The impact of COVID-19 on College life
Being a Year 12 during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic all students apart from Year 11 and 12 students have been doing online-learning. This in turn has led to us VCE students being the only students physically at school, at first it felt very eerie because our school was so quiet and empty but after the first week of being at school we have all gotten used to being ‘alone’.
Some of my year 12 cohort very much prefer being the only student’s at school because there is less chance of us getting distracted by the loud noises of having a full school of students. Personally I do enjoy the fact that we are the only students at school because it’s much more peaceful and quiet. In addition to this because of the virus our school has allowed students who do not have classes during first and fourth period to stay home/leave early, this again has – personally – had a positive impact on my studying because I am able to study in silence or with my classmates, which I prefer than studying at home.
Although it is unfortunate that VCE students are the only ones on school grounds it has become a comfort and ideal environment for us students to solely focus on school and studying during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lyka Chapman
Year 12 Student & Banksia House Captain
What have our staff been doing?
So what has Mr Kuruc been doing whilst in lock down (but also looking at how to support students)?
In terms of what I am trying to do for our college:
In2Science - I am working closely with this group of university students to secure mentors that can work with our staff remotely and support students in the classroom. Last year, Ms Monga won the In2Science award.
I would like to see staff use these university student-mentors to support and extend the high achievers in their respective classes. It could be in the form of a 'project' or the university mentor could get our students involved in what they are currently studying and bring our students on-board their uni studies as part of their journey through tertiary education.
Either way, we will give our high achievers opportunities to be extended beyond the classroom. They will be involved in dialogue and experiences that we cannot provide.
Earth Ed - this organisation has reached out to me to run some VCE Masterclasses. They have funding and want to support rural students who do not have access to the resources many students living in metropolitan Melbourne have. As a result, they have decided to run VCE classes to make resources more accessible. Fortunately for our school and any school who would like to get involved, students will get additional exam preparation lessons to support them with their VCE subjects.
Monash VCE courses - Recently I ran a holiday program with Monash University called SEAMS (Strengthening Engagement and Achievement in Math and Science). This program caters for those from disadvantaged families. Fortunately, part of my agreement to do this involved giving access to our own student, who may otherwise not qualify for the Programs. SOC students were able to be a part of my 7-hour online course that prefaced Unit 4 Chemistry. This program effectively gave our students a 2-week jump with their learning of Unit 4. Combined with our 3-hour At-School-Holiday-Class on the second Monday of the break, our students were able to bridge 3-weeks’ worth of school curriculum prior to coming into Term 3.
It is with pleasure that I am able to provide you with a snap-shot of some of the things going on behind the scenes within our college.
Steve Kuruc
Head of Learning: Mathematics/Science/Technology
College Captain's radio interview
Please see https://omny.fm/shows/amplify/covid-19-education-panel-discussion-with-aayushi-n for a copy of my radio interview with SYN Media’s 90.7 Amplify, which is a radio programme produced and presented by under 18s.
COVID-19 has undoubtedly had a profound impact on the education sector including how and what content is taught to students. I was invited to share my thoughts and experiences on SYN’s 90.7 ‘drive programme,’ Amplify, which is produced and presented by under-18s alongside the Youth Board Member at the VCAA, Aayushi Khillan, and Program Manager at Primary Connections, Nicola Dziadkiewicz.
We looked at what the assessment authority had done throughout the pandemic to support students in achieving their VCE, as well as how educators had to adapt in response to the ever-changing situation, discussing issues such as equity and what we can learn to help shape how the curriculum is delivered in the future.
You can check out the podcast to that segment here: https://omny.fm/shows/amplify/covid-19-education-panel-discussion-with-aayushi-n
Andrew Leap
College Captain