Senior School Online Learning Guide - A guide to the transition to Distance Learning for parents and pupils - Moreton Hall
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Senior School Online Learning Guide A guide to the transition to Distance Learning for parents and pupils
Online Learning
Introduction
Welcome to our remote learning overview, I said back in April 2020 that the summer
or, “lockdown, here we go again” (to borrow term that year would be like no other. Whilst
a phrase from the Moreton circus in years that was probably true, this term is panning
past). Many of you are already familiar with out to be rather similar. We all learnt a
our online learning platforms and for those great deal back then about the ingredients
of you new to the school - we remain at your of successful online learning and were
disposal to help make this latest transition delighted to receive such positive feedback.
as seamless as possible for your child. We are already up and running once again
Whether it’s questions about academic work, and this brochure outlines the range of
wellbeing, careers and next steps or anything opportunities available to our pupils in the
else, just get in touch and we will set up a coming weeks across all areas of school life.
meeting. We are committed to ensuring business as
usual and keeping the Moreton Magic alive
Parents or guardians with children in the and well during this strange time.
Prep will have received a separate online
learning guide. This guide is therefore aimed
at Senior School pupils and their families.
George Budd
Principal
Contents
04 Online Learning - A Guide
05 Online Learning - Key Principles
Learning Support Arrangements
06 EAL Arrangements
08 - 12 Co-Curricular and Extended Curriculum
13 Pastoral/Health and Wellbeing
14 Network of Support
Online Learning -
A Guide
A key principle of Moreton’s approach to If you are struggling to organise your work
learning is that everyone learns in different and are starting to feel overwhelmed -
ways and online learning is no different. contact your Tutor or Housemistress.
Over the next couple of weeks, with the help
of subject teachers, tutors and house staff, If you are experiencing technical difficulties
pupils will develop strategies and approaches - contact your Housemistress, who will put
to online learning that work for them, whilst you in touch with the relevant person in IT.
developing their independent study skills and
confidence along the way. If you feel that you would like to talk to
someone - contact your Housemistress, who
The key watch word however, is will be able to advise you and may give you
communication. Please don’t hesitate to get suggestions of other members of staff you
in touch with us - we are here to help. can contact for support and advice.
If you have any questions or queries about Finally, Miss Hughes, Mrs Tilley and Mr Budd
the work that has been set or have problems are always available should you wish to
accessing the Zoom code - contact your speak to them.
Subject Teacher.
If you feel that you are getting too much
or too little work in a lesson - contact your
Subject Teacher or Tutor.
Online Learning -
Key Principles
Parents
1. Should encourage and support their child’s 3. Must allow their child / children to fully
/ children’s work - including: engage with their teacher and their class
x finding an appropriate place to work and online, and minimise distractions when live
join video calls (not a bedroom), lessons are being delivered.
x checking that set work is completed by
the end of each day and 4. We will assume parents give consent for
x ensuring that the normal school live web-based sessions, unless we hear
timetable for the day is followed. otherwise.
2. Should contact the Subject Teacher / Tutor
/ Housemistress if there are any concerns.
Where can I go to get support to help keep my child safe online?
There is a lot of support available to keep your child safe online. Below are some useful links
to help parents and carers:
x Parent Firefly pages contain up-to-date advice for parents in addition to the links below
x Thinkyouknow (advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online)
x Internet Matters (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
x Parent Info (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
x LGfL (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
x Net Aware (support for parents and careers from the NSPCC)
Pupils
1. Should be online via Firefly, Zoom or 4. Must use email to communicate with their
Google Meeting and follow their normal teachers and ask questions if they do not
timetable to enable teachers to respond understand.
to pupil needs and keep structure to
their day. For overseas pupils, continuous 5. Must sign off that they have completed
communication with your teachers is set work as per teachers instructions, via
essential. Teachers are aware of which live the Firefly task.
sessions you can join, and which sessions
you will access materials in your own time. 6. Must be suitably dressed for schoolwork
when involved in video calls and should
2. Should check Firefly to see the posts for not take video calls from bedrooms if
each lesson, including from your tutor. possible.
3. Must complete all set work within sensible 7. Are still bound by the agreements of
limits of time - contact your teacher if the school’s Internet Acceptable Use and
something is taking you too long. e-safety policies, and should not record
and share any recordings of any lessons,
pupils and teachers.
www.moretonhall.org 05Learning Support
Arrangements
The Learning Support department is The department is in contact with pupils
continuing to provide interventions and and staff to maintain access to all of the
support for its pupils in the new online curriculum. Staff continue to adapt their
learning environment. Sessions have teaching for all learners. The department is
transitioned online through a variety of on hand for any queries and all pupils are
methods from Zoom to online platforms welcome to contact for support.
such as spell zone and typing club. Pupils are
able to engage with their teacher to access The normal study skills programme that has
additional support and continue to progress. already been delivered to Upper Five and
For pupils moving onto further education, Upper Sixth earlier in the year will continue
study skills for university are being run via for the Lower School through a series of
online learning platforms through their online tutorials and videos.
teachers.
EAL Arrangements
The EAL department are continuing to requirements for the universities they have
support all international pupils across many applied to and to check if test centres are
time zones to ensure pupils have access to open in their own countries. The Head of
the full curriculum whilst learning from a EAL will continue to update students and
distance as well as opportunities to remain staff regarding IELTS examinations in the UK.
culturally and socially engaged. Pupils are
joining live lessons where their time zones The Head of EAL and EAL teachers are
permit and carrying out their other tasks set always here for you if you have any
within their own time zones and are doing a questions at all and here are some useful
great job of this. Provisions have been made self study websites to keep up your English
for pupils to access Firefly from their home in your free time. Remember that reading
countries to allow continuity of education to a good book is one of the best ways to
be smooth. improve your vocabulary and sentence
structures!
All pupils have regular meetings with their
Housemistress and tutors. EAL pupils are www.learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org
encouraged to utilise the full Housemistress www.primaryresources.co.uk
and tutor support as they normally would. www.learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org
Please remember we are all still here to www.funbrain.com
support you in every way!
Upper Sixth students should continue to
talk to careers and to look at the IELTSwww.moretonhall.org 07
Co-Curricular and
Extended Curriculum
The current situation presents an ideal with peers and staff through the activities
opportunity for Moreton pupils to try new programme. Many activities continue to run
things and discover new ways of working on a weekly basis with additional challenges
together. It is as important as ever to engage and competitions along the way.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1:20PM 1:20PM 4:00PM 1:20PM 1:20PM
Chamber Choir Show Choir Mendeleev Show Choir Chamber Choir
(U5 - U6)
5:15PM 5:15PM 5:15PM 5:10PM
Virtual Chess Journalism Stables Pi Society Jenner Society
(all year groups) (U4 - U6) (all year groups)
5:15PM 5:15PM 5:15PM 5:15PM
Stables Stables Art and its Mini Model
Drawing Club French Club History United Nations
Appreciation (Year 6 - U4)
5:15PM 5:15PM 5:15PM 6:00PM
Stables U4 Pi Society U4 Drama Face2Face
Beginners Latin Activity (all year groups)
5:15PM 5:15PM 5:15PM 7:00PM
Pankhurst Junior L5 Bronze DofE L5 Bronze DofE Bronwen Society
History Society (all year groups)
(Remove - U4)
5:15PM 5:15PM 5:15PM
L5 GCSE Art U5 Charities What if…..?
Clinic
5:15PM 5:15PM 5:15PM
L5 Bronze DofE U5 GCSE Model United
Art Clinic Nations (U4 - U6)
5:15PM 5:15PM 5:15PM
L5 Pi Society U5 Pi Society A Level Art Clinic
5:15PM 5:15PM 5:15PM
Geographical Taster Tuesdays General
Society (L5 - U6) Knowledge Quiz
(all year groups)
5:15PM 5:15PM
Countdown Quiz Let’s Learn
(all year groups) Italian Together!
(all year groups)Extended Curriculum
Art the DofE website for details but helping
The Art department are posting an Art to collect shopping or prescriptions for
activity suitable for any age, once a week vulnerable neighbours or family members
on a Thursday, on our Firefly page. These can be recorded towards your volunteering
aim to get you flexing your creative muscles hours during this time. Two great online
with objects you have around you. Art is volunteering opportunities are Zooniverse
everywhere! and Missing Maps. Zooniverse is a platform
https://moretonhall.fireflycloud.net/art-and- through which you can take part in citizen
design science projects such as counting penguins
from time-lapse photography. Through
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Missing Maps you can volunteer your time to
There is plenty that you can be doing to add data to maps which help humanitarian
continue working towards completing the projects in developing countries.
Skills, Volunteering and Physical sections of
your Bronze or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Skills - you may still be able to continue with
Award. Changes have been made to the way the skill that you had previously chosen but if
that sections of the award can be completed you do need to change for a few weeks then
and participants can make changes to their that’s fine. It may be a good time to start a
chosen activities for the duration of this completely different skill or you may find you
time. There are plenty of ideas of activities have more time to devote to an existing skill
that you can undertake on the DofE website. for example learning a musical instrument,
If you require help to change your activities juggling or knitting, cake decorating or magic
on eDofE or are unsure of how to progress tricks.
please contact either Miss Randle (Bronze
participants) or Mr Lang (Gold participants). English and Drama
The English department reading list, with
Some examples of changes that you might recommendations for all ages, is available on
like to make are: Firefly.
https://moretonhall.fireflycloud.net/library/
Physical Activity - if you have been logging reading-lists.
hours of participation in team sports such as
Hockey or Lacrosse or completing sports that Avid readers may enjoy Project Gutenberg,
require access to facilities that you cannot a website dedicated to publishing every
use at the moment such as Badminton work of literature no longer under copyright
you might like to switch to logging your law. These can be freely downloaded to
personal fitness activities. I suggest you use an e-reader. How about Hemingway’s first
a fitness tracking app on your phone such as novel, ‘The Sun also Rises’, for the genesis of
RunKeeper or Strava to log your activity to his inimitable literary style?
use as evidence.
The Creative Writing club will continue this
Volunteering - it is unlikely that you term with Mr Reynolds. Keep a lookout for
will be able to undertake your normal further details of how to take part.
community based activities and visits
such as volunteering at Dolywern or the
RJAH Hospital but there are plenty of
activities in the local community that can
still be undertaken. Have a good look at
www.moretonhall.org 09Extended Curriculum cont.
Digital Theatre Geography
Digital Theatre+ is a great way to watch In Geography we are keen to broaden
theatre productions and can be watched your geographical reading. Sixth Form
on smart TVs. Login details can be found on geographers should choose one of the books
Firefly. from the reading list such as “Factfulness:
Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World”
Iampro is an online platform for young and “Why Things Are Better Than You Think”,
aspiring budding artists. Anyone interested Hans Rosling. For younger years we would
in performing, stage make-up, production encourage you to read fiction books with
design, stage combat, dance, vocal coaching a geographical theme such as “Not As We
(to name but a few) should sign up to the Know It” by Tom Avery. A list of books for all
online tutorials. years is available on Firefly. We would love
to read your reviews and we will add to our
Mark Jermin Management are also running a wall of books in the Geography Room.
stage and screen programme. In the previous
lockdown Moreton pupils had castings with History and Classics
top UK Casting Directors and producers. Sixth Form historians and classicists may
One or two even had recalls for big exciting wish to contribute to this term’s edition of
projects. The Historian which will be published during
the first half of the term. All year groups can
The Theatre For Life are running monologue participate in the ‘Object: History’ project
workshops that you can sign up to take part that Mr Dennison has launched. Pupils are
in via their website. encouraged to undertake a piece of Antiques
Roadshow-style research to investigate and
Economics interpret objects of material history within
Background reading will deepen pupils’ their own home. It can be anything - from
understanding of the topics studied in class, a marvellous painting to a piece of 1960s
and offer the opportunity to delve beyond cutlery. We won’t be investigating value.
the specification. A number of new books
have been added to the reading list, including Classicists taking part in this term’s
Tim Harford’s “How to make the World Add Languages Concert will rehearse online with
Up”, which pupils should enjoy following Mr Dennison and Mr Inge.
his talk at the “Economics in Action” day
last month. Pupils are encouraged to write Both the History and Classics department
reviews for books they read. reading lists can also be found on Firefly and
exam classes may also enjoy exploring the In
Pupils may also find time to listen to Our Time archives of radio programmes.
Podcasts, including Radio 4’s More or
Less and Freakonomics radio; a link to Languages
recommended Podcasts can be found on As we look forward to a time when we can
Firefly. Pupils are also encouraged to enter travel again why not use this current period
competitions, including the NCH essay to build your existing linguistic skills or start
competition (closing date 1st February learning a new language? In the coming
2021). weeks the Languages department will be
sharing ideas and challenges to help you
explore both the language and culture of
different countries.Extended Curriculum cont.
Music For further information and Zoom codes
Despite living in a virtual world, the Music please email Mrs Rayner.
department is constantly thinking of creative
ways to bring the Moreton community Oswestry Youth Music Festival
together. Choir and orchestra rehearsals Sadly, the annual Oswestry Youth Music
continue to meet up on a weekly basis to Festival has been cancelled his year, but
offer support to each other and look at the department wishes to run an internal
different ways we can make music together. Divisional Music Festival in the summer
There will be plenty of opportunities for the term - so there is always something to work
whole Moreton community (pupils, siblings, towards, more details will follow later this
parents and staff) to join in with over the term. There are still plans to hold the Sixth
coming weeks. We welcome any suggestions From Recital Prize this term, but if needs
from our newly Music Committees and along be, this will be postponed until the summer
with everyone’s efforts we look forward to term.
executing them.
Virtual Concerts
Barbirolli Society Interactive ‘Zoom’ Talks We plan to hold some informal ‘virtual’
The Spring Term will host a further virtual concerts. For this, we need you to send in
masterclass, this time for piano pupils, with your performances. You can either simply
a guest pianist based in London. There will record the audio or do a video of you
be more industry-led talks exploring the playing. Again, we would love staff and
benefits of music; one about being a music parents to take part. So please, don’t be shy,
therapist and another about performance record your pieces and send them into Mrs
anxiety, wellbeing for musicians and vocal Rayner. If you have family members who are
health. The latter will be run by an Old musicians, then great - the more the merrier!
Moretonian and this will lead to a day of I look forward to seeing and hearing your
coaching in these areas with the pupils later contributions!
in the term. The Interactive talks are open
to anyone who wishes to learn more about Music Challenge Board
these areas: The ‘Music Challenge Board’ gives pupils
(and their siblings!) an opportunity to
Music & Health with OM Lucy Heyman get ‘offline’ and try out some fun musical
Thursday 14th January at 5.00pm activities. As part of their class music lessons
pupils in Remove, Lower Four and Upper
Music Therapy with Heather Heighway Four will be given a series of challenges that
Thursday 21st January at 5pm they can choose to get involved in. Please
send any completed challenges videos
Piano Masterclass with Elizabeth Rossiter directly to Mrs Diack. We would love to see
Tuesday 5th February what you have been doing!
Sixth Form Recital Prize with Guest Adjudicator
Stavros Kokkinos
Friday 5th March
Workshops on Music & Health with OM Lucy
Heyman
Friday 12th March
www.moretonhall.org 11Extended Curriculum cont.
Rylands Diploma Alternatively, if mind-bending mathematical
In these unprecedented times, the brainteasers are more your scene, then
importance of ‘life skills’ is brought into stark please take a look at the Maths Bombe
focus. Our Life Skills programme for Lower (starts 27th January).
Sixth (The Rylands Diploma) will continue
to run this term and will focus on skills that Taster Tuesdays
couldn’t be more relevant at this time. The highly successful Taster Tuesday
programme is back this term. Run by the
‘Next Steps’ (Careers) department. This
Sport
series of weekly talks covers a diverse range
PE and sport is at the very heart of health
of university subjects and school leaver
and happiness. It benefits both the body
opportunities. The talks start at 5:15pm
and the mind. It is what it was invented and
and Zoom codes will be emailed to pupils
developed for so keep remembering to get
in Lower Five to Upper Sixth each week.
active and stay active.
For anyone unable to attend in person, the
talks are recorded and can be found here on
You can still keep logging the miles you have
Firefly. This term we are will be covering:
been walking, running and biking for the
United Through Distance challenge and keep
x Army Officer Opportunities - what does it
a look out for additional weekly pick and
take and where could it lead?
mix challenges or create your own circuits,
x Studying Engineering at University - what
whatever you do remember to have fun
is the difference between civil, aero and
All the information is available on the PE
mechanical engineering?
Firefly page.
x How to Prepare Effectively for a Careers /
University Fair
STEM x Studying Art and Design Courses at
Why not delve deeper into Maths and the University
Sciences? The STEM reading list provides a x Studying International Relations at
comprehensive list of books to stretch and University - why consider a ‘new’ subject?
challenge your scientific thinking. Click here x Gap Year Opportunities with Culsan’s
to access the list on Firefly. Travel and Ski le Gap
x Studying ‘Animal’ Related Courses at
STEM will also be running a number of University - no you don’t have to be a
challenges throughout the term. Look out vet! (Animal Science, Zoology, Animal
for Mr Lang’s construction challenges, Mrs Behaviour, Wildlife Conservation,
Peel’s gardening challenges or Mr Kynes’ Veterinary Bioscience etc)
Chemistry Murder Mysteries. Sixth Form
scientists might also like to contribute to this
term’s Science magazine.
Mr Quantrell is looking for keen code-
breakers or cipher-solvers to partake in this
year’s Cryptography Competition. Click here
for further information (starts 18th January).Pastoral/Health
and Wellbeing
Moreton has an excellent reputation for Both Housemistresses and Tutors are
being a caring, supportive and family keeping in touch with parents if they have
environment. These core values continue any concerns at all, and in turn we would
in providing our strong pastoral support as encourage parents to do the same - working
we journey through this period of remote closely together is key in ensuring the
learning. There will be challenges along the wellbeing of our community.
way, and it is important you know that we
are here to support both parents and their Pupils can access wellbeing tips and
children. information via the wellbeing resource
on Firefly, and helpful blogs and videos
Housemistresses have been offering face to are being added each week on the Firefly
face conversations via Zoom, or telephone Dashboard. A Wellbeing Assembly takes
calls, as and when needed each week. Tutors place every Wednesday via the Firefly
are continuing to offer support to their dashboard in a weekly blog style post, which
tutees with regular Zoom meetings and email will also include some videos and podcasts.
contact.
“Maintain Individual Relationships”
“Offer Bespoke Family Support”
www.moretonhall.org 13Network of Support Tutors Weekly and Individual Tutor meetings via Zoom. Housemistresses Regular House Meetings and individual check-ins with pupils and parents via Zoom or telephone. Designated Safeguarding Leads Sarah Hughes Abi Plowden Health Centre and Counsellors The outbreak of Coronavirus and self-isolation has presented challenges for many young people and our support continues to help and scaffold a way through. It is vital that we continue to take care of everyone’s emotional wellbeing and to continue supporting the pupils’ mental health during these periods of disruption. For urgent support, do not hesitate to contact the nurses health@moretonhall.com where they can arrange a telephone call in the first instance and are able to organise counselling via Skype or Zoom with the school counsellors. The nurses are also available for general queries with regards to the ongoing health needs of all pupils throughout the school. Mental Health support can also be accessed through: Access Team (formally CAMHS) - 0300 124 0093 Kooth (an online counselling service specifically for young people) - www.kooth.com Beam (a call back service for young people and young adults) email - askbeam@childrenssociety.org.uk Childline - 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk YoungMinds (offering support, advice and help to both young people and their families) - www.youngminds.org.uk Stem4 (supporting positive mental health in teenagers) - www.stem4.org.uk
Stay Active Practise Mindfulness Keep Connected with Friends Keep Learning Be Kind
Moreton Hall, Weston Rhyn, Oswestry, SY11 3EW
Tel: 01691 773671 | Email: admin@moretonhall.com
www.moretonhall.org
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