Guided and supported online learning will continue to be provided for learners of all ages at Knights Preparatory for as long as the school is temporarily closed due to the nationwide lockdown. The final decision for our school to reopen will be informed by the leadership of the Department of Basic Education and the Independent Schools Association of South Africa. At this time nothing has been finalised but it does look highly likely that a phased approach will be taken to the opening of schools with specific grades returning on specific dates. Please be assured that we will keep you updated.

Within our online design we have retained two core elements that support our values at Knights Preparatory School. Firstly, our teacher interaction which is fundamental in helping our learners reach their full potential during this challenging time. The second core element is the desire to maintain our personalised learning approach that treats every pupil as an individual and supports them pastorally and academically at all times. This will be facilitated through the Engage Learner Portal together with Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

You may be wondering what the Engage Learner Portal is. It is a fun, exciting, safe and easy to use online portal where each teacher has carefully curated and tailored the curriculum for each learning area. In this portal you will find all lesson materials including links to videos and links to the virtual classroom sessions. Each child will be issued with a username and password during the course of next week and tutorial videos will also be made available which will show you exactly how to navigate through this exciting platform.

#Teachers

Teachers will upload activities and related resources to the Engage learner and parent portals by 07:30 on the day of a lesson.

Teachers will provide timely and detailed feedback to learners via the Engage Learner Portal.

Teachers will be providing online support for the duration of all timetabled lessons.

Teachers will be teaching during the normal school day (07:30 -13:50) and available for consultations from 14:00-15:00 each day.

Extension activities will be included as appropriate for individual students.

All video material will be recorded and saved onto the Engage Learner Portal. This will allow students to refer back to these instructions if needed.

#FoundationPhase

Learners should log on at 08:00 every day for Devotions and further instructions for the day will be communicated. An amended time table will be followed during this time which will include specialist subjects and breaks.

A variety of online and offline activities will be done. Activities for each day will be posted on the Engage Learner Portal. Learners will be expected to complete activities posted by the teachers as soon as possible the same day.

#InterSenPhase

For subjects such as Zulu, Art, Music, Drama, Physical Education and Computer Science, lessons will be uploaded weekly and will include videos and activities.

A variety of online and offline activities will be done. Activities for each day will be posted on the Engage Learner Portal. Learners will be expected to complete activities posted by the teachers as soon as possible the same day.

#General

If you need help with:

Engage Learner Portal, please contact Miss Lara Philip on lphilip@knightsprep.com or Mrs Wendy Richardson on wrichardson@knightsprep.com.

Microsoft Teams or Zoom, please contact Mr Jaco de Kock on jdekock@knightsprep.com.

Curriculum Queries, please contact your child’s class teacher.

Counselling or emotional support contact Mr Tom Jordi tujordi@gmail.com  or Mrs Brenda Leemans on bleemans@knightsprep.com.

Any other queries can be addressed to Mrs Mac on mmcmenamin@knightsprep.com or Mrs Schippers on jschippers@knightsprep.com.