Capitalizing on Connection for Communication

 Patricia Long, 
Head of Middle School

The importance of communication has been persistently on my mind over these last few weeks, as we settle into our new routines of learning and interactions. As a language teacher, I have been struck by how challenging clear communication has become. With the increased use of social media platforms- originally designed to make communication easier- we have instead lost the clarity provided by direct interaction. Simply put, we talk less and text more. This has been compounded by the impact of Covid, of course, and the need to hide our faces behind masks. We may be safer, but our ability to read facial expressions has been much reduced. That is what makes opportunities for direct, face-to-face discussion so welcome and so important.

We are very pleased by our ability to see our families face-to-face at events such as the Meet the Teacher event, held on Friday, September 2nd. Our parents and students braved the rain and gathered together to have a quick visit the classrooms to learn more about the opportunities for academic and social growth on offer here at Branksome Hall Asia. Students were invited to attend along with their parents, and were pleased and proud to show off their classrooms and the teachers who are working so hard to support them in their learning journeys.

At the end of the evening, Grade Level Coordinators met with parents collectively to give an overview of their Grade-specific planning for the year, and to invite them to join the new ‘Official’ Grade Level Kakao Group Chats, a new communication tool in the Middle School. Through these Group Chats, Branksome Hall faculty will be able to send quick announcements and updates to parents and students. While these chat groups are not designed for two-way communication, they will provide more immediate and up-to-date messages, which, when combined with the regular Road Ahead Newsletters, Grade Level Parent Meetings, Parent Education Presentations and emails from the Middle School Office, will ensure a wide source of information for our parenting community. The combination of online and face to face connection will enhance our home-school relationships and benefit the learning experience of our students.