Year 7
Remote Learning
Vanessa and I have been so impressed at how well the Yr 7s have adjusted to remote learning. We appreciate that it is not an ideal situation, especially as they are just been establishing new friendships and settling into Secondary School life. Please be assured that we will continue to support students remotely and we have planned a number of activities to do during Tutor Time to ensure we continue to build on the connection’s students have made with each other during their first 10 weeks of Yr 7.
Top Tips for Remote Learning
We all know a typical response from a young person when you ask “what did you do today” can be “nothing” (which we know is not true!), so to hopefully help avoid this response, we have provided a few questions you might like to ask at the beginning and end of the day to help you get a more detailed response:
In the morning, you could ask:
- what are you learning today?
- what are your learning targets or goals?
- how will you be spending your time?
- what resources do you require?
- what support do you need?
In the afternoon, you could ask:
- what did you learn today?
- acknowledge one thing that was difficult. Either let it go or come up with a strategy to deal with the same problem if it comes up again.
- consider three things that went well today. Why were they good?
- are you ok? Do you need to ask your teacher for something? Do you need help with something to make tomorrow more successful?
Student Wellbeing
As educators, the wellbeing of our students underpins all that we do, and this is particularly evident during times like we are experiencing now. The resilience that students, staff and families have, and are, demonstrating is exceptional and it further reminds us of the importance of the ability to regulate our emotions, cope when dealing with difficult situations and adapt when necessary. We have certainly seen our students demonstrate these specific skills over the past few weeks, and we are incredibly proud of them for this, and many more reasons.
Pastoral Support
We wanted to take this opportunity to remind parents that all of the usual support services are still available, although they may look a little different. Tutors, Year Advisors, senior Counsellors, Dean of Students and the Chaplain are available as pastoral supports. Students can email these supports directly or through wellbeing@redlands.nsw.edu.au and staff will respond accordingly during school hours.
Our Counsellors are also currently developing a Pastoral Support iLearn page with a variety of different resources, which will be available next week. Parents are also welcome to email any of these supports if you are concerned about your son or daughter, or just need some advice abot how to support them.
Tutor Time
Tutor Time will also continue each day in order to provide students with the opportunity to connect with their Tutor Group, have some fun and ensure they are looking after themselves, and each other.
Chapel
As with other aspects of our school routine, Chapel will continue, albeit in a slightly different format. Each week our Chaplain will record a message for the students that they can access through the Chapel iLearn page. Students will be guided to this by their Tutor and are encouraged to participate in reflection activities after they have watched the video.
SchoolTV
The most recent Special Report from SchoolTV provides parents and caregivers with some guidelines on how best to navigate this time of transition with minimal disruption. Please click on this link to access information on resilience.
Online Study Skills
Dr Salter has added a new section to the Study Skills Handbook: Tips for Remote Home Learning. Please click on this link for further information: Username: redlands; Password: 68results.
Webinar
You are invited to participate in a fundraiser for Women’s Community Shelters. Domestic violence rates rise in times of challenge and the shelters can’t do their normal fundraising events. Four speakers have been asked to donate their time to a webinar parents can pay to access with all proceeds going to the Shelters.
Circles of Support Webinar – Parenting Through COVID-19
Tuesday 2 April at 8.00pm for the live webinar or sign up to watch the replay
Click here
Ms Lisa Vale
Yr 7 Advisor
9968 9837
lvale@redlands.nsw.edu.au