of delivery of learning online. That has only been possible because the students, staff and parents have been so committed to making it work. Many parents have expressed their appreciation for the efforts the teachers have made and the quality of what is being delivered. Teachers themselves have been pleasantly surprised by how effective this unfamiliar mode of teaching has been although it demands more of them, not less. They have also very much appreciated your positive feedback.
We are aware, though, that it is a work in progress and we have been reviewing feedback from girls, parents and staff so we can revise and adjust arrangements as required. Clearly, sitting in front of a screen for six hours would not be good for either teachers or students and nor would a model where students complete all work offline and simply submit it for feedback without any personal contact. We are reviewing the experiences of this week to ensure we can get a balance that works each day in an age-appropriate way for students from five to eighteen years old.
We are constantly reminded, though, even at times like these, of why we love working with young people. Here’s a remote learning gem from today’s Year 3 project on space ship designs:
Girl A: What’s important?
Girl B: Maybe toilet paper?
Parents, too, are sharing some of the joy. For example, PE lessons have been a highlight even for the girls who are not usually quite so enthusiastic. As one parent reported to us: ‘She is engaged, happy and working to her daily schedule at her desk, including PE and fitness sessions (I never thought I’d see her doing exercise without me asking!)’. Some parents tell us the whole family has been joining in with the PE lessons, to the tune of much giggling.
Just as parents have expressed their appreciation for teachers, we also want to convey our appreciation for your assistance. Most of the older girls are perfectly capable of managing their day on their own under the guidance of their teachers. Some, however, need input from an adult, especially little ones, and we appreciate the patience that parents are showing, especially when they have several children juggling different tasks. As teachers, we fully appreciate how demanding that can be and I congratulate parents on how they, too, have been managing so far.
Right now, I am encouraging everyone – girls, parents, teachers – to be kind to themselves. If something doesn’t work out, it’s not the end of the world. The girls are still learning at an impressive rate even if every task doesn’t come out perfectly. And parents, if it gets too much, please just take a break. We are playing a long game and if you need to make a different choice for your child in that moment, please feel free to do so.
Part of that long game is keeping routines in place. This is important to preserve the quality of learning and also the girls’ wellbeing. The girls are doing well but in the last day or so some of the older ones have been pushing their luck, rolling out of bed minutes before lessons are due to start and trying to avoid uniform etc. They would do this in their own way on a normal school day, of course, but I ask parents to be alert to the potential for slippage here given that the family’s habits have changed so quickly. Your daughters will, as always, need your help to get them started and keep them on track. Routines will be more and more important as time goes on.
Teachers and tutors are checking in with girls each day and our wellbeing programs are being adapted to address issues which are of higher relevance now that the girls are largely working from home. With so many children now working online across Australia, the eSafety Commissioner has also produced some excellent resources to equip parents and protect children, including a COVID-19 online safety kit for parents and carers, which has links to some good resources such as this blog on helping to protect children from online predation and abuse. eSafety also has information on developing good habits and supporting kids while they are online.
Supporting our Parents
We find ourselves in anxious and uncertain times. We understand some parents are already experiencing significant disruption to their business or employment. It is particularly difficult to plan for the future given that the duration and extent of the disruption is far from clear.
We do not want any girl to have to leave the School owing to current events. Please be assured we are already considering what avenues are available to us to best support our parents experiencing financial hardship. The Council of Governors is meeting next week and will be considering the impact of the pandemic on the School's families, our revenue and expenses, and how best to offer assistance to members of our community who need help.
It will take time to understand the financial impact of COVID-19 on us all. The effects may be felt over years rather than months. We ask for your patience as we develop a response, but in the meantime, if you have urgent concerns please let me know confidentially via Elizabeth.Stone@queenwood.nsw.edu.au.
Supporting those on the front line
There are some amongst our community of parents and Old Girls who are already on the front line of the nation’s response to this pandemic. All of them are working at high speed and under great pressure. Some who will be treating patients in high dependency and ICU are preparing to isolate themselves for an extended period to protect their families. In these circumstances, we are pleased that their daughters have been able to continue their education under the supervision of our staff, as required, and we wish to support them in any way we can.
On behalf of the entire Queenwood community, I offer our thanks for their dedication. We hold those families in our thoughts as they prepare for this next crucial period.
Out of the mouths of babes…
Finally, there is some wisdom to be gleaned from our children. One of the Year 12s delighted her teacher with this message:
I just thought I would say a huge thank you to you for continuing to do your very best in the interest of all of us during such difficult times. You guys don't get as much credit as you should and we all appreciate it very, very much – it’s definitely a challenge for all of us to get out heads around the new circumstances!!
This is a great time to follow her example and reach out with encouragement to others.
And from some Year 8s who were invited by their Tutor to reflect on gratitude:
I am grateful for...
- I am grateful for dogs and the beach and family and friends.
- I am grateful for my family, friends, and that I have access to education.
- I am grateful for having electronic devices and resources to do school from home.
- I am grateful for food, family, chocolate, TV, online school, not having coronavirus.
- I am grateful for food, water, support, shelter, education, friends and family, feeling safe.
- I am grateful for doctors and nurses working to save lives.
- I am grateful for the good things in my life because some people in the world don't have access to them.
- I am grateful for being healthy, my family and friends, education, having food and clean drinking water.
- I am grateful for having toilet paper and a healthy family.
Wishing you all health and strength and peace,
Ms Elizabeth Stone
Principal