Wellingtonians love a bit of distance learning
The 11 March mandate to switch to distance learning was abrupt but not unexpected. In fact, our teachers and staff, under the guidance of our Educational Technology Team, have spent a long time preparing for such an event. For the past two years, staff and pupil efficacy in using technology have taken top priorities at Wellington. The integration of educational technology has been pivotal in how we create engaging, inclusive and interactive learning experiences. “At the start of 2021, with the school closure, Wellington identified a significant need for age-appropriate online platforms and digital portfolios to enable our pupils to access work and resources outside the classroom,” says Victoria Doamekpor, Director of Educational Technology.
Educational technology is now firmly embedded across Wellington’s core subjects and is essential to a successful distance learning programme. We have had plenty of time to learn since the last school closure. As a result, our teachers and pupils were ready to adapt to it almost immediately.
Our Early Years Pupils have been sharing their daily experiences in pictures and videos on the Tapestry platform. Our pupils in years 1 – 4 have been using the Seesaw app. This tool enables the children to document what they are learning and to share this journey via multimedia. It has been used as an e-portfolio where they can learn to create work digitally, store and file it in folders and reflect on their learning using self and peer assessment. For our older pupils, Microsoft Teams has been an essential tool, and because we are a Microsoft 365 school, they have access to the full suite of applications so they can collaborate and take responsibility for their own learning.
These tools and this moment have taught them invaluable communication and organisational skills as well as digital competence. Teachers had long since moved their school communications systems almost exclusively to Teams, so by the time distance learning was mandated, the transition was a natural extension of what has already long been happening within the classrooms.
Here are some highlights of what our pupils have been up to in distance learning for the past week.
Head of Senior School
“I cannot thank our Senior School teachers enough for spending a lot of the weekend getting ready and continuing to create the best opportunities for all our pupils. However, it is our pupils who have made this a pleasure for so many of our teachers. Their humour and great manner have helped significantly to create online classrooms that are purposeful and focused but also fun. I have been so pleased to hear of the great learning that has taken place as well as the many funny stories that have emerged from so many classes across the Senior School.”
Kate McNeil
Deputy Head of Prep School
“I attended a Prep Heads of Department meeting yesterday, and there was a flurry of ideas and considerations for developing the pupil experience. There was much consideration about care for the wellbeing of all in our community as well. We should all be very proud of the achievements so far — adapting so quickly despite challenges of lockdowns, internet connections and juggling multiple tasks.
We are so extremely proud of our Prep pupils too. Attendance and engagement has been high and so has their willingness to learn and contribute. The way that Wellington pupils have adapted and coped has been truly remarkable!”
Barbara Faria
Head of Early Years
“We are seeing such a high level of engagement at the Early Years Centre. 98% percent of our children are attending most of our sessions every day. Our ‘wake up, shake up’ sessions are a fun way to encourage some movement early in the day, and we have seen parents and even grandparents getting involved!
It is wonderful to see so many Tapestry videos and photographs of the children doing art, cooking and cleaning, dancing and singing, and learning how to recognise and attempt to write Chinese characters. Most children have been doing a lot of writing at home, and we hope they are enjoying their one-on-one sessions with their teachers.”
Lest we forget our wonderful community of parents in this shared love of distance learning...
Lavonda
Early Years parent
“Very well done and big thanks to Mr Furlong and Mrs Mutreja as well as other teachers and colleagues behind the scenes. It’s really inspiring seeing kids welcoming each other by calling their name and seeing our teachers engaging with kids remotely.
As the COVID situation escalated quickly, this has been disruptive and distressing for all of us. Yet, I do appreciate Wellington’s quick adaptation, strong collaboration, and great patience during the time.”
Lai-Har
Prep School parent
“My kids have had a good week online, very well organised and a good balance of live and offline especially for year 4. Kids felt well prepared. As a parent, I also appreciated not receiving lots of emails during the week — our parent representative sent a few brief WeChat reminders, which were great. Also thought it was good to have a focus on well-being: Year 4s did a session on how to make others happy.”
A Wellington Welcome
Wellington is taking rolling applications for the 2021-22 academic year and inviting future Wellingtonians to join us for tailored campus tours for 2022 entry.
Children and young adults applying for our Senior School (years 9 through 13) and Academic Scholarship programmes are encouraged to visit and experience Wellington first-hand.
For those interested, please complete a registration form by scanning below QR code.
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