Saint James Catholic School at Yamba have shared what being back at school has been like for both the students and staff.

Principal Ann Dawson said that it has been seven weeks since every staff member began offering offsite support to remote learners.

“We are very excited to have all children back onsite, but we need to celebrate too,” Ms Dawson said.

“We are so very proud of the students as learners, their families for working with a new learning style and the teachers who as one demonstrated their adaptive learning skills and developed a rich and rigorous curriculum in the blended learning environment during the offsite time.

“Remote learning gave us an opportunity to reflect on what really matters in education and as we welcome the children back to site, we are reminded of our four goals.

1. Keep all children connected with one another at this time.
2. Take the pressure off families by us working with the children.
3. Celebrate anything and everything with your children and you.
4. Set achievable amounts of work for all children.

“Being back on site at school is wonderful and we look forward to learning with the children and to maintaining the best elements of the remote learning pedagogies as we move forward.

“This is already evident, with our Stage One children ‘Zooming’ residents of Caroona yesterday to interview them regarding how they packaged food in the past.

“Our Stage Two and Three students completed an online workshop with a local author as part of the wonderful Long Way Home writing project, of which Saint James is a great supporter.

“These community connections are already enhanced. There is much to celebrate,” she said.