Embracing the 'new norm'
Undeterred by the challenges posed by the global pandemic, the Academy embraced the 'new norm' and started the new academic year online. After a restful summer, the Academy community returned to online classes to take on the new year in good earnest with not only new tools but also new teachers.
On 10 August 2020, the Aga Khan Academy Maputo kicked off its first week of the academic year 2020 - 2021 and opened its virtual doors to students and faculty around the world. Students attended assemblies, received orientations, created checklists and completed PHE classes behind a screen from the safety and comfort of their homes.
During this week, tackling the new academic year with tools that would facilitate learning was key for students as well teachers; thereby building upon the training they received from March through June.
Activities in Junior School focused on accountability and organisation. Images shared by students illustrated their designated learning spaces in their homes. Students joined their teachers in organising checklists; an activity that will be followed every day to ensure productivity and efficiency in daily tasks. In her reflection at the end of the week, Shilzia Pinto (Grade 4) pointed out how much she enjoyed her PHE classes and suggested she looks forward to sharing more exercises with her teachers and classmates.
Sharing her thoughts on the new term, MYP Coordinator, Smita Gangola said the first week of school was, “In a nutshell, engaging and stimulating”. She also highlighted that this term, open classrooms will be a significant way to ensure off screen time and yet hone students’ self management skills while teachers remain on stand by should they require support on the assigned task.
The MYP students were also given a chance to familiarise themselves with digital lockers and the digital house boards which will now be a regular part of their day-to-day activities.
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