For thousands of Newcastle school students and their parents, the past month of home learning has been challenging but not impossible.

NSW was forced into a snap lockdown from midnight on August 6, resulting in primary and high school teachers across Newcastle transitioning their classrooms online for students to access from home.

Olivia and Brittany (surnames withheld) are both primary school teachers in Newcastle. They said their students had adapted to home learning positively but that the process was not without its hurdles and disadvantages.

‘’We have a wellbeing check-in each morning where the students can choose an emotion they are feeling each day,” Olivia said. 

“They also get to record a voice message and send it through to me. 

“If there is a problem or they are not feeling OK, I can record a message in response to help where I can.”

Students across the different year groups have access to online portals such as Microsoft Teams and Seesaw. 

These portals are interactive and engaging and are a place for teachers and students to communicate and for students to upload their completed work each day.

‘’I found during the first week of lockdown my students were doing really well with transitioning to home learning, however as the weeks rolled on, students were starting to become easily distracted and less engaged,” Brittany said.

“I need to make sure the work I am giving my students is engaging and can be taught and grasped by my students digitally.”

Newcastle teacher Olivia has taken steps to make home schooling interesting and rewarding. Photo supplied.

Olivia and Brittany both understand that each of their students is at a different academic level and their students’ home environments can affect their home learning capabilities.

‘’It is really hard not seeing my students every day, however with online platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Seesaw and Zoom, I am still able to communicate with my class daily,’’ Olivia said.

Both teachers said they appreciated parents being cooperative and involved with their children’s education during the home learning period.

‘’Parents are being very supportive and are keeping in regular contact with me via email, asking questions about work that has been issued or addressing any concerns they may have,’’ Brittany said.

‘’I am finding our parents have a newfound appreciation of their children’s teacher during home learning; it is nice to feel appreciated,’’ Olivia added.

The teachers support their students in communicating with one another through group zoom sessions twice a week. 

‘’At the end of my two weekly zooms, I alternate between the girls and boys in my online classroom, staying back and letting them speak with one another in a supervised group setting,” Olivia said.

“I think it is important for my students to feel connected during home learning through positive communication.”

Lauren Spencer is a mother of two young girls, trying to juggle Kindergarten, childcare and working from home during lockdown.

‘’I struggle to keep Jorgie engaged with home learning because there are so many distractions at home,” she said.

“Between her younger sister and her iPad, it is a real struggle.”

Spencer is eager for school to resume to the classroom where Jorgie can be reunited with her teacher and school friends. 

‘’The sooner school resumes the better! I worry that due to the lack of classroom interaction with her teacher and fellow students she may be slipping behind. There is so much pressure – am I doing the right thing?

At home learning set up. Photo supplied.

‘’I can find myself getting frustrated when Jorgie isn’t engaged in her work, however, rewards of playing outside and iPad time definitely help.’’ 

Spencer appreciates having a close network of family and friends around her in the community that she can rely on for moral support.

Olivia and Brittany said they also were fortunate to work with supportive colleagues.

‘’We have Tuesday Chat, where all the teachers at my school share a zoom call and connect with one another,” Olivia said.

“I also have a school-based Instagram account where I connect with fellow teachers and educators who may be struggling during lockdown or providing tips and tricks to fellow teachers who are seeking inspiration.’’ 

‘’It is so important to work with other teachers you can bounce ideas off and share ideas with,’’ Brittany said.

Each term, both teachers’ schools celebrate Wellbeing Week, which promotes physical and mental wellbeing. 

During term three, Brittany’s colleague organised a pre-recorded video message from Newcastle sporting stars, praising the students for their hard work and determination during home learning.

‘’The video was amazing, and the kids were so surprised,” Brittany said. 

“We were fortunate enough to organise personalised messages from Nine News reporter Charles Croucher, Jacob and Daniel Saifiti from the Newcastle Knights, surfer Sally Fitzgibbons, Jason Hoffman from the Newcastle Jets, and more local sporting stars.’’  

Jayden Fennell