Crawford International Ruimsig welcomed their school learners back on Monday, 1 June, after almost three months of having to stay at home because of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent nationwide lockdown.
The school’s principal, Willem van Zyl, said to prepare for the learners’ return, they have implemented the health and safety measures as prescribed by the government regulations, and said,”Classrooms have been cleaned prior to opening and are cleaned between lessons and after school. The new normal includes screening learners, teachers and visitors daily, and regularly sanitizing classrooms, desks, door handles, computer and science equipment, as well as toys and educational equipment the pre-primary and preparatory learners use.
All learners have to wear masks at all times and practice social distancing both in class and outside. There are specific classroom protocols for teachers to follow. We have put in place significant restrictions for access to the school sites, and dropping off and collecting students are closely controlled.”
He added that they have staggered starts and ends to the day; staggered break time; extended days and platooning as required to keep the load on infrastructure well within the requirements. All learners will be educated and supervised to ensure all safety protocols are followed and adhered to.
Willem added that the impact of the pandemic was huge, and they were forced to explore a whole new platform of engaging their learners, which they did through online teaching. And, even though a lot of things have changed and there is a new normal to get used to, Willem assured parents and learners that they will continue to deliver the highest quality education, both online and in the classroom.
He concluded with a message to the Grade 7s and matrics, as well as their parents, saying, “We have been amazed by the resilience and tenacity that our students have shown during this period; the positive way in which they have embraced the lockdown and now the return to school to a whole new normal.
We have been so excited to see them on campus although still just from the safe 1,5m social distancing space. We would like to thank our parents for supporting us throughout this difficult time and allowing us the opportunity to engage their children through this online journey.
We also thank them for their trust in us to safeguard their children through the measures that we have put in place for the physical return to the campus.
“To the rest of the grades, who have not yet returned to school, he shared the following words of encouragement, “We are super excited to see each grade return to the campus but we will ensure that learning and teaching will continue through our online platform. The quality that we have delivered throughout the first six weeks of lockdown will continue until your safe return to the campus.”
Amy Smith, who is a Grade 7 English teacher, was very excited to be back at school. She said that she mostly kept busy during lockdown by preparing for the digital journey, while trying to minimise the impact of the pandemic.
“On an academic level, digital learning has provided a lifeline to our curriculum as we were able to cover many aspects of the curriculum and not lose too much time. On a personal level, the pandemic has made me a more patient and understanding teacher. I have become more organised and have grown greatly in terms of my technological abilities,” she explained.Amy said her preparations for the return to school included considering the items she needed to resume working safely, such as masks, face shields and hand sanitizer, but she also had to wrap her mind around how students would be taught effectively using the hybrid teaching model, and said, “How would I teach both face-to-face and online?”
She added that her focus during the first few weeks after learners returned to school would be on the hands-on aspects of the curriculum, and explained, “Essay-writing is a skill that is best taught face-to-face so that I can monitor each and every step of the writing process. This is a skill that needs to be developed as the Grade 7s progress into high school next year.”
Amy concluded with a message to the Grade 7s, and said, “I applaud your dedication to your education!”
To see some of the reactions on the return to school, watch the videos here:
https://www.facebook.com/MaragonRuimsig/videos/527376664600568/
https://www.facebook.com/MaragonRuimsig/videos/272132823837753/
