From Deputy Head Nick Marcou

ONLINE LEARNING

By Nick Marcou

In many ways, Marymount girls were better prepared for the move to online learning than their Mr. Nick Marcou has worked at Marymount counterparts in other schools. As IB learners, students for over 25 years. During his time at the in both the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and School, he has worn a number of hats, from Diploma Programme (DP) are actively encouraged to be music teacher to Deputy Head (Academic). independent, curious and self-regulated – ideal attributes In the article below, he describes how for those having to learn online. We were thus confident circumstances surrounding the global in the girls’ ability to rise to the challenge, which they did pandemic contributed to a more technologywith their usual enthusiasm and tenacity. Nevertheless, driven approach to teaching and learning, the move from face-to-face to online was a steep learning making 2020 an unforgettable year! curve for such a tightly knit community like ours.

By the time we closed our campus in mid-March, shortly before the closure of all schools nationwide, we had already developed an online learning policy and tested our technology to make sure teachers and students could hit the ground running once online learning commenced. Keeping the School’s mission uppermost in our minds, we made a conscious decision to build up to a full timetable gradually, so as to give everyone a chance to adjust to the ‘new normal’. We followed a more asynchronous model in our first fortnightly learning cycle, with the priority being the mental health and well-being of students, parents and teachers alike. Knowing how important it would be to remain connected to each other, we also continued to publish the Daily Bulletin to bring the community together in prayer and to share tips and tricks designed to help us manage the lockdown period more easily, including mindfulness tips, and regular Student Council challenges. Towards the end of this first cycle, we surveyed students, parents and teachers to identify what had worked well and what we could strengthen further to ensure the students’ experience was engaged and meaningful. Despite many students being in different time zones, the survey results revealed the community’s readiness to move towards a more synchronous approach to teaching and learning, so we used the Easter break to develop a modified block timetable, designed to bring greater structure to the students’ day and to provide opportunities for regular faceto-face teaching, class discussion and Q and A. The implementation of this timetable after Easter meant that students and faculty could have more and more meaningful contact with each other, and both parties gladly took advantage of the opportunity it afforded to connect face-to-face and replicate the unique experience that is the Marymount classroom. It is not uncommon for creativity and innovation to come to the fore in sustained periods of challenge and this was certainly true of the Marymount London community. As well as maintaining continuity of learning through online lessons, we were able to introduce weekly Assemblies, daily Advisor and/or Homeroom meetings, guided prayer, and witness an incredible 12th Grade Final Assembly and Prank Day. At the time of writing, we are preparing for a virtual Grade 12 Liturgy and Graduation, semester examinations and our final Awards Assembly. Not quite business as usual, but nearly!

Although it has been a challenging term, it has certainly been memorable and one of the most collaborative and creative I have ever experienced. I would like to pay tribute to the students and faculty (and parents) who have worked with such dedication and enthusiasm to learn and, more importantly, grow together during this period of uncertainty. We have witnessed incredible solidarity and kindness from everyone in the community and there can be no doubting we are all the stronger for having been ‘in it together’. Finally, I must salute the Class of 2020 for continuing to lead from the front and reminding us all what it means to be a member of the Marymount community. I know they will go on to achieve great things in life, but I am even more certain that they will do so with the grace, integrity and joyful spirit they have shown throughout these unprecedented times!