St Aloysius' College Lockdown Review

ST ALOYSIUS’ COLLEGE COVID-19 LOCKDOWN: A REVIEW

Dear Friends I have been a teacher now for almost thirty years and a Head Master for ten of those years. You get used to unusual and emotionally engulfing events but no one prepared any of us for lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. I don’t really know how to describe it. For all of us, be we leaders, governors, teachers, parents or pupils it has simply been an extraordinary time. All consuming, emotionally draining, physically exhausting and taxing our intelligence, ingenuity and emotions.

Since shutdown on 20th March I can’t remember a day when we haven’t been planning, thinking, preparing and working away. Lockdown for schools has felt like a series of phases. The first was the two weeks to Easter with the scrabble to work remotely, then there was planning to be ready to come back virtually after Easter so that our pupil experience was as good as possible in such strange times. Many of our pupils entered a phase of what could be termed isolation from friends which must have been felt by so many in every community. Then we had the hope, a date for reopening. So now we find ourselves in the ‘preparing to reopen phase’ which is focused on 11th August.

There has been no typical day during lockdown. However this document summarises in what used to be called ‘snapshot’ format the extraordinary ways in which our community has adapted. Remote learning was new for all of us and presented challenges. Communication was more important than ever in a ‘lockdown world’ and caring for the children of our key workers was an imperative. Some of your feedback on our activities is shared in this booklet and I want to thank everyone who shared their views with us. Much was clearly achieved but there are also lessons for how we can improve too. Everyone’s views have been discussed and used to continue our development.

Our community has been amazing and no pictures or words can fully demonstrate the sense of belonging and the belief that always shone through those dark days that we would emerge stronger and more reflective. And now there is light at the end of the tunnel. As I write, there have been no deaths from COVID-19 for 6 days, we are in phase three and gently trotting (we hope) to stage four. The College is ever so cautiously springing back into life as we prepare for reopening. Suddenly the world is looking just a little brighter. There are many hurdles to be overcome, so much has changed and the world will not be the same again. Some of that is no bad thing as I think we have become more conscious of being part of society, more caring towards other human beings, more aware of our environment and our planet, and more grateful for the little things. Pray that it will continue and keep us in your thoughts as we start to re-emerge as a real community, not just a virtual one.

Kindest regards

MATTHEW BARTLETT HEAD MASTER

REMOTE LEARNING

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Like almost all schools in the country, we operated an asynchronous model of teaching that allowed pupils to access learning at a time that suits families. We complemented this by upgrading our on-line learning platform (Schoology) to allow learners to take part in quizzes, online assessments and access materials more easily.

Teachers provided weekly tasks for all pupils from KG - P7. Specialist subject lessons for Art, Modern Foreign Languages and Science continued.

Events like Virtual Sports Week kept our pupils active during lockdown. Our Primary 5 pupils even took part in a virtual school trip.

Some of our Junior School teachers during virtual lessons to pupils.

PARENT/CARER SURVEY RESPONSES: “Lots of work provided. A good mix of core English and Arithmetic. Teacher feedback to my child has been extremely good and prompt. Overall I am delighted with the quality and quantity of online provision. The class teacher has been outstanding during this difficult period.” “...the quantity and quality of work provided has been terrific and the teacher has commented on every submission our child has made. This has not gone unnoticed by either ourselves or our child.” “...the quantity and quality of work provided has been terrific and the teacher has commented on every submission our child has made. This has not gone unnoticed by either ourselves or our child.”

JUNIOR SCHOOL

REMOTE LEARNING

REMOTE LEARNING

SENIOR SCHOOL

REMOTE LEARNING

SENIOR SCHOOL

Like almost all schools in the country, we operated an asynchronous model of teaching that allowed pupils to access learning at a time that suits families. We complemented this by upgrading our on-line learning platform (Schoology) to allow learners to take part in quizzes, online assessments and access materials more easily.

Pupils from S1 - S6 also took part in online clinics with subject teachers and, in addition, teachers worked on the SQA requirement for S4 - S6.

Co-curricular activities were also continued at home and the PE department provided a number of weekly activities.

PARENT/CARER SURVEY RESPONSES: Overall rating:

How many hours a day does your child spend on school work?

A ‘normal’ school day is usually: 2 - 4 hours

37%

4.5 hours

4 - 6 hours

40% “The college has achieved an incredible amount over the last couple of months. But ..... there is no substitute for excellent, face to face teaching, which the College excels at.”

“Very well run. Lots of home work for my child and lots of positive support from the teachers.”

“I would to convey our gratitude for the outstanding effort Mr Bartlett and his team have made to ensure the continued excellent standards of education and pastoral care during these unsettled times. Our children are most fortunate to be part of the Aloysian community.”

PASTORAL CARE

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Throughout school-closure, we have provided pastoral care by contacting pupils and parents using Schoology and email. In some cases we have provided phone calls and teachers continued to ensure our young people were feeling supported in their learning and wellbeing.

We also conducted a Wellbeing Survey for pupils. Staff organised online activities to build community spirit throughout lockdown and to encourage communication between our young people. Our new Primary 1 pupils also had the chance to visit for a socially distanced induction morning,

PARENT/CARER SURVEY RESPONSES:

“It is clear that the staff really care for the children and miss them.”

“Feedback comes promptly and regularly which has helped to keep us motivated.”

“I really like [the classroom teacher’s] approach to well being”

JUNIOR SCHOOL

PASTORAL CARE

PASTORAL CARE

SENIOR SCHOOL

SENIOR SCHOOL

PASTORAL CARE

Throughout school-closure, we have provided continuous pastoral care by all Heads of Year ensuring that young people feel supported in their learning and wellbeing. The pastoral team has regularly posted videos and messages to reassure our young people.

Counselling support has been provided on request and a whole school wellbeing survey has been conducted. Many online activities have been organised to create community spirit during this challenging time away from school. Transition days were also organised for our new S1 pupils.

Spiritual wellbeing was also important. Our Director of Christian Formation posted regualr updates and daily prayers for pupils, staff and families.

PARENT/CARER SURVEY RESPONSES: Overall rating:

“I feel the standard of pastoral care has been excellent.”

“Excellent. This is the main reason my children attend this school”

“We have been very touched by some of the messages from the teachers which have helped the children feel that they are still very much part of the community, that they are all still together, albeit in a distanced way! Also, the reassurance of the teachers reminding the children they are there for them if they are struggling in any way is very heartening and appreciated.”

“Very pleased at the exceptional contact being maintained. All staff have been a credit to their profession and put the needs of their pupils to the tire despite considerable pressures at home.”

COMMUNICATIONS The college has kept pupils and parents informed throughout school-closure through regular emails, Schoology updates, social media posts and through the use of a COVID-19 section on the school website.

Through the use of social media and our #AtHomewithHillSt campaign, we were able to keep our community connected. This included engaging with our current families as well as OAs through #OAWednesday and #ThrowbackThursday posts.

Videos messages from the Head Master were also posted on social media, along with a video Q&A with questions submitted by pupils.

PARENT/CARER SURVEY RESPONSES: Overall rating:

“The communication has been outstanding”

“Comms have been excellent both from Head Master and various teachers”

“The communication from the school has been excellent keeping us updated on the current situation, future plans but also keeping in touch overall to ensure that we are all in your thoughts” “We have really appreciated the regular updates even when there has been no concrete information to give; it has made us feel that we all remain connected” “Clear and concise communication on the back of every government announcement making the Colleges position clear to the parent body in an honest and open way. At times the way forward remained unclear, as the guidelines from the government departments remained unclear. However, the way this uncertainty was communicated indicated a certain transparency and shared information that was recognised and appreciated. Open lines of communication direct to the head master with immediate response.”

COMMUNICATIONS

THE HUB

CHILDREN OF KEY WORKERS

Over the 13 week period of lockdown, our ‘hub’ for the children of key workers was running Monday - Friday and we welcomed a number of our pupils into the College.

CHILDREN OF KEY WORKERS

THE HUB

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