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Hi, welcome to our latest episode of Remarks & Reflections, a podcast offering insights into topics that are important to the Hillbrook community and the broader worlds of education and parenting. I’m your host, Head of School Mark Silver, and I invite you to join us for what we hope are lively conversations about a whole range of ideas and issues that connect with our vision – to inspire children to achieve their dreams and reach beyond themselves to make a difference in the world.
I am podcasting today from my home, at the end of week two of our distance learning program. It has been a challenging two weeks for all of us, and I wanted to start by expressing my appreciation for the community – employees, students, families – and how we have all come together to support each other at this difficult moment. The flexibility, grace, and good humor that people have shown has been inspiring. Our primary focus is twofold – to keep students and families connected and to continue, as effectively as possible through remote learning, the same learning that would have happened if school were in session. There have certainly been a number of bumps in the road and we are continuing to iterate quickly to make improvements to the structures and systems in place.
Resource from this Podcast:
- Connectedness: Keep touch with your friends and teachers. We are all in this together and can be a great source of support for each other. Your friendships reach far beyond this moment in time.
- Curiosity: What are your friends doing to stay resilient and motivated. What are they doing to stay active and keep learning? What are your other friends and family doing? What can you learn from them?
- Communication: Keep talking to each other, there are days when you’ll feel demotivated or anxious about the current situation. Talk to your family and friends, share your thoughts and feelings and be there for others who may need you. Communicate your goals. What are you working on? You are far more likely to achieve them if you share them with others.
- Control: This is a time in our lives where we have very little control over what we can do and we have to abide by strict guidelines. Focus on what you can control, your daily routine, your diet, your school schedule, your training schedule and celebrate your personal achievements each day.
- Change Acceptance: Try not to resist this new normality. It’s very frustrating to not be able to learn and have fun with your teachers and friends. Accept this rather than fight it and remain positive. Imagine how much more we’ll appreciate each other when the school re-opens.
- Clarity of Focus: Remain focused on what you would like to achieve during this time. Use it as an opportunity. Set goals each week in any subject or part of life that you’d like to develop. We have the gift of more time, how are you going to fill it?
- Confidence: It’s easy to lose confidence when you don’t have the face to face support of teachers around you. Believe in yourself, believe in each other, we are all here. Make use of technology and reach out if you need any support.
- Creativity: Create a schedule for yourself and make sure it’s something you can get excited about. Use Hillbrook content, watch some motivating youtube clips of people that inspire you and draw up a plan that keeps things challenging and interesting. By keeping things fresh you’ll be more likely to maintain your motivation.