Dear Parent,

I write this in the middle of our second week in  Movement Control Order (MCO) which has as you know, now been extended to 14 April. Certainly working from home and not being allowed out brings its own challenges. I am sure you will agree with me that establishing some sort of routine is actually very important. We are aware that the Covid-19 situation may cause considerable concern and disruption for students and their families and we are striving to provide an excellent experience for our students in this uncharted territory. In terms of keeping to a routine, this is why as much as possible we have kept to the timing of lessons with teachers logging in at the time of their usual classes and as much as possible having face to face time via Zoom.

I also have to be extremely thankful to TIS Puchong teachers and staff who are working together very hard to make sure that lessons go on. I have been overwhelmed by their unwavering support which is indeed incredible to see. There are so many excellent lessons happening everywhere, from Economics to languages to P.E. The staff have adapted very quickly to this abrupt change and are doing very well. Certainly from your feedback, I know that many of you are in agreement with this too.

I also know that many of you have had a crash course in using Zoom and Google classrooms and the various technologies out there and I hope by now that you understand them better and have adjusted somewhat. This underlines what I have said previously about this being a huge learning curve for all of us and I have to also thank you for how adaptable and quick you have been to take up the challenge of online learning.

I asked you last week as did the Heads of Primary and Secondary to fill in a survey and I can tell you that the responses overall have been very good and very positive, with many of you expressing your satisfaction with the quantity and quality of the provision of online learning. We are listening to comments on areas that need improving and will continue to strive and work hard on this. In the case of those of you who have not yet filled in the survey, I would urge you to do so as it provides very important feedback for us in this new arena.

I finish this newsletter by saying to all of you again thank you for your continued support and cooperation. It is not easy with all of us in MCO but it is also an opportunity to spend time with our loved ones. I urge all of you to be as safe as possible and to follow the advice of medics and government officials. Together we must beat this, and we will.

Lastly, I am borrowing from Mr Gary's Secondary Bulletin for the staff where he has a quote for the day. Today's is very apt and from Muhammad Ali.
Have a lovely weekend and the week ahead. I will talk to again next week about the upcoming holidays as well.

"Don't count the days, make the days count"- Muhammad Ali


Thank you