Dear Parents
My main newsletter item today is in the form of a short video which you will find embedded in this newsletter. However, I would also like to add a couple of other items considering the extended lockdown.
Firstly, thank you to all our families who have expressed gratitude to the teachers for their efforts during this time. Positivity results in greater yield for all involved, particularly throughout such times that are challenging for everyone. I would also like to express my gratitude to our parents who are making a huge effort to do their best for their own children. As I have expressed in the video, we can only do the best that we can while being kind to ourselves.
A question I have been asked by a handful of parents is, “Are we going to do daily online lessons as some other schools are doing?” My answer is no for a variety of reasons. Primarily, it is a matter of sustainability and balance; balancing families with 2 or 3 children, balancing parents who are working from home and having to assist and supervise their children, a balance for the teachers who are preparing and marking work, ringing families, hosting Zoom calls and dealing with their own families. We need a balance between onscreen time, creativity and downtime. Research is now referring to Computer Vision Syndrome, a repetitive visual strain injury caused by excessive screen time. This is something I am sure we all want to avoid.
I hope you take this weekend to switch off from the pressures of the week and make the most of the warm weather, sunshine and the beautiful environment in which we live
God bless,
Michael Gallagher
Principal
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