An Independent Schools Bursars Association (ISBA) webinar given by Mark Steed on Thursday 14th May 2020 updating on how Kellett School in Hong Kong is preparing for reopening the school after 15 weeks of Covid-19 closures

1. Independent Schools Bursars’
Association Webinar
COVID19 –
Progress Report
and Planning for
School Reopening
Thursday 14th May 2020 1800 HK = 1100 UK
Mark S. Steed, MA (Cantab.), MA, MSc,
Principal and CEO
Kellett School,
The British International School in Hong Kong

2. Our Context:
Kellett School, The British International School in Hong Kong

3. Hong Kong Covid-19
Coronavirus
• 7.5m Population
• One of the most densely
populated cities in the world.
• 1,030 cases since 23rd January
(first case in HK)
• 4 deaths
• No full lockdown
• 3 local transmission cases in the
past 3 weeks

4. Hong Kong Covid-19
Coronavirus
• Hong Kong learned lessons from
SARS in 2003

5. Kellett School
Covid-19 Coronavirus
• Last teaching was Friday 24th
January
• Phased opening from Wednesday
20th May
• 15 weeks of Home Schooling

6. HK Education Covid-19 Chronology
31st January EDB announced Chinese New Year extended by 4 weeks: School schools suspended until
2nd March
SLT decision: all staff to return to HK and to work in School from 5th Feb – working pattern
Monday – Wednesday – Friday in school
13th February EDB announced schools suspended until after Easter 16th March
24th February Y13 students allowed onto campus for small group tutorials – Secondary Staff in school
every day.
25th February EDB announced schools suspended until after Easter 20th April
2nd March Y12 and Y11 students allowed onto campus for small group tutorials every other day.
19th March SLT decision: all staff to work from home. Revert to full home learning programme.
UK Exams cancelled
21st March EDB announces that schools suspended till further notice.
5th May EDB announces a phased return to school from Wednesday 20th May.

7. Student Wellbeing
Kellett School, The British International School in Hong Kong

8. Secondary wellbeing questionnaire – week three
8

9. Secondary wellbeing questionnaire – week six 9

10. Secondary wellbeing questionnaire – week ten 10
Week after Easter Break – also post announcement of the cancellation of

11. Student Wellbeing
Initiatives – Prep School
• Prep Schools
• Assemblies are continuing – “Worry
Bag”, World Happiness Day
• Daily “Circle Time” with the
teachers
• Teachers able to monitor and
support
• Musical/ Creative events
• Wearing Red - Feeling Connected

12. Student Wellbeing
Initiatives - Secondary
• Formal
• Daily Zoom Tutor-Student Meetings
• A fortnightly questionnaire for
students (self-reporting 1 – 10)
• One-to-one video-conference “check ins”
(counselling sessions)
• Informal
• A lunchtime ‘Open Mic’ competition with
participants around the world contributing
to the live streamed event
• A Book Week event – online poetry recitals,
book reviews, a ‘Micro-fiction’ story
competition (1000 words or fewer).

13. Student Wellbeing – Lessons Learned
1. The normal issues are still there:
• Schools play a significant role in supporting young people in normal
times – these issues don’t just disappear because the school is closed.
2. Beware the long-standing issues that take on a
new complexion:
• Near ‘School Refuser’ with anxiety issues
• Students with serious long-term illness/ injury
3. The new Coronavirus-related issues:
• Medical – Financial – Family Events – Isolation – Cabin Fever

14. Student Wellbeing – Lessons Learned
1. The normal issues are still there:
• Schools play a significant role in supporting young people in normal
times – these issues don’t just disappear because the school is closed.
2. Beware the long-standing issues that take on a
new complexion:
• Near ‘School Refuser’ with anxiety issues
• Students with serious long-term illness/ injury
3. The new Coronavirus-related issues:
• Medical – Financial – Family Events – Isolation – Cabin Fever

15. Student Wellbeing – Lessons Learned
1. The normal issues are still there:
• Schools play a significant role in supporting young people in normal
times – these issues don’t just disappear because the school is closed.
2. Beware the long-standing issues that take on a
new complexion:
• Near ‘School Refuser’ with anxiety issues
• Students with serious long-term illness/ injury
3. The new Coronavirus-related issues:
• Medical – Financial – Family Events – Isolation – Cabin Fever

16. Home Learning:
Kellett School, The British International School in Hong Kong

17. Home Learning
Prep Schools
• Lessons prepared
• Live Teaching via Zoom
• Initially we did not do this
• Y5 and Y6 teaching
• “Touch Points” at the beginning
and end of the day
• Parent-Teacher Meetings

18. Home Learning
Secondary
• “Live Teaching” following the
usual school timetable;
• Tutor Group meetings
• Tutor-Student Tutorials

19. Secondary wellbeing questionnaire – week three 19
Over 1/3 told us that we were setting too much work. This triggered the re-think.

20. Practical: reorganisation of the timetable
• Shorter lessons in the morning (50 minutes down to 40 minutes )
• PE and community activities into the afternoon
• Moved in response to pupil questionnaire from week six
20
Usual School Day Structure Home Schooling Day Structure

21. Practical: reorganisation of the timetable
https://youtu.be/Dra7tP1KxNk
21

22. Secondary wellbeing questionnaire – week ten 22

23. Staff Wellbeing
Kellett School, The British International School in Hong Kong

24. Weekly staff wellbeing survey 24
1. How would you rate your current wellbeing?
2. Is there anything you are finding particularly
challenging?
3. Is there anything you think that we could do as
an employer to assist you currently?

25. Staff Wellbeing Survey – 27 March 2020

26. Staff Wellbeing Survey – 5 May 2020

27. Staff Wellbeing activities for Lockdown 27
>Quizmaster: YouTube Live Broadcast
>Teams: Connected by Zoom
>Answers: submitted on Google Form

28. Return to School:
The HK Approach
Kellett School, The British International School in Hong Kong

29. Approaches to Re-Opening
Risk-Averse Gung-ho

30. Phased Return - Government Schools in Hong Kong
The Education Bureau (EDB) have announced that
Government (non-International) Schools may start a
phased return from 20 May.
Kellett is planning to do this in the following way:
• 20 May Prep Y5, Y6;
Senior Y7, Y8, Y9, Y10;
• 25 May Prep Y3, Y4;
Senior Y11, Y12
• 1 June Prep Y1, Y2;
• 8 June Prep Reception (Half Days – TBC)

31. It is important that people feel safe.
Visible signs that the school has taken
steps to ensure the safety of the
community go a long way to help this.

32. Kellett - Return to School Protocols
Thermal Imaging
Camera in Entrance
1. Temperature Checks
• Parents have to take temperature
every morning and record in school
planner
• Temperature Check on entry to school

33. Kellett - Return to School Protocols
Technical Specification:
• HIKVISION Thermal Network Bullet Camera DS-2TD2136T Series
• Running iVMS-4200 Software
• https://www.hikvision.com/
• Cost: HK$39,800 per unit (= £4,000) - not including laptop
Captures a photograph
of anyone with a
temperature > 37.2 C

34. Kellett - Return to School Protocols
2. Travel and Health declarations, including that you have not
been in contact with someone in quarantine.
• (We're going to use Google Forms in advance of student return).
3. Masks to be worn at all times in public areas, lessons and on
buses.
• Can remove if on own in classroom or office. A limited supply of
masks will be available at school.
4. Social Distancing on School Buses and Public Transport –
• Temperature checks before getting on the bus and masks
compulsory.

35. Kellett - Return to School Protocols
5. Social Distancing in Classes
• Recommended: at least one metre.
• All students facing forwards
• We’re thinking of changing the furniture to use our stock of
examinations desks in classrooms where the current configuration
means that this is not possible.
6. Social Distancing in Meetings
• e.g. using the Lecture Theatre spaced out, rather than gathering in
common room areas.

36. Kellett - Return to School
Protocols
• Social Distancing at mealtimes –
• Our Health Department consider
this high-risk time
• students can mix;
• students can move around;
• students have to remove their
masks to eat.
• The EDB would prefer us to do
mornings only.
• We have had to demonstrate that
we can socially distance at
mealtimes.
Dining Room reorganised to have tables of 4 at a distance of 2m apart

37. Kellett - Return to School Protocols
8. Maintain regular, thorough hand-washing and sanitizing
9. Contact sports may not be appropriate.
• Some activities (Badminton etc) should be possible.

38. Kellett - Return to School Protocols
10. Who to exclude
from the School
Site:

40. Return to School:
Anticipating Issues
Kellett School, The British International School in Hong Kong

41. When we return – Outstanding Wellbeing Issues
1. Readjustment to working at School
• We need to recognise that it is going to take time to get back to
anywhere near the 'old normal’
• (I suspect schools will never be quite the same again in light of the
closures)
2. Parental Concerns about Reopening.
• Too soon?
• Too Late?
3. Relief – Euphoria - Concern
• Concerns about Progress
41

42. When we return – Outstanding Wellbeing Issues
1. Readjustment to working at School
• We need to recognise that it is going to take time to get back to
anywhere near the 'old normal’
• (I suspect schools will never be quite the same again in light of the
closures)
2. Parental Concerns about Reopening.
• Too soon?
• Too Late?
3. Relief – Euphoria - Concern
• Concerns about Progress
42

43. When we return – Outstanding Wellbeing Issues
1. Readjustment to working at School
• We need to recognise that it is going to take time to get back to
anywhere near the 'old normal’
• (I suspect schools will never be quite the same again in light of the
closures)
2. Parental Concerns about Reopening.
• Too soon?
• Too Late?
3. Relief – Euphoria - Concern
• Concerns about Progress
43

44. When we return – Outstanding Wellbeing Issues
4. Sense of Loss:
• Loss of Key School ‘Rites of Passage’ Events – Graduation/ Leavers Ball
• Farewell Events for staff Leavers
5. Summer Travel
• People who need to travel to see loved ones – Quarantine Implications
6. Ongoing Fallout from Covid-19 Closures.
• The impact of Covid-19 is going to be with us for months.
• Bereavement – Job Losses – Dislocation of Families
44

45. When we return – Outstanding Wellbeing Issues
4. Sense of Loss:
• Loss of Key School ‘Rites of Passage’ Events – Graduation/ Leavers Ball
• Farewell Events for staff Leavers
5. Summer Travel
• People who need to travel to see loved ones – Quarantine Implications
6. Ongoing Fallout from Covid-19 Closures.
• The impact of Covid-19 is going to be with us for months.
• Bereavement – Job Losses – Dislocation of Families
45

46. When we return – Outstanding Wellbeing Issues
4. Sense of Loss:
• Loss of Key School ‘Rites of Passage’ Events – Graduation/ Leavers Ball
• Farewell Events for staff Leavers
5. Summer Travel
• People who need to travel to see loved ones – Quarantine Implications
6. Ongoing Fallout from Covid-19 Closures.
• The impact of Covid-19 is going to be with us for months.
• Bereavement – Job Losses – Dislocation of Families
46

47. The Take-aways of Covid-19
Schools will never be the same again
Kellett School, The British International School in Hong Kong

48. Schools will never be the again:
1. EdTech has come of Age
a) Upskilling of Staff
b) Cloud-based Learning Platforms
c) Shift to Digital Outcomes for Student work – creativity
d) “Educational Continuity Plans”
2. More Meetings will be online
a) SLT Meetings
b) Board Meetings
3. Parents will have greater respect for teachers
4. We will value human contact more

49. Schools will never be the again:
1. EdTech has come of Age
a) Upskilling of Staff
b) Cloud-based Learning Platforms
c) Shift to Digital Outcomes for Student work – creativity
d) “Educational Continuity Plans”
2. More Meetings will be online
a) SLT Meetings
b) Board Meetings
3. Parents will have greater respect for teachers
4. We will value human contact more

50. Schools will never be the again:
1. EdTech has come of Age
a) Upskilling of Staff
b) Cloud-based Learning Platforms
c) Shift to Digital Outcomes for Student work – creativity
d) “Educational Continuity Plans”
2. More Meetings will be online
a) SLT Meetings
b) Board Meetings
3. Parents will have greater respect for teachers
4. We will value human contact more

51. Schools will never be the again:
1. EdTech has come of Age
a) Upskilling of Staff
b) Cloud-based Learning Platforms
c) Shift to Digital Outcomes for Student work – creativity
d) “Educational Continuity Plans”
2. More Meetings will be online
a) SLT Meetings
b) Board Meetings
3. Parents will have greater respect for teachers
4. We will value human contact more

52. It’s a marathon not a sprint 52

53. The End is in Sight 53

54. More information
Kellett School, The British International School in Hong Kong

55. Covid-19 Advice for School Leaders Series
1. Pt1: Advice for School Business Managers:
2. Pt2 - What to Expect
3. Pt3 - Communications Strategy
4. Pt4 - Protocol for being allowed onto the
school site.
5. Pt5 - Well-being Issues
6. Pt6 - Paperwork for Home-Learning
7. Pt7 - Pace Yourselves
8. Pt8 - Re-Opening
linkedin.com/in/independenthead/

56. Mark S. Steed MA (Cambridge), MA (Nottingham), MSc (Ashridge-Hult Business School)
Principal and CEO of Kellett School, Hong Kong
Email: mss@kellettschool.com
Twitter: @independenthead
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/independenthead
Blog: independenthead.blogspot.com
SlideShare: slideshare.net/independenthead
YouTube: Search for independenthead
Kellett School:
The British International School in Hong Kong