From the Principal’s Desk, 1 October 2020
Dear Parents
Welcome to Term 4! This is the last stretch to the finish line, and we are excited to have all our students back at school.
I managed to take a few days during the school holidays to enjoy a break on the beautiful West Coast. This was an opportunity to rest and relax, but also to reflect on the past year.
During my break, I read an interesting article about ‘the new normal’: a phrase which has become a regular addition to colloquial discourse. We have all had to adapt to some kind of ‘new normal’ during lockdown and I am concerned that we are caught up waiting for life to return to what it used to be. The question is, do we want things to go back to what they were? As educators, do we want to teach the way we did prior to Covid-19?
I would hope the answer for all educators would be “NO!” Each one of us was presented with challenges, but more importantly, with new opportunities. Our teaching methods have adapted and been enhanced by the challenges of the past months; our skills have improved. Why then would we want to go back to the way things were? Let’s forget the old methods and focus on the following opportunities:
- More authentic learning experiences
- Better professional learning and teaching amongst staff
- Increased staff collaboration
- Different leadership styles and methods
These are just a few identified areas of change.
I am certain that our students do not want to return to the old ways, and this should be celebrated as a win!
There is opportunity in every challenge we face, and we have the responsibility to make the best of it. Change is as good as a holiday.
“If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”- Maya Angelou
We wish all our Year 10, 12 and 13 students the best of luck whilst they are writing their final external examinations. We believe in them and wish them every success.
Have a wonderful weekend with family and friends.
Kind regards
Edna
