First time Prep students bounce back into education after COVID-19
What are five-year-olds really getting up to after the morning bell rings? Go behind the scenes with preppies and see what the first year of school really looks like coming out of a pandemic.
Southeast
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FIRST time preppies have had a big start to 2020 with the school year plagued by the coronavirus pandemic.
In just six months the youngest members of school have spent many weeks being homeschooled, but recently the five and six-year-olds finally got to head back to the classroom.
So what is it these first time students love about school?
As Term 2 comes to an end we stopped by some bayside schools and colleges in Brisbane to see how the first class of 2020 has bounced back after COVID-19.
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WYNNUM WEST STATE SCHOOL
Prep teacher Leeann Little said she feels closer than ever before to the children and families she has worked with this year.
“We have developed a close and harmonious relationship through the extra communication that was required during the home learning period and through the support that we both gave each other,” Mrs Little said.
“I have also developed a relationship with older siblings through extra contact that I may not have otherwise had. I was also reminded of the value of independence.”
Mrs Little said the children are also much more aware of hygiene.
“They will remind us or ask us for hand sanitiser if they were absent or busy when it was handed out or remind us if it was forgotten,” she said.
“They try to keep their distance but often forget. They do remember though when their friends or teachers remind them.”
Name: Arabella
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
You’re not allowed to touch people. If someone touches you, you might get sick.
What do you love about school?
Eating lunch, playing and working.
What do you dislike about school?
I don’t like driving to school because I want to ride my bike to school.
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
My baby brother and playing outside.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A big girl and work on cars.
Name: Kate
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
It will make you cough and will get into your body and spread germs to everyone. They’re little germs and people can’t see them.
What do you love about school?
Drawing stuff, playing with play dough and painting.
What do you dislike about school?
Nothing!
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
My bunny toy. It plays songs.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Build a house!
Name: Zachary
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
It’s bad because you can get sick by putting hands in your mouth.
What do you love about school?
Playing with your friends and being nice to them and I like learning.
What do you dislike about school?
Sitting down and doing nothing. Sitting for an hour!
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
Missing my Mama and my doggies.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Work for Maccas.
Name: Cooper
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
Touching people and getting sick. Not being next to each other.
What do you love about school?
Reading, learning your sight words (I’m on the green level) and drawing.
What do you dislike about school?
Picking bark up with your hands and using glue because it makes your hands dirty.
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
Playing walkie-talkies.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Do whatever I want to do! Pay the bills.
Name: Ava
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
You will get sick. And you put a mask on.
What do you love about school?
I learn and have lunch and play with my friends.
What do you dislike about school?
I don’t like to colour in much because it takes so long!
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
I miss my Mummy.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A rider with horsies. And I will train them too!
MORETON BAY BOYS’ COLLEGE PREP A CLASS
Prep A teacher Mrs Sharon Atkins said for the first time in 2020 she had explored new ways of teaching because so many students had to learn from home during the pandemic.
This has involved using technology in different ways to connect with them,” she said.
“This is my third year teaching Prep and these students are very aware of what is happening in the world.
“We talk about the virus openly at school in an age appropriate manner and their responses are thoughtful and mature. Our focus is on good hygiene practices and they are approaching this in a very responsible way.
Name: Eddie
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
It is a sickness around the world.
What do you love about school?
I love going to PE and I love my friends. I learn lots at school.
What do you dislike about school?
Our play time at “Snack Attack” is too short.
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
I miss my Mum.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a soccer player.
Name: Huntley
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
It is a disease. If you touch somebody else, they might have germs and you could get sick.
What do you love about school?
I love my friends at school. I love doing the alphabet and my teachers are kind.
What do you dislike about school?
The day is too short. I would like more time to play with my friends.
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
My Mum and my Dad.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a Policeman so I can help people.
Name: Will
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
It is a cough and it can make you really sick. We need to be really careful and look after ourselves and other people.
What do you love about school?
I love seeing all my friends at school and you get to learn new things. I love the teachers.
What do you dislike about school?
There is nothing I don’t like because I love everything.
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
I miss my dog called Lexie.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a famous Tennis player.
MORETON BAY BOYS’ COLLEGE PREP B CLASS
Moreton Bay Boy’s College Prep B teacher Miss Jemma Pickering said being flexible and fluid was something she was used to in teaching.
“2020 has presented more challenges that has allowed me to explore a range of different approaches to engage students from a home setting.
“The students are very aware of what is happening in the world around them as it impacts their everyday life.
They have learnt the rules and routines of staying safe during this time and approach the topic with responsibility and empathy.
Name: Thomas
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
It’s not fun. You can’t touch each other, it can really make you sick.
What do you love about school?
There’s so much stuff that I like. I like the monkey bars and that I can go across them. I like reading and drawing.
What do you dislike about school?
I don’t like making stuff – like Jellyfish. They are poisonous!
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
I miss flying my drone
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A policeman, they’re so cool.
Name: Jonah
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
It means you can’t go and visit your family. It makes me feel sad. I wish it would go away!
What do you love about school?
Everything! Drawing, shapes, colours, craft, reading and playing with my friends.
What do you dislike about school?
I miss my family.
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
I miss playing, swimming in my pool.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a schoolteacher.
Name: Max
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
Coronavirus makes you sick.
What do you love about school?
I love learning the sounds, playing in the sandpit and playing in our class vet.
What do you dislike about school?
I don’t like the writing because its hard work and makes me sleepy!
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
I don’t miss anything. Except for mummy and daddy.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A race car driver!
ST JOHN VIANNEY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Prep teacher Mrs Olivia Horn loves teaching her students and she said the transition from a traditional classroom to online happened very quickly in 2020.
“As teachers we had to familiarise ourselves with technology and how to deliver the curriculum appropriately for parents and children working at home.
“I truly missed having the eye contact with each and every one of my students. The discussions about their favourite things and their funny little sayings,” Mrs Horn said.
“As a teacher, I have noticed the change in our community and the way we communicate. We have developed more creative ways to keep in touch with our parents and students.”
Mrs Horn has taught every grade from Prep to year 6.
“These students are very aware of the importance of hygiene. The children wash their hands before and after they enter the classroom throughout the day,” she said.
“Most children attempt to keep a respectful distance however, this is a skill that a Preppie is still learning even in a ‘normal’ situation.
“Most children have a greater understanding and try their very best to sneeze into their arm rather than their hands.”
Name: Poppy
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
I think we have to wash our hands more so people don’t get sick.
What do you love about school?
Learning and playing with my friends.
What do you dislike about school?
Nothing really, I love it.
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
I miss my toys.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a singer
Name: Harvey
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
I think people are infected and they might have to stay at home.
What do you love about school?
I love to help people.
What do you dislike about school?
I love school.
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
I miss my sister.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A cricket player.
Name: Grace
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
That we have to wash our hands and we have to wear a mask in case we catch it.
What do you love about school?
I love school because I get to meet new friends.
What do you dislike about school?
I don’t like it if people ruin my creations.
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
I miss my favourite bear.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a teacher.
Name: Savannah
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
It’s not because people get sick. It is a virus that makes you sick.
What do you love about school?
That I sometimes get our class mascot Benny Bunny to take home.
What do you dislike about school?
I love school, there’s nothing I don’t like.
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
I miss my special toys.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a Queen because Queens are beautiful.
Name: Asher
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
People can be sick if they catch the coronavirus. It can spread.
What do you love about school?
I love school because we do fun activities
What do you dislike about school?
There’s nothing I don’t like.
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
I don’t miss anything, I just love school.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be an Archaeologist. They find geo’s a kid of rock. They also find bones.
Name: Joachim
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
People get infected by the coronavirus. We have to get a needle with a vaccine so the virus will be gone.
What do you love about school?
I love playing with my friends.
What do you dislike about school?
I love everything at school. There’s nothing I don’t like.
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
I miss my mum and dad and playing with my toys.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I would like to be a space controller.
MORETON BAY COLLEGE
Moreton Bay College Early Childhood teacher Mrs Melanie Schaefer has been teaching for 27 years, 21 of those with Moreton Bay College Prep.
She said 2020 changed teaching for her because of the opportunity to use technology for keeping connections.
“Zoom meetings with Preps are something else,” Mrs Schaefer said.
“Students have a somewhat greater awareness of hygiene but Preps still need plenty of reminders. (They think if you did not see it, it did not happen).
“Also, if anyone coughs or sneezes, Preps ask, “Do you have the coronavirus?”
Mrs Robyn Waddingham also teachers Prep at the college.
“The students are curious, caring and think deeply. They are certainly more aware of hygiene when around their teachers and peers,” Mrs Waddingham said.
“Social distancing is a little harder with the younger learners.”
Name: Eden
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
Have to stay safe, we have to spread out and get germs inside us and get sick.
What do you love about school?
Playing with Kenzie
What do you dislike about school?
Doing music
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
My mum, dad and sister
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A scientist.
Name: Casey
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
Kind of a germ
What do you love about school?
My teacher and going to art lessons.
What do you dislike about school?
Rest time
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
I miss my dog
What do you want to be when you grow up?
An art teacher.
Name: Evie
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
We have to separate from each other
What do you love about school?
We get used to computers
What do you dislike about school?
Being dropped off by the pencils
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
My dog and cat
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A scientist.
Name: Rachael
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
It sometimes makes you die, if you don’t get to hospital.
What do you love about school?
My friends are here.
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
Miss from home? My toys.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be an artist, doing paintings about people.
Name: Emily
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
I think about people who have been sick and they need lots of help.
What do you love about school?
The computers and the iPads.
What do you dislike about school?
The time in lunch – the time is not that much.
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
I don’t get to go on my iPad.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A scientist and a robotics person who makes robots … and a singer.
Name: Ari
What do you think when you hear the word coronavirus?
People don’t like it, because you die.
What do you love about school?
I get to see my best friends.
What do you miss most from home when you are at school?
My Mum and Dad.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Doctor. I would check up on people.
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