Ross PreeceStudents might have been off school for more than seven weeks, but it’s their emotional well-being staff are putting at the top of the list as Ashburton College returns to a full campus, says principal Ross Preece.

Year 13 students were number one priority, he said, because many of them were quite anxious about the impact of the Covid-19 school closures on NCEA exams and their study plans for next year, but before the focus moved to academic catch-up, their wellbeing had to be number one, he said.

“Staff have to be very mindful of this, wellbeing is an absolute priority for us.

“This week has been all about reconnecting and finding out where everyone is at but we’re delighted with the kids, the way they’ve come back.

“This week is a reset, a finding out where students were at.”

Students had returned to college in two stages and for the final three days of the week when all were back, Preece said he was delighted with the attendance rate, 88 to 90 per cent, higher than some weeks during a normal winter.

The remainder of term two and into term three would have a solid academic focus and the only school trips would be those that were an integral part of a study course, such as agriculture and outdoor education, Preece said.

For Year 11 and 12 students the switch to distance learning would not have such a significant impact as they had time on their side when it came to catching up on credits, Preece said.

Some internal assessment projects had been completed before lockdown while students who may have missed deadlines with work may be able to negotiate an extension of time, he said.

By Sue Newman © The Ashburton Guardian - 22 May 2020