Newcastle, Hunter schools now learning online, as parents navigate through the school year

For some parents the announcement of home schooling was a ‘sigh’ moment, but schools learnt from the first time around, making it easier for parents to navigate. Read their tips.

Parents across the Hunter had moments of anxiety when schools were thrust into lockdown and home schooling was once again back on the agenda.

Lambton mum-of-two Sarah Colston one of them, who felt that moment of dread.

“Slight dread, it’s scary,” she laughed.

The part time physiotherapist, whose partner continues full-time as a health worker, is doing some telehealth from home as she also manages seven-year-old Saskia and nine-year-old Isaac.

Sarah Colston with her kids Saskia and Isaac from Lambton. Sarah is on the P and C committee at Lambton Public School. Supplied.

“I really struggled last year because I was trying to work from home at the same time, and I told work I am very much going to step back, I can’t do both,” the school’s P and C committee member said.

This time around, the Lambton Public School students are thoroughly prepped for home schooling, however long it continues for.

“The school was prepping them beforehand which was helpful, teaching them to get on to google classroom, this time around they were much more ready, kids were excited and motivated to do things,” Ms Colston said.

“Last year my daughter couldn’t read so it was significantly harder than this year where she can read her work.”

The biggest challenge for her kids, not seeing their friends every day.

“It is quite emotional for them. We’re having the emotional rollercoaster, missing their friends and wanting to talk to them on kiss messenger and wanting to do it all,” she said.

“Both very social creatures so been a big change.

“I’ve learn some rules from last time and what the expectations are of myself and the children are and we’re taking it a little bit slower this time.

“No pressure just do what we can do.”

Meanwhile, after an incredibly stressful time last year for Merewether mum Liz managing her three children at home and a full time job, this time around things seem to be running much more smoothly, at least for now anyway.

“The school has had done a great job preparing the kids, they had already done some dry runs on zoom and programs they needed to access, making it easy for transition and making the kids comfortable,” she said.

Her three children, Evelyn in year 5, Sophia in year 7 and Daniel in year 8, are students at Newcastle Grammar School.

Most the curriculum is set up online, with parents playing support roles as they navigate school life through lockdown.

“We’re in a sweet spot, the eye of the storm because I know a lot of people with younger kids who are having a really difficult time because their kids require so much more interaction,” Liz said.

“My kids are quite independent, and not quite old enough where the academic side is super stressful.

“Makes your life a lot easier. But you might get a difference response after 10 days.”

And ensuring the fridge is always stocked.

“Keeping up enough food in the house, constant food delivery from the kitchen,” Liz laughed.

“I think they think a movement break is moving out to the kitchen.”

Her main worry is when her kids return to school.

“I’m apprehensive about it, what it means for school kids when we start to open up again,” she added.

“These young school kids won’t be vaccinated and I feel like we’re throwing the kids under the bus, kids will be forced back out into the world and they’re not going to be vaccinated.”

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Full steam ahead for Hunter schools

It was inevitable schools would have to send kids home, students thrust into home schooling yet again, the second time of Covid-19 madness.

But local schools have got their game face on, fully prepared and ready to roll after the announcement last week.

While it’s daunting and both challenging for parents, as they navigate their way through and some pulling out their hair, the message from schools is, there’s plenty of support.

The Newcastle News also asked a few principals to highlight some of their top tips for home schooling, to get them through.

Erica Thomas – Head of Newcastle Grammar School

One of the main lessons is parents don’t be too hard on yourself.

“Parents don’t have to get everything right, there can be days where teachers find it hard in a classroom and days where parents will find it hard at home,” Ms Thomas said.

“For young children focus on wellbeing, literacy and numeracy, the teacher is there with them and it makes a huge difference to parents.

“Primary and secondary each have a timetable and most students, especially at high school, are quite independent.”

TIPS:

* Set up a really good home learning space. Don’t let children work on their bed, they need to be sitting up

* Get them into a routine. They have to be in roll call at their usual time

* Wear part of the uniform. This helps them think about where they are for the day

* Physical activity is important. Get your child outside, it’s not time to watch something on another screen, it’s time to move around outside.

* Ask them questions at the end of the day. What went well? What was interesting? What was challenging? It keeps focusing the child back on what is really important, staying in touch and being engaged.

Pam O’Dea – Principal, St Philip’s Christian College, Newcastle

Principal O’Dea understands trying to support kids during home schooling is difficult and can be challenging, but is asking parents to do the best they can.

“You don’t have to be involved in every moment of their schooling because when at home they’ve usually got work to do,” she said.

The lockdown may have been announced suddenly, but St Philip’s Christian College were working hard to ensure their students were well prepped.

“We got the news Thursday and by Friday morning we had everyone online activated,” Ms O’Dea said.

“K-4 do zoom and have work booklets. They have three sessions reading 30 minutes, physical ed takes them through fun activities through zoom, so throughout the day there is lots of activities for them to do.

“5-12, we have a learning management system, zoom lessons, independent learning. We have students involved in a range of things so it doesn’t become tiresome or too much time on the computer.

“We’ve had a lot of positive response from parents saying they feel much more supported.”

Students are also required to wear school tops to get them in the learning zone.

“So they have this mindset of learning, not thinking about laying around the house doing what they want but rather I’m entering into learning, I’m participating and then I can have a break,” she added.

“Those things have really helped the mindset and focus.”

“Also wellbeing sessions, not feeling isolated and alone, rather positively encouraged, build their confidence.”

Sharon Sopher – Principal Belmont Christian College

These days our kids are better with technology than we are, making it a little easier for some parents to navigate through home schooling.

“No matter how young, children are really good at using devices, they can jump online and do tasks, often the teacher is there helping them, but sometimes they are set at home tasks as well,” Ms Sopher said.

But one thing she’s advised parents to do, is make sure kids have a break from their devices.

“Children need to have some fun, do something out in the backyard, get outside for a moment and then come back on and do a zoom lesson or a google classroom approach,” she said.

“Let kids be kids, to not have expectations that are too high.

“I think its important parents realise it is what it is and same for teachers, we’re just going to focus on the main things and some things we can focus on later when it is a time better suited.”

Helpful tips for students:

* Choose your learning space wisely. Set yourself up in an environment that will help you to learn best.

* Dress in appropriate casual clothing when participating in a ‘live lesson’.

* Be trustworthy with teacher content and your classmates. Don’t take screenshots or record without permission.

* Communicate with your teacher during school hours

* Attempt to complete all set work to the highest standard and within the set time frame.

* Try to develop a routine. Time to learn, time to eat, time for rest and play.

Suzanne Bain – Principal Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College, Fletcher

Maintain routine and order, that’s the best tip from principal Bain.

“Keeping things moving in a normal way is the best,” she said.

“Keep them busy and working through the day, just like they would normally.”

Working under Microsoft Teams at Bishop Tyrrell, teachers stay with students for their entire lessons online.

It worked for them last year when schools moved to online learning.

“We did very well last time because we have a really highly competent teaching staff in IT, so they adapted to it well, our parents were really happy with the timetable routine,” Ms Bain said.

“I think they need to be motivated by being with their peers online and talking to the teacher, rather than been given set work.

“Then when it’s the lunch break, they can have the time off but would have to be back in class afterwards.

“We’re excited about the work teachers are doing, with great feedback from parents.”

With one of the best tips not just for students, but all of us working from home.

“We should all get off zoom at 4pm,” Ms Bain laughed.