Together
It’s hard to believe that we are once again facing Off Campus Learning. We know from last year our students stepped up to the challenge and learnt a lot from the experience, demonstrating greater independence, help-seeking skills, creative thinking, questioning skills, focus, listening skills, and a deeper appreciation for friendships and collaboration. The list could go on. I’m sure when you reflect back to last year you would agree that your child developed in many ways. So, especially for new families that joined our community in 2021, we want to reassure you that we are confident our students will once again succeed. Of course, we are very much looking forward to having everyone back onsite again soon - nothing can replace the magic that happens when our students are learning together at school. Until then, we will continue to seek opportunities to bring out the best in the situation we find ourselves in - and together we can do this with confidence, courage and positivity.
With the uncertainties we faced during the school break, our staff started preparing rich, high quality learning experiences for Off Campus Learning. A lot of time was also spent during the break planning and organising the logistics. Thank you to all of our staff for their flexibility, dedication and expertise. You have been truly remarkable.
In last week's Pre-Term Newsletter, the Senior Leadership Team outlined our key priorities during Off Campus Learning. We explained that we aim to:
- Ensure the best opportunities for student learning with excellent academic outcomes to match, through our delivery of OCL at home, via our online platforms and apps, as well as on-site learning for students who are not able to learn at home;
- Support student wellbeing by providing emotional support and connection to their friends, peers and teachers;
- Provide clarity of communication through updates to the school community in a timely and consistent manner;
- Collaborate with members of the Claremont College school community to develop a sense of connection, belonging and support for the children, parents and families; and
- Deliver a strategy, guided by public health orders, that prioritises the ‘wellbeing of all’ - ie. the health and safety for all people within our school community and beyond.
Please refer to the three links attached. Please note that information here includes how to make contact with the school.
Communication Guide, Health & Safety Matters - Doug Thomas
Off Campus Learning - Janelle Ford
Wellbeing @ Claremont - Larissa Cameron
The collection of resources on Monday afternoon was seamless and it was lovely to see so many parents. Thank you for the support, encouragement and gratitude shown to our staff and to other families. As Mr Thomas wrote last week, our character is tested in the anxiety and challenge, and there is opportunity here for our community to be recognised as a strong, caring and compassionate one. If you require support or would like to make contact with someone at school, please refer to the link for Mr Thomas’ document above, for the appropriate communication channels. Remember, we are in this together.
