Good morning everyone,
It's a snowy report, this one! That is, for some reason, I feel compelled to use the snow as a metaphor and vehicle for this week's sharing...I wonder why?!
In my last newsletter, I spoke of the joint efforts to co-educate our pupils; may I firstly say well done to you all - it's certainly no mean-feat. I, too, am a parent so I fully understand the stresses and strains remote learning can present. I am so incredibly impressed with the efforts on home learning and with the understanding, from you, that we, as a school, are working tirelessly to provide a provision, which engages, motivates and challenges your child/ren. We are still tinkering with our Google Classroom platform and the provision we are offering (and will continue to do so), therefore, please do afford us the time and patience to get better and better...'There's no use in grumbling when the snowflakes come tumbling.'
An important message to share (for all parents/carers and children) is the working hours of staff. Please do understand that staff are currently juggling a timetable of teaching in school, remote planning, assessing, giving feedback, answering emails, etc, etc - this is without them managing their own families and home lives. Therefore, I have instructed them to ensure, when they get home, they rest and try to re-energise in the evening before it all starts again. Responding to pupil work/emails/messages, etc. will, therefore, be between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm. 'Advice is like snow - the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind'
We still have a bank of school Chromebooks! These will enable your child/ren immediate access to the resources that the teachers are providing - a school Chromebook works quite differently to a home laptop - they are managed on the school's domain and are Google intuitive, therefore, all of the Google suite apps are at your finger tips. Please do contact the school if you wish to collect a school device. When snow falls, nature listens.
I recently shared a 'Remote Learning - Top tips' for parents/carers'. I've included this again, below. Please do have a look at these as there are some suggestions, which may hopefully support the challenges you face at home. I've certainly pinched a few this week as I spent a day at home remote learning whilst juggling two schools and setting both my children up for primary and secondary school learning - they are 8 and 11 years old so I get it when, at home, you find this all a colossal challenge! Row one is all about the notion of 'Be Kind to Yourselves' e.g:
- It is okay not to be okay. Emotions can run high and children may be fearful, worried or feel anxious;
- Children take cues from adult behaviour and attitudes so try to stay calm, confident & have optimism;
- Spend time together, discover new interests and invest energy in activities that often get pushed aside.
So, remember to 'Be kind to yourselves' - 'Kindness is like snow - it beautifies everything.'
This week's newsletter is very much about the outdoors...some would say: 'When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels.' Others might add: 'To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.'
If neither of those works for you, why not, give this a read or simply 'Snuggle up and watch it snow.'
May I wish you and your families a safe weekend.
'The mountains are calling and I must go.'
Mr Francksen
Executive Headteacher
