Glenealy School Newsletter
20th Aug 2020
Message from Chris
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
What a whirlwind of a week it has been. Children have been working very hard through our distance learning programme. Thank you for the early feedback we have received from many parents about the relationships already being built between teachers and children. These are crucial for our classes to be successful over the academic year.
It has been great to see the children engaging well and really trying their best to complete tasks. We are also adapting and adjusting what we are doing to ensure that children can complete the tasks set with as much independence as possible. We recognise that families, particularly of our young children, have been working extremely hard to support the engagement of children in the home. This is not an easy thing to do in a busy household where parents are also working. Thank you for all your support. The way in which our youngest children have managed to engage with the distance learning so far is testament to the working partnership visible across the school. We are already seeing very high levels of digital and distance learning skills in action in our older year groups. We anticipate that as the children quickly grow in confidence with the current approach there will be increased fluidity and efficiency.
Our tech team have been working extremely hard this week to maintain all the school’s systems and provide personalised digital support to families. I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their work. If you have any technical issues please email tech@glenealy.edu.hk.
We have been taking feedback from parents throughout the week - the majority of which has been extremely positive. There are some common themes in the challenges that families are facing in the home which we are seeking to address. In particular we are currently addressing connection and links issues. The teachers are also meeting daily to adjust provision to make sure learning is pitched appropriately in the current circumstances and children are able access the independent learning without large amounts of home adult intervention. This, of course, is harder in the early years in school, however we are determined to continue to adapt and adjust to make sure the day runs as smoothly as possible for each child and family.
Please ensure you contact your child’s class teacher if you have any questions relating to the learning, or you can always contact any member of the leadership team via the school office.
Regarding our potential return to school, we have no news at this stage. The EDB and CHP have not indicated a time or timescale for our return. Please be assured that whilst adjusting and delivering our home learning approach, we are simultaneously working on our return to school plans. As soon as I have more information from EDB, I will write to parents with further details.
Updating Visa Records
Could we request all parents to upload proof of their child(ren)’s current visa status into their Gateway account under “Proof Documents” so that we can update our records. Can you also enter the correct information in the field labelled “Resident Status” to reflect the type of visa your child is holding. It is a legal requirement for all students who are enrolled in a school in Hong Kong to be holding a valid visa. This could be a Permanent Resident, Dependant, Consular or other type of visa.
Zoom Parent Conferences
Over the coming weeks we want to provide a chance for parents to meet one to one with their child’s class teacher via Zoom. These conferences will happen on Friday 4th September and Friday 11th September. Early next week we will provide a sign up sheet. Our teachers are really looking forward to the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your child’s progress.
I wish all our families a good end of the week and a restful weekend.
Best Regards,
Chris