Our Distance Learning Philosophy and Approach

From the 15 of April, your child’s learning will be outlined and accessible through their school gmail accounts and team learning hubs.   

Your child's classroom teacher will be sending out an email on Wednesday morning to students, with an invitation to to connect via a zoom meeting on that day.

Wellbeing Matters

Our approach to distance learning is underpinned by ensuring that the wellbeing of our students and families is nurtured.

The emotional needs of your child comes first. If your child is feeling worried, we trust you will make the right decision for your family. If you would benefit from cuddling up with a book as a family, walking the dog, or enjoying a movie together at home, we would encourage you to do so - family comes first.

In a typical day your child's learning will be split into three parts:

1  Connection                                                                                  Students will have the opportunity to connect with their teachers at the start of each week via a zoom meeting and discuss learning for the week and ask questions.  

Teachers will specify when they will be available online each day to answer emails and connect with students individually.    

2  Continuing Learning                                                                 Learners can continue learning by engaging in learning opportunities through their learning hubs and seesaw accounts. Teachers will also be sending through video messages via seesaw to help guide the students with their learning.  This learning will centre around literacy, mathematics and technology.  Teachers will respond and give feedback as appropriate.

3  Additional Learning Opportunities that will be promoted 

•  Staying Active 
•  Breens Licence Programme 
•  Kiwi Kids News resources - reading, quizzes and bingo boards
•  5 Ways to Wellbeing choice boards each week - here is #1

No access to digital devices at home?

The Ministry of Education will be launching two television channels for learning from Wed 15 April - one in English and one in Te Reo Māori.  These channels will run from 9-3pm.   You can see the schedule here.

If your child is able to check their emails on a smart phone they will be able to attend zoom meetings and choose from a number of offline activities each week - via the choice board.    

We are also working with the Ministry of Education to get hard copy packs of learning delivered to your homes to support you.    

How should I engage my child?

The COVID-19 will have impacted each of our families differently. The level in which you will be able to engage in your child’s learning from home will differ depending on your own unique situation. We know that many of you will be caring for preschoolers, some working from home and trying to juggle the household, learning and working all in close quarters, some will be essential workers at the front line coming home tired and others work situations may have changed altogether and creating uncertainty as a result of COVID.

We want to reassure you that it is up to you and your family situation how much your child engages in the learning that we will continue to design and provide at a distance. For some an hour a day would be success, for others a usual school day timespan necessary so working from home can continue. We want to reassure you to trust your judgement here, trust that you will make the best decision for your family.

If you need further assistance and support please in the first instance get in touch with your child's teacher via email or email principal@breens.school.nz and we will do our best to support you in any way we can. 

Ngā mihi nui

Nikki, Nathan and team