Safe, socially-distant fun at HeronBridge
FOURWAYS – HeronBridge Pre-Preparatory School begun the phased return of Grade R learners while adhering to strict safety conditions.
HeronBridge Pre-Preparatory School begun the phased return of Grade R learners from 4 June.
Pre-Preparatory head Wendy Beyneveldt said, “Learners have been divided into two groups, and classes take place on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays per group. Wednesdays are reserved for an additional deep sanitisation process. Remote learning continues every day for all pupils who aren’t on the campus.”
Beyneveldt added that HeronBridge College had been hard at work preparing for the return of learners to campus. She said a host of measures have been put in place to minimise risk in addition to government regulations.
Some of these additional measures included online risk assessment forms that needed to be completed by all staff, parents and learners before entering the campus, screening stations upon arrival including temperature taking and recording as well as shoe, bag and hand sanitisation, and age appropriate awareness training.
Social distancing shapes have been painted onto playgrounds where learners eat their lunch while observing social distancing.A number of other measures have also been put in place. “Our pre-prep teachers are thrilled to have the pupils back in their classrooms and have made every effort to make the return to campus a fun, friendly and comfortable experience for all.
As children return to class, they are welcomed with music, bubbles and the friendly faces of staff.”‘Air high-fives’ and ‘foot-tap dances’ are offered instead of hugs, and staff have planned safe and innovative ways for children to experience the joy of learning that comes from collaborating with their peers.”
She said the ‘new normal’ brought with it many new and different things to get used to, new approaches to teaching and new challenges to face. For example, classes were not full to capacity and break times were a whole new experience.
“HeronBridge staff are committed to support and guide our pupils through all of the changes we are facing with the same courage, tenacity and heart that they always have.
“We are ready to take this one step at a time, as we welcome our children back into an environment that may look different but will still be a safe, happy and exciting place for them to be.”Beyneveldt concluded that the school had prioritised children’s emotional well-being, health and safety, routines which gave them a sense of stability, and made lots of time for questioning as well as lots of laughter.
