However, it seems to me that we need to look for the positive in everything. Here in our Virtual School there are vibrant signs of our ‘TBS Community’ surviving these times and in fact, even superseding them. In Secondary, we have seen a significant increase in parental participation our initiatives. We have run 7 Parents in Partnership workshops this term all of which have attracted a minimum of 4 x as many parents as we would normally have with on-site presentations; in fact the highest number achieved was almost 70 parents! Virtual Academic Review Days have also been better attended, with our November one seeing 20% more parents signed up. And, finally our Virtual Parent Voice meetings have allowed every parent of every year group in Secondary to meet up twice this term and offer their feedback, opinions and views as well as pose questions; again, with a much higher number of participants.
Of course, nothing beats seeing each other face to face, but we should be encouraged that our community of parents, teachers and students, continue to connect unabated despite the challenges; a sure sign of a resilient, committed and enthusiastic community.
Whilst we are stronger together, we all understand that for now, we are safer apart. However, with light at the end of the tunnel, I remain confident that our TBS community is rising to these challenges and will return even stronger when we do - face to face.
Alison Fox
Head of Secondary