The kindergarten cohort at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Primary School Austral had just got settled into their ‘big school’ routines when the latest COVID-19 lockdown came into effect.
School principal, Lea De Angelis, acknowledged it’s been tough for the school’s youngest group moving to remote learning when they are just barely used to being in a classroom.
She said staff at St Anthony have worked hard to ensure the transition has been as smooth as possible for everyone.
“Remote learning is difficult for everyone, especially for Kindergarten students and their families who had just fully settled into the routines of school before everything changed,” Ms De Angelis said.
“We know that more than anything, small children miss the social interactions they have with their friends and teachers each day” – Principal Lea De Angelis
Ms De Angelis said Seesaw was the main tool used for remote learning in Kindergarten, “as students are well versed in using the platform during normal class time.”
“Students can post their responses to tasks with teachers providing feedback everyday,” she said.
“Zoom is used a few times each week in order to allow students to interact with each other and with their teachers.”
Ms De Angelis thanked and praised all her parents for handling the challenges of homeschooling “wonderfully.”
“We understand that many parents are also working from home while supervising remote learning,” Ms De Angelis said.
“We emphasise the importance of wellbeing – taking regular breaks and only completing the tasks which are manageable for both students and parents” – Ms De Angelis
About St Anthony of Padua Catholic College Austral
Writing over zoom
St Anthony of Padua Catholic College Austral is the only comprehensive Preschool to Year 12 Catholic school within the beating heart of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
The co-educational school is being built in five stages on a picturesque 10.9-hectare parcel of land within the newly revitalised community of Austral.
“Our parents have been told that teachers are trained to ‘fill the gaps’ in learning, and that is what we will do when we return to normal classroom routines,” Ms De Angelis said.
By: NIKOLA POZDER
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St Anthony of Padua Catholic College is enrolling now. Click here to start your child’s learning journey.
