Activities such as assemblies, athletics carnivals, team sports, school photos and play dates with friends will no longer be taken for granted, as weeks of isolation have prompted parents and students to reflect on – and better appreciate – the things they love about school.

While school won’t be returning to “normal” just yet, with many activities still on hold and strict social distancing and hygiene measures in place, teachers say students from kinder to grade six along with those in grades 11 and 12 are excited to be returning to classes, ready to finish Term 2 alongside their peers.

The return is part of a staged approach – Year 7-10 students at government schools will return to classrooms on Tuesday June 9.

READ MORE:

• Teachers face significant task as students’ return nears
• Dates revealed for students’ school return

Catholic schools are following the state guidelines, however some may opt to welcome high school students back before June 9. Arrangements for independent schools are available on each school’s website.

Of course many students will be excited to be reunited with their teachers after weeks of learning online.

Today we recognise and celebrate the hard work of Tasmanian teachers, who were nominated by their students and colleagues as part of the Mercury’s Top Teachers campaign.

TASMANIA’S TOP TEACHERS: PART ONE

To nominate a Top Teacher, email their name, school and a brief description of why you think they are one of the state’s best right now to mercury.news@themercury.com.au

>> Best performing Tasmanian primary schools

>> Best performing Tasmanian high schools

>> Top tasmanian performers revealed

Scott MacCrum, Taroona High School

Providing a platform for connections

THE sudden switch to online education has been a steep learning curve for teachers, students and parents.

But Taroona High School teacher Scott MacCrum said it had also been a time of great encouragement and support within the wider school community which would help strengthen relationships as students prepared to return to classes.

The school, which has more than 1000 students, has been using a program called Canvas to stay in touch with pupils working from home in recent weeks.

“When we were aware of COVID-19 … our staff saw that there was a massive need to learn how to deliver course work online to our students,” the Year 8 teacher said.

“Our staff did not hesitate to learn the skills required … for quite a few staff this was a big learning curve.”

Mr MacCrum, who has been a teacher for 20 years, including seven years at Taroona, said staff worked long hours to build online skills and plan units of work for students.

His role has been to provide professional learning and support to teachers, students and parents, a job he has found rewarding. One of his students nominated him in the Mercury’s Top Teachers campaign.

“It has been wonderful to see such energy and enthusiasm from the school community around the use of online platforms such as Canvas,” Mr MacCrum, of Lenah Valley, said.

“For some years, we have known that online learning is important for students to remain engaged, connected and learn at school and at home and this pandemic has emphasised how important online learning is to teachers, students and parents.

“Our students and parents have been amazing during this time. They have shown great patience and have understood that teachers have been actively learning how to use online platforms.

“They know that their teachers care for them and want them to be learning and feeling connected during this time. We thank the parents and students for their positive and heartwarming feedback.

“I would also like to recognise all the teachers who have been working hard to ensure our students and families are feeling connected.”

Jo Banks-Smith, Fahan

Running with the challenge

WHEN you’re stuck at home during a pandemic, health and fitness is more important than ever.

The Fahan School’s senior sports co-ordinator, Jo Banks-Smith, has been singled out by an appreciative student, who says the teacher’s innovative fitness challenges during the coronavirus pandemic have been fantastic for keeping students moving and motivated to learn.

Student Eliza Stoksik, 13, is boarding at the Sandy Bay school from California in the USA.

“I nominate Mrs Jo Banks-Smith for providing us with constant fitness challenges over the school holidays and this term,” she said in her nomination letter.

“We had a burpee challenge, climb the steps challenge, and running challenges. When our House cross country could not be conducted as usual she organised courses of different lengths to challenge all of us and keep us active during quarantine and help us maintain some sort of normal.”

Mrs Banks-Smith said students were missing the chance to participate in team sports, so it was important to find other ways to have fun and keep active.

“One of the biggest things, I think, is healthy body, healthy mind,” she said.

“If the girls remain active they’ll feel better about themselves and be more productive.

“It’s great to see them work towards a goal and achieve that goal and pat themselves on the back.”

A teacher for 20 years, Mrs Banks-Smith attended Fahan as a student and returned to teach at the school two years ago.

She said it was wonderful to be nominated.

“It’s lovely,” she said.

“And I feel a bit embarrassed actually, because there are so many teachers at Fahan who do so many wonderful things … we’re part of a team.”

Anna Williamson and Ben Salmon, Hobart College

Going above and beyond for kids

WHEN homeschooling first began, there was a lot of enthusiasm from students.

But as the weeks ticked by, Hobart College teachers Ben Salmon and Anna Williamson both noticed a shift in energy levels.

They are pleased that students will be returning to school on Monday for more hands-on ways of teaching.

Both teachers have received nominations in the Mercury’s Top Teachers campaign, lauded for their caring and encouraging approach to learning while keeping students well connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms Williamson, from South Hobart, said students had enjoyed the flexibility of learning from home, but most were excited about returning to classrooms.
“I think most of them are really excited,” she said of her English, sociology and psychology students.

“A few are really liking online learning … they’re more comfortable in their own environment – the introverts are loving it. But I think mostly they’re looking forward to being back in the classroom.”

It’s her second year working as a teacher, but she has clearly adapted well to online learning, with colleague Donna Bergshoeff nominating her for “doing a fantastic job keeping connected to her students”.

“She gave these last seven weeks her all and she is an inspiration to us all,” Ms Bergshoeff said.

Meanwhile Mr Salmon, who teaches food subjects including a VET course in kitchen operations, agreed that students and teachers were keen to return to a more normal learning environment.

Originally from London, Mr Salmon met his Tasmanian wife overseas and they moved to the state almost four years ago – he’s been a teacher for eight years and this is his fourth year at Hobart College.

He has two children, 5 and 7, who are in kinder and Grade 2, so he has been homeschooling them from the family’s Kettering home when he’s not teaching his students.

“Oh my word, it’s tough when it’s your own kids,” he said. “It’s different when you’re the teacher, you have all these professional skills and have ways of working the class.”

He said online teaching was great, but was no substitute for in-class learning.

“It’s pretty tough trying to teach them online,” he said.

Student Daniel Baldwin nominated Mr Salmon, saying he’s “one of state’s best teachers” and “continues to assist all students above and beyond”.

Both teachers were honoured to be nominated.

“I think everyone deserves to be nominated really, everyone is working as hard as they can, including the kids … it’s a real team effort,” Ms Williamson said.

Kylie Whittaker, Kempton Primary

Crucial piece of the school puzzle

KEMPTON Primary School teacher Kylie Whittaker expects many Tasmanian students will feel emotional when they return to class on Monday.

“We’re not really sure what to expect,” she said.

“I think some of them will be quite emotional, they’ve been out of the school for quite some time.

“We’ll have lots of hands on deck to support their social and emotional wellbeing … I’m planning on doing lots of activities to get everyone back together again and help form relationships with the friends that they’ve missed so much.”

Ms Whittaker said one thing was certain – she’s feeling exciting about seeing lots of familiar little faces.

“I can’t wait,” she said.

Kempton Primary ordinarily has only 39 students enrolled from kinder to Grade 6, so with many at home due to COVID-19 in recent weeks the school grounds have been quiet.

The school has only three classes – a kinder/prep, a prep/one/two and a Grade 3-6 class and Ms Whittaker shares the teaching of children from kinder to Grade 2.

A teachers’ aide for many years, she returned to study to become a teacher and this is her first year on the job.

She is delighted to be at Kempton Primary, a school she attended as a child. A kinder mum nominated Ms Whittaker as a Top Teacher, saying the Brighton woman had put 100 per cent effort into the educational and emotional needs of students and their families during a difficult time.

“Nothing was ever too much or too hard, no time was too late or too early,” the nomination letter said. “Teaching is about passion and she has it in abundance.”

Ms Whittaker said she’d had great support from the school’s new principal this year, Alison Williams, and the rest of the staff. And she said parents had done an amazing job delivering lessons.

“I’m just a really small piece of the puzzle,” she said.