School of 15 students at Christmas Hills makes ‘seamless’ transition to remote learning
A school of just 15 students, tucked away in remote bushland in Melbourne’s outer northeast, is overcoming notoriously slow internet speeds with a “very effective” solution. And it’s helping them master distance learning.
North
Don't miss out on the headlines from North. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Hidden among gums and open fields in remote Nillumbik, Melbourne’s smallest school and its students are overcoming poor internet connection to master distance learning.
Christmas Hills Primary School acting principal Jacqui Abrahams said internet dongles, Google Classroom and video conferencing tool Webex had all played crucial roles in making the process “seamless”.
She said the school’s 15 students were reaping the benefits after teachers worked “tirelessly” throughout the previous school holidays preparing for this term’s remote learning demands.
“Every day the kids take photos or videos of their work and upload that onto Google Classroom,” Ms Abrahams said.
“Almost straight away teachers can provide feedback and that is crucial to the child’s learning.
“We might be a very small school but it means we know our kids so well and can help them with very personalised learning regime.”
Ms Abrahams said students were video conferencing their teachers every day, and their fellow pupils once a week.
“It’s important we keep the kids well connected with their teachers and classmates,” she said.
“Their faces light up every time they see each other — it’s wonderful to see and we want to keep those good spirits up.”
While the remote corners of Christmas Hills are notoriously known for poor internet connectivity, Ms Abrahams said the school had a “very effective” solution.
“Internet dongles by the Department of Education are provided on a needs basis and so far they have been an exceptional tool in combating slow internet,” she said.
“While we are a very small school in a remote community, it’s important to remind parents considering places for their kids in 2021 that small schools can still operate just as effectively — there are many benefits.”
MORE NEWS
HOW THIS HURSTBRIDGE KITCHEN IS FEEDING PEOPLE IN LOCKDOWN
NILLUMBIK RATES COULD RISE THREE PER CENT, COUNCILLORS WARN
GREENSBOROUGH ELECTRONICS ‘PIONEER’ REMEMBERED
When asked about whether the State Government should consider reopening Victorian schools, Ms Abrahams said she had to respect current recommendations.
“At the moment we have to follow the advice from the chief health officer,” she said.
“We are doing the best we can in this challenging period and students are being kept well connected and that’s all we can ask for.”