Holmwood House School Newsletter

Dear Parents

I can't quite believe another week has gone by since I wrote to you in last week's newsletter. I sense it was a slightly easier week for you and your children as you all get used to the technology. I know some struggle with the challenges of connectivity, the need for careful organisation and the frustration of several aspects of the learning process, but keep going; it is very much worth it.

Everyone is ready for the weekend and next week being only 4 days will give us all a bit of a breather from the intensity of online learning. Do encourage your children to do as many things un-screen-related as possible; their brains need a couple of days seeing shapes other than rectangles! The weather looks to be returning to mild, sunny days, so Vitamin D and fresh air is the order of the day!

As you know, there is no clarity regarding when and how schools will re-open and we are not wasting time and energy second guessing this matter. However, we are making tentative plans for the rest of the term based on two scenarios, remaining closed and re-opening. Some of the issues under discussion are as follows:

Assessment - all years
Assessment - Year 8 Holmwood House Certificate
Transition to next school year or next schools
Farewell to our Year 8 pupils and other leavers
Speech Day and other celebrations

We envisage reporting of pupils' progress to parents to be mainly quantitative, rather than asking teachers to write detailed written reports. The level and quality of monitoring and feedback is high and pupils are, in general, responding well. We will share more information regarding this area in due course.

Sustainability remains our priority at this stage. The changes we have started to make this week are having a positive effect and with the change to how work is submitted in most year groups, this will help a great deal.

A quick word about pupil wellbeing. If, occasionally, your child does not engage with the learning or is clearly screened out, it is not the end of the world! It is better to go with the flow occasionally than to cause added stress in the household. Teachers will understand if you email them to let them know that it's all become a bit too much for a child. Obviously this cannot be the norm, but to relieve your stress and to maintain your child's wellbeing, you may sometimes have to make that call.

Thank you again for your support and understanding.

Have a lovely weekend.

With best wishes

Alexander Mitchell
Headmaster