Teaching and Learning from home has become an experience we have all shared over the last two lockdowns. Teachers have been learning how to deliver and engage learners from home and learners have been learning how to navigate school from inside their bubbles.

This document has two goals: Firstly, to give you as parents and caregivers some insights into what we think works (based on research from overseas and our experiences) and secondly, we would like you to tell us about your experiences and how you think we could improve.

There are some key sites that may help you navigate the online world alongside your young person. These include:

Netsafe - advice for parents - Netsafe
Tiktok family safe guide click here

Student Engagement
Our goal is to engage (not entertain) students and this means that as teachers we are promoting students taking action - they are doing something to help themselves learn.  Engaged learners feel positive about learning and most importantly, students feel connected to the people and the content.  The connection is most challenging when we are learning from home.

Learning and wellbeing are closely linked.  Promoting healthy habits and mindful activities with your young person will help with learning.  This includes eating well, exercising and sleeping at regular times. We have kept our online meets at normal school times because we know that we will eventually need to transition back to school and face to face learning. We also know that if we push out the times, the whole day becomes longer for everyone at the other end. It might be helpful for your family to consider a more holistic approach to health as explained in the Te Whare Tapa Whā or Fonofale. All of these models place wellbeing at the centre.

We know that it does not work as a school to ignore the reality of being in a global pandemic, to assign ‘busy’ work to our students or to try and control too much.

What can you do to help:

1. Prioritise wellbeing in your family.
2. Be kind to yourself first.
3. Encourage routine - especially the morning routine.
4. Online classes are important - help your young person to know when they are and encourage them to turn up.
5. If you can, invite your young person to share their deadlines and/or plan for the day - this helps everyone keep on track.

Feedback
Feedback really helps us plan and prepare for the future.

Please click here to fill out a form giving us your thoughts on lockdown learning 2021.