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The Nuts & Bolts of Remote Learning

Chris Comeau —

As New Zealand transitions to Level 4 with Covid-19, the Roncalli College staff are now ready to commence remote teaching/learning starting Thursday, 26 March

Dear Parents/Caregivers and Students

As New Zealand transitions to Level 4 with Covid-19, the Roncalli College staff are now ready to commence remote teaching/learning starting Thursday, 26 March.

We ran some trials with sample groups of students on Monday and were quite pleased overall with the level of connectivity and student engagement in the process. We encountered a few minor issues and have made the necessary modifications.

One significant change is that we have created a new, condensed timetable for remote classes. Revised student timetables can be viewed through the caregiver and student portals on Edge.

The expectation is that all students are available for online tuition between the hours of 10am and 12.30pm. During this time their teachers will be in direct contact with them, via Zoom, Google Classroom or some other on-line platform.

  • Period 1 - 10:00am
  • Period 2 - 10:30am
  • Period 3 - 11:00am
  • Period 4 - 11:30am
  • Period 5 - 12:00pm

To take full advantage of the online user experience, we recommend that students do the following where possible:

  • Work at a desk or table (not on a bed or on the floor)

  • Use a laptop or computer with reliable internet connection

  • Wear earphones to minimise noise interference

  • Be dressed for the day (not in pajamas)

We have condensed class times so that students are not spending excessive time on a device. We realise that there may be several people working from home during this time of isolation. Each afternoon, students will complete any work set that morning.

All classwork will be accessible through our common platform, google classrooms. You can support/monitor student learning by checking in with them and their learning each day. We are aware that some families are experiencing problems with remote internet access and we are currently exploring some possible solutions.

Over the next couple of days, a Roncalli College staff member will contact each household by phone to check on your circumstances and to see if any support/advice is required.

Please be aware that we are still receiving information about NCEA processes from NZQA. We will keep you informed as we learn more.

The term 1 holiday period has been brought forward to March 30 – April 14. So, we will run two days of remote classes just to get students comfortable with the process. We will resume remote learning again on 15 April.

As I indicated in my previous correspondence, our primary objective at this time is to support the families in our community as best we can. It is an unprecedented time and many families are being put to the test. Please let us know how we can help.

Learning from Home Resource

The Ministry of Education have also provided this useful resouce about learning at home https://learningfromhome.govt.nz/

Well Being Support

Wellbeing and counsellor support will continue to be available for our College community during this time.

Miss Walsh is available for general support via email (e.walsh@roncalli.school.nz) and can also schedule zoom appointments for those requiring further support.

In Ashley Shaw’s absence we have two counsellors available at the College. Katrina Stanley and Christine MacFarlane are available for phone or zoom conference counselling and can be contacted via email:

Please cc Miss Walsh into any emails sent to the counsellors.

Year level Deans can also be contacted via email for general support:

Students and families can also access wellbeing support several agencies as detailed in Miss Walsh's article on Welling Support. 

Finally, I draw your attention to the words of Eleanor Roosevelt: 

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you stop and look fear in the face.”

I am confident that in time we will emerge from this Covid-19 crisis a bit bruised but much stronger as a community.

Kia Kaha

Chris Comeau

PRINCIPAL