Lockdown reflections - staff stories - Wendy Bowen gives a view from a primary school

Name: Wendy S. Bowen.

Department: Education, Leisure and Housing.

Job title: Head Teacher Papdale Primary School.

Years of OIC employment: 7 years with OIC.

Duties: To provider leadership for Papdale Primary school to ensure that at Papdale we “learn and work together to be the best we can be.”

Changes since lockdown? During periods of lockdown and restrictions we had reduced numbers of pupils in school, had to create rotas for staff to work face to face with pupils of keyworkers and those who required some additional support and ensured that online learning continued.

We have learned how to work online to deliver lessons, the video lessons created by many of our staff was a new innovation and very well received, we started a weekly online assembly for pupils who were in school as we use the Staff Teams network to broadcast across, this allowed us to continue to be part of a wider school family. The children are able to take part from their classrooms and this is something that we continue with now.

I began a short video message back in last March just to keep in touch with the children and parents which I was keen to stop in September, but parental demand remained high and as was commented on by parents the “Goss from the Boss” was an important tool for them. Even when I had little information to tell them, it gave them reassurance. So, this has also continued. I have been blown away with the amount of people that watch it, peaking during my snow day announcement with over 2.5k folks engaging with the post… pity I was wearing my PJs during such an important announcement, but I wanted to get the message out to parents as soon as I could to allow for alternative childcare arrangements.

Changes on a personal level over the past year? Personally, in lockdown, we have not been able to enjoy going out and playing at dances, so the weekends are quiet. I miss the fun of playing to an audience and to meeting friends. I have enjoyed many many hours though at my sewing machine making all sorts of things.

How have you found the public’s reaction to changes? Our Papdale family has been brilliant, parents and families have continued to be extremely supportive in all that we have done, they have found this time tough but they have appreciated all that we have done. A recent survey showed us this and it was very touching. I am proud of the tremendous effort our staff have made to support the children and families and appreciate everything they have done.

What are you looking forward to most when “normality” returns? When the restrictions end, I look forward to meeting the staff in the staffroom, not having to do every meeting online and I cannot wait to see my Mum and Dad be that in Orkney or Caithness.