News From Week Four- Remote Teaching and Learning

Week Four

It is hard to believe that we have already completed four weeks of remote learning. We understand the challenges that the current restrictions present and we are grateful to our school community for their great effort and co-operation as we work together to provide continuity of learning for our students at this time. Health and wellbeing are paramount and we have been grateful for your feedback regarding your experience of remote learning in the home. We want you to know that we have a number of arrangements in place to support student wellbeing at this time:

• Ms. Hynes our Guidance Counsellor is providing support counselling to students requiring one-to-one support.
• Our psychotherapist, Susan, is continuing to engage with students requiring therapy and is meeting students within the guidelines of what is permitted under level 5 restrictions.
• Year Heads are tracking and monitoring student engagement and following up with students on a one-to-one basis every day by phone or by messaging on Teams. This is in a supportive and pastoral manner to encourage students to connect in.
• The Deputy Principal is liaising with parents around wellbeing concerns and coordinating supports from within our team.
• Our Special Needs Assistants are connecting in with students daily to support them around organisational skills, time management and wellbeing. They are also calling students simply to provide motivation and support.
• Exercise is very important at this time and Ms. Thakarar is continuing to engage with students providing a weekly programme of physical education.
• Jigsaw, the agency which supports youth mental health is continuing to provide talk therapy. Information about how you can access their supports are available at this link:https://jigsaw.ie/talk-online/
• If you have concerns about your daughter’s wellbeing and would like to speak to us, please do not hesitate to email your daughter’s Year Head or call the main office and request a call back. We will happily help in whatever way we can.
• The Department of Education has provided the following guidance document for parents: A Guide for Parents on supporting children and young people with daily routines while schools are closed. It can be downloaded HERE
• The HSE has put together a resource pack to support you and your family's wellbeing. The pack can be accessed HERE

Survey

Thanks to all the parents and students who participated in our online survey regarding remote teaching and learning. You're feedback has been very helpful and we have refined our plan based on your responses. We are happy that over 90% of respondents note an improvement in engagement in this lockdown and are satisfied with communication. We also note the concerns regarding prolonged screen time and student work load. To that end, we have made the following changes to our plan:

• Live classes are reduced to 45 minutes duration to provide off-screen time for students between lessons.
• Teachers will reduce the amount of homework and project work being assigned.
• Teachers will make clearer their schedule of on-line classes and avoid cancellations.
• As a wellbeing measure, some non-examination classes have been cancelled to provide students with off-screen time to go for a walk or catch up on assigned work off screen.
• Teachers and SNAs are available on request to support students on a one-to-one basis. Please contact us if you would like your daughter included.
• Our guidance counsellor is available on request to provide support counselling to students.

We thank you again for your participation and support.

Career Guidance

Many thanks to Ms Hynes who continues to provide career guidance to our students during lockdown. 6th year students have been busy applying to the CAO which was due on February 1st - we wish all the girls well in their college applications.

Three girls from TY (Hannah, Sofia and Emma) will be doing work experience in DCU at the beginning of March. It will be for one week. TY Uni Week is a chance for students who have missed out on work experience opportunities to learn about services and faculties in DCU that interest them. Students' “assignment” for the week will be to create a presentation on their assigned faculty by meeting staff and students, attending workshops and learning to research and work independently. Students will also get the opportunity to learn about other courses and departments within DCU. Practical skills will involve learning to use googles suite of software ,google sheets, docs and slides. You will get to attend workshops on how to research topics, interview people, give presentations and deal with questions and roadblocks.

Past pupil Erin Barry gave a very insightful talk to our students on Thursday evening about her journey into Primary teaching. Well done to all the girls who attended the session. This series will resume on Thursday, February 25th at 8.30pm. Our next guest will focus on all things creative.

Transition Year

TYs enjoyed a great online dance workshop on Monday, with Emma from Seán Gilligan school of performance. Well done to all the girls for getting active at this time.

Students have completed their option choices for 5th Year. Options will be communicated after Easter.

Guidance on Supporting your Daughter's Daily Routine

Take a look at ten tips from the Department’s National Educational Psychological Service for parents on supporting your child’s daily routine.