Associate Principal, Operations Report

It was a delight to see and hear immediate past-School Captain, Isabella Bradbeer, during our Assembly on Wednesday of this week.  Bella sang the song of praise, “My Lighthouse,” she taught us last year and also a piece which I understand was her own composition.  She gave our assembly a special feeling and a connection to our Old Collegians.

The Assembly also featured short appearances by a number of teachers.  All Heads of House were “present” and each person who spoke addressed the feelings of loss they are feeling as we teach remotely.  The efforts of staff to deliver the Remote Learning Program have been first-class but all of us would agree that our classes lack the personal engagement of “normal” lessons.  We hope to see each other in-class sometime soon.

The Assembly made clear the sense of community that we enjoy here.  It is something that keeps the bonds of friendship together when students finish school and it is most evident at reunions.  It is also evident in the way our students are finding ways to keep connected.  Mentor meetings, boarding meetings, House meetings, classes and other connections all display a joy in the presence of others.  Technology does have its advantages!

As we look forward to returning to school – no doubt in a way that will require some changes to our normal practices – we can look forward to re-connecting in person.  Importantly, however, we should also  remember that connections can be maintained despite distances.  It is those connections that enrich us as humans and one of the benefits of this period has been the confirmation of this.

I hope parents have felt connected to the school over the past weeks.  There have been several information presentations recorded and I trust you have been able to view them.  This week, further sessions were recorded, particularly early in the week for Junior School families and also for our international families.  Please contact us if you have concerns or queries – that connection is important too!

Finally, a reminder that, as advised last week, next Friday, May 15th is a pupil free day which replaces the previously-scheduled Report Writing Day of Friday, June 5th.  

Neil MacLean