I have had the pleasure of speaking with so many parents in the past few weeks as we undertake our phone-athon… in connecting with every School family. These calls are so vital. This unique and highly personal approach mirrors the essence of our School. And after the initial reaction of surprise or concern in having the Principal on the line, there is a real sense of appreciation for us reaching out to you; yes, we are really concerned for each and every one of you. Listening to the stories from families demonstrates the variety of experience you have had, yet in almost all instances, the time spent as a family through the Remote Learning period has been a real gift. A gift of time, simplicity and of slowing down from the frenetic pace we all live; release from the challenge created by the spreadsheets of after school activities and the complexity of daily professional and personal expectations. You have told me of some of the concerns at the beginning, in finding the rhythm of Remote Learning, whilst your children have basked in the longer sleep-ins, and putting formal school uniforms aside, yet in every case, missing friends and the familiarity of the school routine and support of their teachers as a constant presence in the classroom, was noted.
I have been greatly encouraged by the extent of gratitude shown for the Staff. Your appreciation of the extent to which they have gone, in support of your children, has been acknowledged, and I have taken great pride in sharing this with the Staff. Throughout this period, the Staff were required to think about and design numerous pathways to the outcome they desired for their students and in so doing were often seeing opportunities for alternate outcomes which in turn became important to the learning experience. But what was so challenging was the rapid shift in conditions they were accommodating as we responded to the expectations of Prime Minister, Premier and Chief Health Officer! It is no wonder that many of you have noted the level of fatigue in your children and thus these holidays that are now upon us, are most timely. It may have been a short term, but we cannot underestimate the impact such change has wrought.
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