Schools are at their most vibrant when they are full. The hustle and bustle of day to day life, the variation of activities taking place around the campus and the energy and enthusiasm that young people bring with them are a welcome tonic for teachers and staff reaching the final weeks of a long term. Suffice to say TIGS Senior School has felt very different this week as more and more families have chosen to self-isolate and the school-site has played host to a much-reduced cohort of students. Meanwhile in homes across the area, hundreds of TIGS students have been adapting to learning through a purely online environment. And at the same time families, many of whom have parents who are spending far more time at home than would normally be necessary, are working out day to day routines within the constraints of self-isolation and social distancing. These are strange days indeed.

And yet there is much that we should be grateful for. Here are just some of the things that have brought me joy this week:

• Our students – face to face as well as virtual interactions with our precious young people.
• The blue skies and the warmth of the sun each afternoon this week
• The emails and phone calls offering encouragement and support from throughout our community.
• Homemade strawberry guava jam
• And, of course, the amazing TIGS teachers and staff who have risen to the unprecedented challenges and complexities of this season with professionalism and resilience

I wonder what five things you would have on your list? Perhaps you could discuss and share them as a family this weekend?

With online learning now up and running throughout the week I wanted to close with some reminders about what is required of students.

• Each morning, lesson plans will be uploaded by teachers and students should continue to approach their online lessons in the same order and timeslot as they would if they were in school.
• Students should be at home and engaging in each of their lessons throughout the week. This is not only an important part of self-isolating but it will ensure that good learning habits and routines can be developed. These disciplined learning habits will be much needed if online learning is required for an extended period.
• Each lesson’s activities should last for between 30 – 45 minutes. This ensures that students have an opportunity for a 10 – 20-minute break between activities in which they can get some air, have a stretch and take a break from their laptop or device.
• Zoom calls will continue to feature in many lessons. It is of the utmost importance that students have read and adhere to the ‘Student Guidelines’ document sent out last week and available on OLLE.

Thank you for your ongoing support and feedback. Please be assured that your family and our TIGS community remain in my prayers.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”

Phil 4:6-7