First of all, I would like to say a huge thank you to the many parents who have sent through such positive messages of thanks, encouragement and gratitude at this time. As we pull together to make sure that learning is easy to access, engaging and relevant, your support and kind words have been most sincerely appreciated.

As we embark on learning from home for a period of time, I am hoping that these key considerations for setting up a successful home learning environment will be helpful.

Establishing routines and expectations

• On Gateway you will be able to view your child’s timetable for their learning. This will include regular breaks for activity, eating and drinking. In the activity breaks, it is important that students get up and move around.
• From the first day working from home, it is important that you establish routines and expectations. Use the timetable provided by your class teacher to set regular hours for school work.
• Keep normal bedtime routines for younger children and expect the same from your older primary children too.
• It is important that you set expectations as soon as possible and not several days later otherwise it will be very difficult to go back and establish a learning routine. 

Setting up a learning environment

• Try to create a quiet and comfortable learning space. Your child may have a regular place for doing homework under normal circumstances, but this space may not be suitable when working for an extended period of time.
• The space for extended learning should be a public/family space and not in a bedroom.
• It should be a place that can be quiet at times and have a strong wireless internet signal, if possible.
• Above all, it should be a space where you or another adult is present and monitoring learning.

Communication

• I encourage you to start and finish each day with a simple check-in.
• These check-ins need to be a regular part of each day and start straight away.
• Not all children are going to thrive in a remote learning environment and some might struggle with too much independence or lack of structure. The check-ins will help to keep them on track.
• Class teachers will be communicating with your child at the start of the day and throughout the school day using the video chat application Zoom.
• Teachers will be sending messages through the Gateway newsfeed to let you know when children need to join the class so please do lookout for this.
• Please do not hesitate to contact class teachers for learning support or if you have any queries or questions.

Take care and stay safe and healthy.

Gail Mitchell, Head of Primary

 “Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Ephesians 6:10