FROM THE HEADMASTER
Learning in Pandemic Times
When twenty-twenty began, the leadership team envisioned a year of consolidation after the notable integration of Primary and Kindergarten at our San Fernando Campus, and the reconfiguration of the Intermediate and Senior schools in Olivos. But soon after the year’s kick-off the COVID pandemic hit with the resulting lockdown of schools, requiring academic and support teams to promptly devise a plan to ensure, overnight, the continuity of teaching and learning through virtual means. Far from being short, this adverse context lasted unfortunately for most of the year, continually challenging academic teams to sustain engagement and learning through passion, commitment and resourcefulness. It was only in late November that governmental authorities allowed students to attend school premises in carefully managed subgroups ("bubbles") to the delight of students, teachers and parents alike, allowing some respite before year end. In spite of these most challenging times, we continued on our path to becoming a competency-based school. Based on Michael Fullan’s work, staff worked on an initial maturity model of six competencies or life-worthy skills: Character, Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Creativity and Citizenship. As they get defined to fit our school’s culture and vision, they will be used as a reference in student assessment and activity planning, thus promoting deep and holistic learning. The pandemic put everybody to the test. Teachers had to redefine teaching and learning and find ways to leverage technology as never before. This was particularly
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