Paul Arnel, principal St Joseph's Primary School, spoke to the club reflecting on the school community over the last two years.
Started on high anxiety, with school closed, called on all resources, issuing lap-tops. Youngest staff members showed prowess with technology and ability to stay connected.
Role of school shifted from academic to social and connectiveness for students and families.
Best possible staff managing own family life, managing students on-line and assisting their families.
Rotated staff through lockdowns, rotating students and families through school.
Families that had been struggling, struggled more through COVID. Tried different strategies to maintain links, providing food hampers, games and social contact, with focus on social aspect.
Frustration towards the end with families sick of home learning.
On return, students had to cope with masks, air-purifiers and cleaning.
A year and a half on, students found it difficult to fit in, extra staff engaged to assist students struggling.
Vigilant in practices, conservative, flexible and adaptive and always hopeful.