Covid-19 and Queen's College update 2

I hope and pray that you and your families are safe. I miss you all and I am looking forward to the day that our Great School can come together again. However, for now, you and your family’s health should be your main priority. COVID-19 should be taken very seriously. Therefore, stay at home, stay clean and stay healthy. Be responsible.

Please be reminded that we will start Term Two on Tuesday 14 April (online learning) as per President Ramaphosa’s announcement. We will follow a specific timetable from 09:00 – 15:30 every day. The timetable will be available on the QC Student Portal towards the end of the week. Please engage with the work that your teacher has provided for you via Google Classroom or WhatsApp. The timetable will allocate specific times for each subject.

None of us could have foreseen our current situation. As the world fights against the COVID-19 outbreak, more than 130 countries have now closed schools. Up to 80% of your global peers find themselves in the same position as you.

As a school, we have developed new capabilities and a world-class online learning platform to ensure we are prepared for these challenging times. At the end of last term, the Innovation and IT team held a crash course on Gmail and Google Classroom with all learners, except for those who were absent on the last two days of term. During that endeavour, our staff realised that a small percentage of you do not have the necessary devices and/or connectivity to fully utilise e-learning. We are aware of this and have thus put the following measures in place to accommodate ALL Queenians.

1. Student Resource Portal:

The student portal contains information relevant to all current Queen’s College students. It has teachers’ email addresses, Google Classroom codes for the respective subjects per grade, tutorials explaining how to use the different resources Google offers, amongst many other features. Please explore at: https://sites.google.com/d/1biiNcNVqfoX5XieXKdYqw4wpy4DB3iNP/p/1Y3eLEa91UQl9w-gGa8wQxA8MHVMmjTzC/edit

2. Student Connectivity Survey:

To enable us to formulate an effective distance learning programme, please complete the survey below. A large number of you have already done so.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kz2RntjlNbOeJLpFWUfzOnOIEOKzTVaCTeIvy_-dkPk/edit

Should you come across any challenges with the above, please contact Mr Gamede or Mr Stellenberg on ngamede@queenscollege.co.za or ittech@queenscollege.co.za

3. Delivery of resources:

Once we have received the exact figures from the student survey, we will be able to give clear direction on how we are going to avail resources to boys who are not in a position to make use of e-learning.

We are aware that compared to conventional learning, e-learning may feel less effective, as it is a new method. You will realise that you do not have your teachers physically checking your progress. This is where self-discipline plays a vital role. You must take responsibility for your learning without someone looking over your shoulder.

To ensure success, please make the following steps part of your e-learning routine:

• Take regular breaks.

• Make time to exercise.

• Maintain a regular sleeping routine.

• Limit distractions where possible (Turn off social media notifications and rather use your data for educational purposes).

• Set daily and weekly targets.

• Make time to socialise, even if it is just with your family and loved ones at home.

• For a very basic overview of your network usage, you can open the Settings menu and go to Network & Internet and monitor your Data Usage.

It is of paramount importance that you prioritise the above points for your general well-being.

Please do not hesitate to contact your teachers via email if you experience any difficulties. We also ask for your patience and understanding as we overcome the challenges of e-learning together. We will continue to monitor and update our resources to ensure that you get the best during this global pandemic.

Remember boys, to ensure success as per Vision 175 & Beyond, let’s Care Deeply, Think Critically, Act Bravely and Collaborate.

Keep learning, keep positive and stay calm.

Yours sincerely

Janse van der Ryst

HEADMASTER