Keeping the school community connected has been an integral part of Surfside Primary School’s plans for the second wave of home schooling.
Pupils from the Ocean Grove school have again been learning from home after schools across the state were closed to the majority of students earlier this month.
Surfside principal Peter Walsh says that while remote learning is a challenge for all involved, the school had taken valuable lessons from the first round of home schooling.
“In term two, remote learning was thrust upon us and it was brand new for all. There were elements that we used within the classroom but it was new learning for teachers, students and parents,” he says.
“In version two we have used student, staff and parent feedback to guide our approach for term three.
“As a school we have highlighted three key areas – connection, wellbeing and clarity.
“We feel that if we are able to connect with the students through live teaching and activities with … a focus on wellbeing that our students and families will be more engaged and connected and therefore happier – and our key ingredient through this challenging time is happiness.”
While keeping a school community of about 500 pupils connected on a regular basis is an enormous task, Mr Walsh says teachers are striving to ensure everyone feels well supported.
“Everyone has come together to see that student, staff and family wellbeing is at the centre and that we can continue to build happy and resilient kids,” he says.
“We offer live assemblies, community-based competitions and different wellbeing supports for families and we hope that even though we are apart during remote learning, that as a community we are all there for each other.”
Surfside Primary School has also strived to make the return to remote learning as flexible as possible for families, Mr Walsh says.
“I think it is always going to be a tough juggle for families – work, schooling, exercise, dinner, sleep – and trying to keep the family unit positive and together when so much is missing from our daily lives.”
