Connect

Students and staff will keep in touch through appropriate lines and methods of communication.

E.g. Google Classroom, Google Meet and email. This will be done to provide academic and pastoral support.

It is important to take time to video or voice call friends, as well as doing learning activities. Social friendships are key for everyone’s development and wellbeing.


Below are some examples of connecting, beyond the academic programme, from the second week of GHL (20th - 24th April).

Form times

  • Y7 - Tutors oversaw various activities including - quizzes, puzzles, competitions, survival guides and celebration of Earth Day. There was an Assembly on 'Gratitude not Grumbling'

  • Y8 - included a video on email etiquette, Google Meets with tutor and Head of Year, quizzes and ‘song of the day’.

  • Y9 - included a general knowledge quiz and learning about ‘email etiquette’

  • Y10 - including Google meet with some tutors and their forms, an audio assembly from HoY, quizzes in form time, pictures, interesting questions

  • Y11 - included a range of activities, such as virtual form time, a planet quiz to get the students thinking about Earth Day, and physical and dance challenges.

  • 6th Form - tutors in touch with students via email and Google Meet. A variety of interesting activities for tutors to choose from - including dance challenge, just a minute and quizzes.

PSHCE

Activities covered included

  • Sleep habits

  • Whole year group assembly on Google Meets

  • Fake news- checking stories and facts before running to conclusions

  • Headline generator game

  • Half term project on HOW MONEY WORKS, building on the ‘world of work’ - including budgeting, research and presentation skills.

  • Money - wage slips and understanding them.

  • Reflecting on new skills they have been developing or aspire to develop in the coming weeks.

  • TED talk and associated article on common barriers to staying motivated and the benefits of trying new skills.


Below are some examples of connecting, beyond the academic programme, from the first week of GHL.

Tutors and Heads of Year kept in touch with their students via email and/or Google Classroom.

Form times

  • Y7 - Tutors oversaw various activities - telling jokes, Pics of pets, scavenger hunts, explaining how they are exercising, things that make me happy, etc. on google classroom.

  • Y8 - Some have had Google Meetings, are there were various quizzes and jokes shared.

  • Y9 - an activity on 'doing one act of kindness'. Messages posted most days.

  • Y10 - sharing of pictures really encouraged communication.

  • Y11 - Things like 'thought of the day', 'riddle of the day' and 'pictures to sum up my day'. Also quizzes and questions were posted.

  • 6th Form - tutors in touch with students via email and available to engage.

PSHCE

Activities covered included

  • Designing form logo

  • Filming a movie

  • Listening to a Podcast about being positive

  • A house scavenger hunt.

  • A virtual supper party where students submitted a signature dish and recipe and photo - option to cook it and option to discuss air miles of food provenance

  • Mindfulness activities.

  • Careers - with research into differing careers and the A levels needed for each.

  • Using BBC Radio 4 in 4 website for tutors to choose from quizzes, short book reviews.

  • Suggestions of morale boosting activities e.g. 'fantasy dinner party' and 'my significant object'.