Schools prepare to rethink, resume classes

SOUTHERN schools are ready to get back to work, but planning and preparedness is at different levels across the region’s areas, age groups and deciles.

Many schools spoken to yesterday were focused on structuring an online and offline environment where pupils and parents could access worksheets, assignments and activities.

Videoconferencing software such as Zoom and Google Classroom were going to be popular online platforms, while emails and texts between school staff and parents were relied on to provide crucial updates and information, schools said.

Most schools had some pupils who were unable to access online learning from home.

For those pupils, physical worksheets and phone calls from teachers would be used until devices could be delivered by the Government.

Schools did not know how far away the devices were, but principals hoped they would be delivered within a week.

Primary school principals said their aim was to try to keep pressure off parents, as some were feeling they had to become the teachers during lockdown.

Otago Primary Principals’ Association president and Tainui School principal Shelley Wilde said schools would use different approaches to learning, in keeping with Ministry of Health guidelines and resources.

Tainui School would provide ‘‘broad, flexible distance learning at home’’.

‘‘We don’t have an expectation that they have to sit in front of a laptop for five or six hours.’’

Bathgate Park Park School principal Katrina Robertson said the school had organised set times when different classes would be online, and pupils could opt in if they had the resources.

‘‘We’re expecting to see a different structure for every family bubble, and teachers are working behind the scenes on phone calls and supporting more vulnerable families.’’

Access to the internet was identified as the biggest potential issue by most southern schools spoken to; Mrs Robertson said about a third of families at her school needed devices.

North Otago Primary Principals' Association president and Glenavy School principal Kate Mansfield said while the Government was working to deliver modems to households and devices to pupils who needed them, she expected the primary sector would probably be the last ones to receive them.

‘‘Reading, chores, and calling a grandparent . . . this whole lockdown is learning for them.’’

Secondary schools faced similar challenges, but appeared to be implementing more structure for pupils — NCEA was still supported and going ahead in the schools spoken to.

Otago Girls' High School principal Linda Miller said pupils were expected to follow a 9am to 3pm schedule, with some room for flexibility if needed.

While some subjects and standards of NCEA could not be assessed as they normally would, alternatives were being found.

“As an example in drama, instead of watching a live play they will view one online,” she said.

St Kevin’s College principal Paul Olsen said all NCEA level assessments would still go ahead, as would scholarship subjects, Cambridge examinations and university papers on offer.

‘‘We are confident that our students will have plenty of rich opportunities to keep up with their learning over this challenging time.’’

— Additional reporting Rebecca Ryan, Karen Pasco and Jared Morgan