Faced with the uncertain situation in which we find ourselves, we are all learning to adapt to a new way of working, studying, and relating to others. We all miss having contact with people we would normally see, but we also have to make the most of things to get the best possible learning while we’re in this situation.
The whole community of St. George knows this, and remain united, from a distance, to support each other and offer the best of each other, to put into practice their values and to value the things that really matter. It is even allowing many people to get to know themselves better, to spend more time together. They, parents, students and teachers, have wanted to tell us how they are living this vital experience.
From the point of view of Nick Johnson, coordinator of the English Department and English teacher of IB Diploma, “no one can deny that this has been a uniquely challenging experience. This period has been a learning process for us all; we’ve had to adapt, develop our skills and change the way we engage with our students and parents.
We often throw the word community around, but one of the most overwhelmingly positive experiences of virtual learning has been the strength of the St George learning community. Our students have attacked their online lessons and independent work with incredible maturity, a great deal of resilience and a huge amount of compassion.
Attendance is consistent, the influx of student work constant and teacher and student interaction is thriving. And yet, without the students physically in front of us in classrooms, we rely on the support of our families to make all of this possible. The lockdown we’ve been living in is temporary, but the attributes our community has demonstrated are long lasting: we are a strong team collaborating together, we are flexible and can rise to any challenge and we are proud.”
For his part, Álvaro, a Year 8 student, tells us that “the experience of learning from home is being very positive. We continue to move forward with our subjects, but above all we are learning to organize ourselves and manage time.
We connect daily with each teacher, we have online classes where the teacher explains and we participate, organize the work of each subject and take exams. What I like is that I keep in touch with my friends and we do group work and presentations. Sports, music or art challenges are also organized for the entire school.
What I miss is playing the games with the school football team. The teachers are helping us a lot and that is why we have quickly adapted to the new way of teaching. Even so, I would very much like to return to school as soon as possible.”
For her part, Alicia shares her experience as the mother of several children at St. George’s School: “It is not easy to be a mother of three children with online school, it is not. Especially when you have three little ones of different ages and you have to take care of the house and your own work, and your boss does not understand about personal circumstances.
The truth is that once the first days when the novelty surpassed us all, the adaptation has been fantastic, from our point of view. Teachers are applying and using technological advances in ways that motivate children to continue learning, strengthening the new system as a solution to the limitations that traditional teaching finds in its path. A method that would not have worked without the dedication, love and enormous effort that all our teachers, assistants are putting into it.All the school staff, actually.
Children are a treasure. And we have never realized this so abruptly before. They are strong, brave and are knowing how to adapt to the situation better than anyone. They are disciplined, responsible and aware of the historical situation they have had to live.
They miss going to school a lot and are looking forward to seeing their friends and teachers again, but there is no doubt that they do not miss the course, because, apart from everything they continue to learn day by day, the life lesson they are receiving will be kept in their backpack forever.
The values of St. George are more present than ever these days, behind the screens of each and every member of our Community and we can be proud of it”.
We offer our sincerest congratulations to St. George, a school that has been able to adapt to the current unexpected situation and bring out the best in each of us at this difficult time. From a distance, the Community of St. George is closer than ever.
Article published on Lamoraleja.
