ONLINE CHALLENGES

SCHOOLS across Townsville have been stepping up to the challenge of keeping students on track and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Teachers are working hard to ensure their programs give children a learning lifeline and a sense of normalcy.

Benjamin Tunnah is in Prep at St Clare’s Catholic School in Burdell and has been enjoying his learning from home with his sister, Georgia, 7, and brother, Daniel, 9.

Although Benjamin has missed his teacher and his friends, he has enjoyed the different activities and listening to stories online read by staff from St Clare’s.

Mum Kristie has also faced some challenges with online learning, such as juggling home learning of three different age groups all in one day.

“However there have been many positive aspects too,” she said.

“Knowing what the kids are learning, more time with each other, learning some new life skills, and not being so rushed with the daily schedule, to name but a few.”

St Joseph’s Catholic School Mundingburra has been using an online radio called “Joey’s Live” to connect home with school.

This has included a weekly live broadcast for assembly run by students, weekly prerecorded audio messages from each class teacher, weekly meditation, liturgies and a weekly Wednesday catch-up with reminder messages.

Principal Justen Orford said a weekly lunchtime disco was also taking place with online playlists for the students at home.

“It has been a great way to connect home with school and try to maintain some of our routines that we normally have each week,” Mr Orford said.

“It has been so successful that Joey’s Live will be an ongoing feature at the school with our students scripting and organising the radio schedule and live feeds in air.”

Ryan Catholic College acting deputy principal Erin Stafford agreed that it was inspiring to see how students had risen to challenges created by the pandemic.

“Although this period of time has certainly been challenging from an educational and organisational standpoint, it has been wonderful to see the growth in the students in their independence and their skills in the use of technology,” she said.

Holy Spirit Catholic School in Cranbrook is helping its students to stay active during

COVID-19. Physical education teacher Brenton Place has focused on healthy bodies with an emphasis on fitness for students and their families.

Using the school’s online platform, Mr Place has created videos of simple circuits for children at home and at school.

He has also incorporated family fitness activities such as walking the dog or going for a bike ride.

A busy father himself of two young children, Mr Place is conscious of the demands on parents’ time.

On Friday, May 8, students and staff wore blue to highlight the importance of wellbeing.

Students at school and at home are encouraged to wear blue and ask family members “Are you OK?”

ADAM EDWARDS, YEAR 12 WILLIAM ROSS STATE HIGH SCHOOL