A blog written by the Education Department
Welcome to this instalment of the Education Department blog, and this time around it is a little something different.
It’s been a strange semester during these unprecedented times, and we would simply like to extend our sincere thanks to our students for managing this so excellently. The continued engagement with digital lessons and support, and their resulting work has been a credit to each of them. With this in mind our fabulous alumni are now ‘out there’, many of them indeed keyworkers in care, education and social service fields, and we extend our Thursday evening applause to you all.
Many of our students have numerous responsibilities and challenges, including many keyworkers, and we are proud of the way they have continued to progress with their studies. Many of the students, particularly our part-time cohorts, are still at the chalk face running early years settings still open for essential service workers and the most vulnerable, or, still supporting their own students who they are still teaching… remember some education services are indeed still open and staffed for those most in need. Those in initial teacher training have been on the frontline preparing families for home schooling, and supporting their learners, families and colleagues in completely new ways that no one could have prepared them for, thus we take our hats off to you. Many of our students work in retail, care, and, have their own personal caring responsibilities. Some are active volunteers for the most vulnerable and in charitable organisations and we are so proud of all that you do.
Now, the switch to digital study has not always been easy and students have shown patience and positivity towards the efforts in altering how the support is offered to them. Equally, many have reflected on themselves as future educators and have appreciated that they too are increasing the tools in their own teacher toolkits, as they grapple with new ways of learning. They may be supporting their future learners in similar ways therefore, they are becoming ‘Educator 2.0’ by increasing their digital capabilities.
It’s the final push in the academic year now and students are so close to completing all of the to dos on the list. We hope this message of support and pride motivates them to enjoy the final stages of the year. We also hope this message reaches our alumni so they know we continue to think of them. Finally, to any future students, we hope this gives an insight to the support and care that you receive on your journey with us in the Education department.
Take care and stay safe.
Best wishes, the Education Department