3 minute read
Virtual, Vicarious, Versatile, Valiant
CO‘V’ID adaptations to Learning and Teaching by TSS Boarding V Classes
Ms Jo Ingis, Deputy Headmaster - Head of Teaching and Learning
VIVID is the memory of Term Two 2020 for everyone in schools; students learning from home; teachers adapting overnight to online pedagogy; and parents juggling working from home with children learning online. TSS Years 7, 8 and 9 Boarder families will, no doubt, have the most enduring memory, as boarding house capacity restrictions prevented students’ return to school for the whole of Term Two.
Mid Term Two, Queensland schools welcomed the return of all Day students and Years 10-12 Boarding students returned to TSS. Simultaneously TSS Virtual Years 7-9 Boarding commenced consisting of classes 7V, 8V and 9V with a tailored online timetable of core subjects; English, Mathematics, Science, Life & Faith, French or Chinese, PE, Chapel, Assembly and House Meetings complemented with additional programs including a weekly check-in with their Boarding Housemaster, weekly conferences with Mr Wain, Mr Hawkins and Ms Inglis, wellbeing sessions with Mr Bos and the Wellbeing Team including TSS psychologists and voluntary weekly academic help sessions with Year 12 Academic Firsts team members.
Additional year level programs included:
Year 7
• Music Making - bringing together a musical composition using bespoke instruments from home
• Baking with Bree – learning the art of cooking tasty delights including rock cakes and cornflake cookies, as well as cleaning up the mess afterwards!
Year 8
• My Story – media expert assisting students to make a short video documenting their Term Two 2020 experience with drafting feedback from School Captain Jonathon Burnett and Prefects Michael van der Schyff and Sam Morris
Year 9
• Man Up program exploring masculinity
• Business with Mr Andrew Hawkins – looking at the four components of personal finance – investing, income, borrowing and budgeting and studying the Australian Stock Exchange and the effect COVID-19 has had on the ASX200 and the banking industry across the world
• History with Mr Denzel Wilson considering the Industrial Revolution
Whilst everyone would have preferred the normality of Boarders being on campus, 7V, 8V and 9V students and parents offered positive feedback under the unique circumstances:
Free periods which allows us to get fresh air and get some exercise in – 7V student
A positive is the boarders’ groups, as we realise they would be at a disadvantage if they were to be incorporated into the face to face classes – 7V parent
Great that we are all in one class so that you can probably talk to any boarder and they would know what to do – 8V student
We are very grateful for this form of delivery to still be available. We know that it is only for four weeks. – 8V parent
Positive aspect - Everything! It has been extremely good. - 9V student
I think the boarder classes have been refreshing and reconnecting, the reduced workload has also been much appreciated. Mighty effort Headmaster and all TSS staff - you have gone above and beyond and your dedication to our boys is truly remarkable, thank you! – 9V parents
We look forward to the return of our vibrant and vivacious Years 7-9 Boarders for Term Three. Gratitude and kudos to the teachers involved; vanguards, who adapted creatively with pedagogy informed by best practices in boys’ education under unique circumstances and taught the virtual classes in addition to their normal classes.
