21 May 2020
Mr William Bohanna, Senior Teacher (Teaching & Learning)
As we approach the end of the first full half term of virtual Woldingham, teaching and learning continues to thrive. This new approach has meant that as a community – students, staff and parents - we have had to learn and adapt to the current circumstances. Life has been challenging and we’ve all had to make changes. But this isn’t new. As St Madeleine Sophie Barat said, ‘Don’t be anxious about your interior storms; they are necessary, and the sea is calmer and more beautiful after the storm.’
Taking inspiration from this quote we are all living out our WOLD approach more than ever:
- we continue to work hard and make mistakes and, most importantly, learn from them
- we are maximising all virtual and new learning opportunities
- we clearly understand that learning is a life-long process, in all its many virtual forms
- above all else, we are determined to succeed.
For me, one of the most remarkable aspects is how much has continued: mini EPQ presentations have been made, internal assessments and exams have taken place, debating has continued and new approaches and initiative have launched. We now have a new REthink ‘Speakers’ Corner’ and daily PE challenges to mention just two. It’s clear that learning continues to evolve, innovate and thrive and even though we can’t be together in person we are together and united in our learning.
True resilience in the face of adversity is a measure of the strength of a community. And it’s evident that the innovative teaching and learning across the academic departments shows the immense strength of our Woldingham community. The message to all our girls remains ‘leave every lockdown lesson with more than you went in with…’
In this teaching and learning round-up not only are we focusing on some more of the academic departments – English, media studies, theology, history of art, politics and chemistry - but also on the key message to keep going and embrace the learning. As Mother Janet Stuart said, ‘Effective learning means arriving at new power, and the consciousness of new power is one of the most stimulating things in life.’
To read the update click here.