A smooth transition to Virtual School at BIS

A smooth transition to Virtual School at BIS On Tuesday morning, our teachers and support staff were already set-to-go for Virtual School. Although we would always rather be teaching face-to-face, we all understand safety comes first and so our second phase of Virtual School begins. Our average attendance of over 96% across the school shows how students of all ages have made this seamless switch into an alternate way of learning.

Term 3, is often a time in the school year, when across the whole school we start to think about transition: be it from one year group to the next, moving from Primary into Secondary or graduating school altogether. On Tuesday morning, our teachers and support staff were already set-to-go for Virtual School. Although we would always rather be teaching face-to-face, we all understand safety comes first and so our second phase of Virtual School begins. I understand for parents, this change can come with challenges too, but we’ve been extremely impressed with our students’ attendance. Our average attendance of over 96% across the school shows how students of all ages have made this seamless switch into an alternate way of learning.  

Feedback is a gift  

Technology continues to evolve and there are always new tools, apps and platforms that teachers integrate into teaching and learning to enhance and ensure maximum participation. In a Year 9 maths lesson this week, Ms. Thomas used virtual whiteboards to engage students. This powerful tool allows teachers to provide instant feedback to individual students in the Virtual Classroom, just as they would in school. We understand the importance of instant feedback to students as it enables students to move on in their learning. In addition, it develops their confidence and passion for learning and finally, it enables them to evaluate their own work.  

Enriching the curriculum  

Our ECA program also moved to a Virtual Platform this week with the PE department offering a range of after-school sports activities to help get our students moving at the end of the day. Yoga, Aerobics, Cardio work-out, to name a few, all help to ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of our students; these are increasingly important when we may currently find ourselves moving and going out less. From our Performing Arts team, students in Primary joined in activities such as Ms. Bevan’s Dance Break and Ms. Kirk’s Musical Moments; exciting opportunities to sing, make music and burn off some energy. It was wonderful to see some parents joining in with these activities too!  

Over the week, I am sure you will have all been keeping a close eye on the developments of the latest outbreak of COVID-19. Additional safety measures have been put in place to ensure we all remain safe at this time. It is likely that we will remain in Virtual School again next week, but I will be touch with you all directly as soon as we receive further official updates.  

Wishing you all a wonderful, screen-free weekend. Stay safe.