Dear Parents & Friends of St Clare’s

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family safe, well and in good spirits.

In past months, much has been written about the pandemic’s negative impact on our day-to-day lives and there is no doubt that each of us has experienced frustration and a sense of loss, as long anticipated plans and pleasures have been disrupted due to lockdown and safety guidelines.

Yet we know that every crisis creates opportunities and, provided we are prepared to look beyond the obstacles that confront us, we may be able to find solace and a sense of accomplishment that improves our lives and wellbeing.  There is evidence that changes we make in our lives can help us cope with adversity and see a way beyond the misfortunes that confront us in our lives (John Parrington, Oxford University).

The lockdown of our region, with short notice, took many people by surprise and has tested the flexibility of organisations and individuals to meet the challenges of locking down while continuing to meet the needs of their community.

This week I asked our Leaders of Wellbeing & Engagement to contact their students and ask them to respond to four questions:

1. What are the positives of home learning?
2. How easy/accessible have your online lessons been?
3. Are you feeling safe/ok and able to learn?
4. Do you have any suggestions on how to improve the online learning process?

Here are their responses…

Year 11

Lucy

I think that home-learning for the second time has been a lot easier than the first.  It has been less stressful as we have already been through a very similar experience, so the adjustment hasn't been as large. 

Home learning has its advantages such as more free time to spend outdoors and, in the sun, as well as with family.  As much as I miss the face-to-face contact with friends and teachers, I think that it is a great opportunity to keep our community safe and healthy. 

Cassidy

Personally, the positives of home learning for me are having the ability to create a space which I feel settled in.  I can motivate myself easier as I am able to work at my own pace with the help of teachers that are standing by.

The online lessons have been easy to access because the school has everything set up in a way where I only need to open my device in the morning, and everything is ready.

I am feeling safe and okay and my ability to learn has not been impacted too greatly.  In regards to improving the online learning process, maybe recording the streams could be a good idea as Wi-Fi can cut out and be faulty which might cause students to miss out on important parts of the call.  I have also found that the teachers that turn their cameras on are easier to understand than ones that don't show their face.

Seren

Home learning has allowed me to work at my own pace with a more flexible schedule and given me back the three hours I usually spend on a bus each day.

Online lessons have mostly been very accessible, however some lessons have been more difficult to complete online than others, as I can't use all of the school's resources from home (e.g. instruments).

I feel able to learn at home, although the greater number of distractions makes it slightly more difficult.

Year 7

Pippa

How have easy/accessible have your online lessons been?
The online lessons are great and I have no problems

Are you feeling safe/ok and able to learn?
Yes, I am feeling great

Any advice on how to improve the on line learning process?
No totally fine

Sara

I'm great.
It's been pretty good doing home learning.
There is quite a lot of work though
Sometimes I feel like I'm sitting down for the whole day!
So, I try and finish early so I can get outside.
The video chats are helpful just so the teacher can explain to you what's happening because sometimes it gets a bit confusing.

Ruby

What are the positives of home learning?  I used to have to be at the bus stop at 7:30 in the morning but lately I have been getting up at 8am and have been able to go bike riding or walk along the beach. Also, every recess and Lunch I have been going bike riding around my town. 

How have easy/accessible have your online lessons been?  My online classes have been very easy to access because all the teachers are putting a lot of it onto Compass. 

Are you feeling safe/ok and able to learn?  I am feeling safe, and I feel ready to learn. It has just been a little hard getting some things in on time because I get distracted doing stuff in the house. 

Any advice on how to improve the online learning process?  No, it has been fantastic. 

Lane

I'm good thanks.
1 Home learning is pretty good because I don't have to catch the bus and I can sleep in
2 They have been easy and accessible
3 Yes I’m feeling safe and I'm able to learn
4 I don't really have any suggestions to improve my education

Year 9

Charlotte

1. What are the positives of home learning?

A positive of home learning would be that I have more time in my day, I don't have to rush between classes, and, I am at home, so I don't have travel to and from school. Another positive would be that it hasn't been overly difficult to complete work and teachers have been understanding and making sure we are still learning. 

2. How easy/accessible have your online lessons been?

Online lessons have been very easy and accessible. Having teams and compass have all the lesson information has been great and is a better system than many schools are able to have at the moment. 

3. Are you feeling safe/ok and able to learn?

Yes, I am feeling safe, ok, and able to learn. I feel safe being at home and I have been able to continue learning through my laptop with all the resources I need.  

Jena

1. I find it easier to concentrate and get my work done because I'm not being disturbed by anyone around me.  I feel I can take my time on my work because you don't really have a time limit to get your online work done.
2. Microsoft teams and Compass has made it very easy to access work and information for my online classes.
3. knowing that I am safe at home, I can learn and work, quick and efficiently.

Oliver

1. What are the positives of home learning? Home It’s a very comfortable environment, however can be quite distracting at times. It can be a much quieter environment (with the exception of loud siblings). And you can stay in the same workspace for all subjects throughout the day.
2. How easy/accessible have your online lessons been? Lessons have been totally accessible, as all work is ready and waiting on compass/teams. Depending on the subject/teacher it can be harder If your teachers are less connected to the students e.g. only uploading instructions on compass and not explaining the content through chats/meetings. But when the teacher engages to students through online meetings and explain the content and assigned work, I find it far more engaging and easy to learn.
3. Are you feeling safe/ok and able to learn? I am completely comfortable and safe with my online situation as having family members in the house throughout the day and having friends to talk to makes being at home a much more comfortable place to be, however, being at home, I find myself getting easily distracted from my work when it’s just me and my work in an empty room. This is also why I prefer having meetings and engaging with my teachers.

Sam

1. What are the positives of learning at home?

Being able to learn at my own pace and having more time to do things instead of only having one period to do all the work.  Plus, you don't get any homework because it is all homework. Being at home also helps with your state of mind because you work by yourself and I personally find that to be a better work environment and being able to go outside and work instead of having to be in a classroom on hard plastic chairs I can sit in comfy chairs and on the ground and I don't have to ask to go to the toilet.

2. How easy/accessible have your online lessons been?

The lessons on Compass are easy to access but teams sometimes glitches out and that is kind of hard considering there is a new zoom meeting every 2 seconds and the zooms are useful for learning because the teachers give you some good advice on the work you are doing. other than that it has been very easy to access.

3. Are you feeling safe/ok and able to learn?

Yes, I am feeling safe here at home in my own space and learning is a breeze now that I can do the work the way I feel happy doing it.

Year 8

Ava

1. What are the positives of home learning?

The positives of home learnings are - you can exercise and you can take your time with the work that the teachers provide.  You’re able to eat food whenever you want and some days finish all your work early. 

2. How easy/accessible have your online lessons been?

My lessons have been easy to access and I think I'm making sure I have finished all my work.  The lessons are enjoyable to do. 

3. Are you feeling safe/ok and able to learn?

I feel confident with online learning and learning more and more each day.

4. Do you have any suggestions on how to improve the online learning process?

I think all the teachers are doing a really great job and they are doing their best so I don't have any other suggestions. 

Marissa

1. What are the positives of home learning?

I can do my work at a good pace, have good breaks and it is just easy to work through and I feel like I have so much more time to do everything and I am getting all my work done.

2. How easy/accessible have your online lessons been?

My online learning has been easy to work with and I'm really liking it.

3. Are you feeling safe/ok and able to learn?

I am feeling great, I'm going through my work at a good pace and following the instructions that are on Compass. If I need some help, I just email my teachers and majority of them reply straight away and it is a huge help. 

4. Do you have any suggestions on how to improve the online learning process?

No

Leo

1. What are the positives of home learning?

Some of the positives are that I can eat and chew gum, and listen to music while working (all are things you can't do during usual classes at school)

I also have more freedom to work through classes at my own pace. ​

2. How easy/accessible have your online lessons been?

My online lessons are normally easy enough to work through and find that they are sometimes a bit too easy to keep me motivated sometimes to do the work.

3. Are you feeling safe/ok and able to learn?

Online learning feels safe to me (It is safer) as there is a very much decreased chance of catching viruses at home...

I can't think of any reasons why this online learning would be 'unsafe'

4. Do you have any suggestions on how to improve the online learning process?

I have no suggestions, apart from maybe having help more available for people who may need it. 

I was heartened by the feedback your sons and daughters provided.  They have shown a significant level of resilience and a deep appreciation for the work, support and care the St Clare’s staff have shown them during a critical time in their lives.

A number of resources have been sent out via Compass to students, parents and staff around the themes of mental health and wellbeing.  It is important that we continue to ensure that all in our St Clare’s community are not only well physically, but continue to feel safe and connected during the period of lockdown.  For those who are unsure of how to rate their level of wellbeing, I provide these suggestions below from the Black Dog Institute: 

Your Personal Mental Health Check-In

Feelings

On a scale from 0 (‘not at all’) to 10 (‘extremely’), how stressed, anxious or down you are feeling?

Body

Notice any tension in your body like tight shoulders, chest, or jaw.  Other signs you might be feeling stressed include dryness of the mouth, difficulty breathing, and a racing heart.

Sleep

Are you constantly struggling to get to sleep, waking in the night, earlier than usual, or finding it difficult to get back to sleep?  These are signs your mind is unable to switch off and relax.

Thoughts

Are you always worrying about the worst-case scenarios?  Focusing on the ‘what if’ scenarios is not useful and it’s best to try and limit this as much as possible.

Reactions & Behaviour

If you’re frequently snapping at those you love, finding it extremely difficult to focus, or always depending on things like alcohol or food to cope, it’s time to prioritise your mental wellbeing.

Check-In Buddy

Choose a check in buddy.  This may be your partner, housemate or even a friend or colleague you’re keeping in touch with via video messaging.  Be honest about how you are coping.

The extension of the lockdown period, until Saturday, 28 August by NSW Government, presents particular challenges to our Year 12 cohort who must now complete their trial assessment period online.  I know that their previous experience of home learning and the strong connection between students, parents and staff will stand them in good stead as they work through the trial period.

This collaborative approach means that all members of the St Clare’s community can be hopeful and confident about the future.

God bless

Peter Nicholls
Principal