Parent feedback

Remote and flexible learning has certainly impacted us all and has set some new challenges for all staff at Koonung. One of the lovely things about working at Koonung is to witness the wonderful parent support that we receive and the letter below is a heart warming example of this.

Dear Koonung Secondary College Teachers, Education Support members and all staff

We are writing to thank you all for your extra time, effort, professionalism and care during these unprecedented times.

At all stages in the ‘move to’ and the ‘application of’ remote and flexible teaching and learning, a sense of calm and control has resonated via the purposeful and timely communication by teachers, coordinators and leaders at KSC.

A special thank you to Allira, Alistair and Helen for their direct communications with our son, and to his year level cohort. They, and all the staff at KSC, have continued to keep students and the parent/carer community informed and feel supported, particularly over previous weeks.

It is in times of crisis where cohesive, clear and supportive leadership enables individuals to successfully manage change, and for teachers to deliver curriculum that continues to reflect the high quality of teaching, learning and individual care that we have experienced since being part of the KSC community at the beginning of this year, we are so grateful for this.

Finally, thank you again to all the staff at KSC for all that is being done for the student community. The hard work and long hours put into planning and delivering the remote teaching and learning doesn’t go unrecognised, and is very much appreciated.

Student leadership stories from Isolation

Thank you to some of our student leadership group who have provided the following insights on how they are coping with their new way of remote and flexible learning.

Tim Woodfield (Vice-Captain)

Over the last couple of weeks, the definition of “school” has changed. We’ve gone from 6:00 am wake up calls, and the daily train trip to the 8:40 am wake-ups and the tedious task of moving from the bed to the computer. Given I’ve got some travel time back, I thought I’d write something about how I’m getting through this strange time.

Right now is a time full of anxiety for students, and especially for VCE students. I miss playing two-square at lunch with my friends. I miss classroom discussions with my friends and teacher that take place within an actual classroom.

Like some of my peers, temperamental internet has been a challenge during some of my Zoom lessons. These are all valid reasons to be anxious during this time, but I thought the more beneficial thing to do would be to share some of the positives for me since distance learning began.

Since distance learning began, I have never been more well-rested in my life. My body no-longer yearns for sleep when I wake up. The ability to remain asleep before sunrise has been a blessing. I now feel invigorated when I “go to class” (Click the ‘join meeting button’), changing my demeanour and outlook for the better. In addition, I’ve never felt more in control of my learning because of other opportunities and activities that have gone into lockdown. I am now able to decide with less credulity how to structure my study time. While classes still run at standard times, the ability to have brain breaks during class time (standing up, having a sandwich, playing with my dog for a couple of minutes) has meant if I lose focus I can re-centre myself and continue to work. As a result, my work ethic has improved, and my dog has never received more attention.

Saying that not being at school has been 100% beneficial isn’t right, I like most people (yes, you too my fellow introverts) have been missing the simple interactions of the school experience. But for me, the responsibility to keep my school day structured while at home has improved my motivation and given me a greater sense of confidence in my learning.

Ruken Zeyto (Literacy Captain)

I really do try to remind myself how lucky I am to be safe and healthy during this pandemic, but that still hasn’t stopped me from facing difficulties in this time.

As much as I’ve tried to ignore my negative thoughts, the reality is that I’ve been feeling a lot less like myself and a lot less whole. As a socialite who likes to keep busy, I was originally distracting myself with lots of technology (youtube and Graham Norton episodes are my poison). However, this time period is great for self-evaluation, and by confronting myself, I’ve started being more awake and effective with my time. I’ve been finding enjoyment in activities that I usually wouldn’t have the time for; running, Duolingo (trying to re-learn some Danish!), playing guitar, and reading (lots of reading) have all been very fulfilling and a much needed outlet for me. On my daily walks, I’ve even noticed how much kinder and more receptive of one another we are during this time.

Yes, doing extra study is very un-motivating. But focusing on the things that I love to do and the way that we have come together during this time has really helped my perspective.

Hayley Alday (Drama Captain)

It’s weird to think that for the past 12 years we have been trained to be motivated when we arrive at school and then to relax when we come home. Yet now that’s all flipped on its head and somehow, I need to navigate Year 12, and relax all in the one room, all the while dodging all of the many siblings I have, just to stay sane. It’s unfair that this is how our Year 12 year will go.

But the one thing I keep reminding myself, and I feel that others need to be reminded also, is that at least we have a home to come home to. At least we have a family to keep us company and at least we are privileged with the resources that we have to still be able to graduate this year.

So just remember, this virus will end soon and we will be wishing we had more time at home again!

Ella Morrison (Streeton House Captain)

To say that I’m sad about the direction that our Year 12 (or perhaps your first year of high school or the year you finally get to do work experience or live life) has gone is an understatement. Although there is a lot we will miss out on, there is so much that we can gain from being isolated. Some of my favourite things about isolation are that I have lots of time to sleep, bake, procrastinate, get through my pile of books to read and learn lots of new ways to stay connected with friends. Remote learning, on the other hand, is not as terrible as many of us have worked it up to be. Not looking at yourself in a zoom class takes almost as much control as not looking in the reflective windows of room 33, a problem I didn’t expect to encounter (haha!). There have been amusing moments as our teachers struggled with zoom and unexpected free classes from technical difficulties, which have all been unexpected positives. My teachers have been very open to remote learning, trying new things and listening to us as students, and I am very thankful to have such supportive teachers in Year 12.

Embrace the positives, don’t think too hard on the negatives and it’s okay to not be productive all the time. Stay at home and stay safe!

Reka Roply (Literacy Captain)

Little did I think that one day I would actually miss the feeling of reading on a train, surrounded by other people just like me, calmly absorbed in their own worlds. Who would have thought I'd miss catching the bus with my friends (finally getting let on ahead of people because they respect the Year 12 jumper!), or smiling at those random ptv-catchers that I see every day but I know I'll never talk to...I'm about one more laggy online class away from, I don't know, sitting on the washing machine and pretending like the backyards I can glimpse from the window are actually fields moving dramatically past. After all, they do say to try and simulate your daily schedule as best as you can?

Anyway, my love letter to ptv aside, this one is for all the ptv rats like me who suddenly find themselves with an extra three hours in their day: the possibilities are endless! Whether we choose to spend it exercising, taking up youtube-based ballet, learning sign language, or simply sleeping, it's one thing in this crazy mess I know we can appreciate.

Alvin Fung (STEM Captain)

As an avid learner and an individual who strives to be the best I can be, self-isolation has really put things into perspective. Never would I have thought that I would miss school so much. Seeing my friends, my teachers, learning and just interacting with other individuals in general. We are so accustomed to going to school every day that we never really appreciated the power of a teacher interacting with us in person through our learning, providing us with a sense of understanding. Or the joy and fulfilment of laughing with our friends, even the discomfort of working in a team full of unlike-minded peers. I think it’s a great time for all of us to self-reflect on the privilege we have to live and learn, something we all may be guilty for having taken for granted.

Sarah Whitebrook (College Captain)

Everyone always asks, “How are you going?” with a look of pity, and while times are tough I’d say I’m actually going pretty well all things considered. It’s nice to be able to spend some more time with my family and just slow down considering how fast-paced our society has become. During the ‘holid

7D English Writer's Notebook reflections

My 7D English class had a chance to reflect on the impact of coronavirus when I asked them to complete a Writer’s Notebook reflection on the 15 April based on the following prompt:

"Last month on the 15 March, I understood that things in the world might be changing but in the last month I could never have anticipated…"

Last month on the 15th of March, I understood that things in the world might be changing but in the last month I could never have anticipated .......that we would be doing school without leaving home. It just blows my mind that we will be doing school work within the comfort of our rooms at home. The thing that excited me the most was the fact that we could be eating and in our pyjamas while doing schoolwork. My parents were trying to convince me that the work would be harder because we didn’t have the teachers to explain it to us but I know that they are just as excited to work from home as I am.

"Last month on the 15th of March, I understood that things in the world might be changing but in the last month I could never have anticipated....being in the kind of lockdown that we are now experiencing.

We have been told to stay home as much as possible and only go out for essential shopping, one exercise per day, essential work or for medical appointments. I haven't seen my friends almost a month now and it is really strange for me. Some of them I see pretty much every day of the week and although I facetime them it's still not the same.

Online school is very different as well; I like to work with others so now doing it by myself is challenging. It's a lot more of a hassle to ask questions to teachers and we don’t often get an immediate response which can be hard to work around.

Also, my family often has the ABC news on at night which always has some nasty and sad stories however now it's all about the virus with all the huge numbers which can be quite depressing really. Online, they try to bring a bit of light with funny stories with people in quarantine, but in the end it is shadowed by the negative side.

So I guess being in quarantine is pretty different for me (and making me a bit crazy) but we are all learning to live with it and it is bringing out some positives in life."

"Last month on the 15th of March, I understood that things in the world might be changing but in the last month I could never have anticipated... Coronavirus. Back then, we went to Westfield to go shopping for some essentials and clothes for my trip to Japan. It was great but the following day was the day I was looking forward to. We had special plans that were so exciting. But when I woke up, all the shops, parks and trips were cancelled. That’s crazy! Time goes so quickly. Yesterday I was going to the shops and today all the shops are closed. A few weeks have passed and all the shops are still closed and I'm still stuck at home. Because of Coronavirus it is unsafe to visit your grandparents. This is very sad and unfortunate because I often go to my grandparent's house. It feels like forever since I've seen them, it's sad not being able to see your grandparents and relatives. Also, school is closed and now we have to do online school. It's great, but it's not the same. I miss seeing my friends and having fun. Being bored is the one thing I'm feeling a lot at the moment. There's not a lot to do when you're at home and keeping yourself occupied is hard. If you're like me then you get bored very easily and can't concentrate. It's hard. I'm just ready for the day when Coronavirus is finished, when all the shops are open and we can travel again.'

Glenda Hanslow

Director of Learning – English and Literacy Across the Curriculum

Across the year levels...

Darcey Gifford 8A

"Remote learning has gone fairly well for me. I enjoy learning at school, and learning at home has not been much different. I really appreciate all that teachers and workers are doing to help school run smoothly."

Mitchell Rowe 11F

“It’s been good as you can do your work in your own time which sometimes means that you have your afternoons free. But sometimes it can be challenging if you have multiple Zoom lessons a day and needing to complete work for each of those subjects. The one bad thing is you don’t get to see your mates as often as you used to. The school has done an amazing job in getting the information out to the students and their families.”

Music

Music classwork continues while studying remotely