This week’s bulletin is full of useful information, including instructions about the ways in which students and teachers can utilise games consoles to access Google Classroom (and Microsoft Teams).
Category Archives: Parents
Tower Hamlets Talking Therapies offer free webinars for parents
Since the recent announcement of schools being closed, it has meant a lot of sudden changes for parents which can have an impact on mental wellbeing. Tower Hamlets Talking Therapies is offering two free webinars to support parents.
Managing my child during lockdown – 19th of January at 4pm
This webinar aims to look at common difficulties a parent may face when having their child at home while schools are closed and strategies to manage.
Managing my self care as a parent during lockdown – 2nd of February at 4pm
Self care can be commonly forgotten as a parent so this webinar aims to act as a refresher and reminder of the importance of self care and how to ensure parents make time for themselves.
Please note, both webinars are only available to parents who have a registered address and/or registered GP in the Tower Hamlets. The deadline to register is 24 hours prior to the day and time of the webinar.
Register here >
The Oak National Academy teacher hub
The Oak National Academy was created in April 2020 in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. Leading education organisations, with over 300 teachers, came together to create over 600 lessons to keep pupils learning, which can be accessed via the teacher hub.
There are now nearly 10,000 lessons available on the site and lessons can be downloaded, customized and shared with colleagues easily. Visitors to the site can browse by subject, Key Stage and specialist lessons.
Teaching help >
Remote Learning
As you will be aware, on Monday 4th January 2021 the Prime Minister announced that all schools were to switch to remote learning. We will provide high-quality education for your child during this time.
Swanlea Remote Lesson Times
· Session 1 9-10.15am
· Session 2 11.15-12.30pm
· Session 3 2-3.15pm
In addition your child will have one assembly per week lead by their Learning Co-ordinator
Your child will also have one PSHEE task per week set by their tutor
In order to support you and your child with their home learning we will contact you if your child if does not logon to their Google Classroom lesson and actively engage with learning.
Our top tips for successful remote learning are:
· Try to encourage your child to be ready and dressed for the start of the school day, and to keep to their timetable or a routine
· Distinguish between weekdays and weekends, and make it clear when the school day is over, to separate home and school life
· Plan breaks and exercise into the day to help keep your child active
Please click here to view a student guide to using Google Classrooms.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness in Schools sit together
When the UK first went into lockdown last year, the Mindfulness in School Project (MiSP) launched a series of free daily online mindfulness practice sessions called ‘Sit Together’. It was heartwarming and inspirational to see so many people join via Zoom, many bringing families too.
At the beginning of another national lockdown, MiSP are pleased to confirm they are launching their third ‘Sit Together’ series, starting Monday 11th January and then every weekday at 11am, to provide support, connection and community for all.
Each 20 minute session is suitable for complete beginners, providing an accessible ‘taster’ for those who are new to mindfulness, as well as an opportunity to practice for those who have more experience of mindfulness.
Find out more >
Mindful Teachers
Recommended by the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, Mindful Teachers is an international online community of educators and helping professionals committed to mindfulness and compassion.
They have gathered a collection of resources from the Mindful Teachers posts on coping during the Covid-19 crisis, covering mindfulness and self-care for adults and children.
Mindful support >
Education Support are here for you
Education Support are the only UK charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of education staff in schools, colleges and universities. They have produced a series of short videos for teachers, lecturers and support staff dealing with the Covid-19 crisis.
They also have a series of resources on anxiety, grief and how to support education staff with their mental health and wellbeing.
They have a free, confidential helpline always available 24/7 with trained counsellors. The helpline number is 08000 562561.
Looking after each other and yourself
A guide developed by the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families during the first lockdown, to help support the mental health and wellbeing of staff at schools and colleges during periods of disruption.
Swanlea Express – Issue 28
This newsletter is about the many positive things that have been taking place at Swanlea. It includes news of Sixth Formers who have won bursaries to reduce their university fees by thousands. Our year seven students opened up about their experiences of starting secondary school and Swanlea has gained VAWG Champion status.
Tower Hamlets Council’s Wellbeing Programme for Schools
Tower Hamlets Council are rolling out a wellbeing programme for schools which will include training and resources on mental wellbeing. The programme will aim to support mental wellbeing and resilience and aid mental health recovery for school staff, pupils, parents and carers’, in light of the impact of COVID-19 and lockdown. The Local Authority have pulled together local experts to deliver training to school staff and Further Education (FE) providers, preventing as many people as possible from developing mental health difficulties and ensuring those with pre-existing or emerging difficulties access the right support. The training will take place online and will cover a whole school approach, wellbeing and resilience. Further training will cover specific concerns such as bereavement, anxiety and trauma. Future training dates will be shared next term. To book a place on any of the sessions listed below, please email sultanax.begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk with the name of the session(s) you would like to attend, your name and contact details. Please note that places are limited and will be booked on a first come first served basis. Please see below, details of the parents sessions, which are free to attend and will be held online.
Sleep and Mental Health (parents only)
Monday 14th December
Time: 10 – 11am
The Healthy Lives Team will be hosting a free online webinar which aims to provide staff and parents with practical, easy to understand knowledge about sleep, interesting facts and a range of strategies and tips to take away and apply that very same evening! The webinars will cover topics such as the importance of sleep, identifying barriers to sleep, sleep cycles, routines and much more!
Sleep and Mental Health (school staff and parents)
Date: Thursday 11th February 2021
Time: 10 – 11am
The Healthy Lives Team will be hosting a free online webinar which aims to provide staff and parents with practical, easy to understand knowledge about sleep, interesting facts and a range of strategies and tips to take away and apply that very same evening! The webinars will cover topics such as the importance of sleep, identifying barriers to sleep, sleep cycles, routines and much more!
Swanlea Express – Issue 27
This newsletter focuses on the outstanding A Level and GCSE results that our students gained this year. It also provides comprehensive information about the way in which social distancing is being implemented within school.