Learning  

WELCOME BACK

‘We are learning, that though we weren’t ready for this,

We have been readied by it . . .

Know what we’ve fought

Need not be forgot nor for none,

Come over, join this day just begun,

For wherever we come together,

We will forever overcome.’

'New Day's Lyric' by Amanda Gorman

Welcome back. I hope that you and your families were able to enjoy a restful and joyful holiday break. We are very excited to have our students back on campus for the start of the school year.  While there might be a certain degree of trepidation about the logistics of the return to school, we are committed to providing students with as much consistency as we can in the weeks ahead. 

Our school theme for 2022, ‘Together in Mercy’ perfectly encapsulates my own aspirations for our students this year. For the last two years, much has been asked of our College community.  The long weeks of remote learning forced students to be more independent learners.  While this was certainly an invaluable learning experience, we look forward to coming together once again this year and reconnecting. From a learning perspective, being together will give us opportunities to share what has been learned and to capitalize on the richness that can come from conversation, collaboration, and collective efficacy in the classroom.  Most importantly, we come together ‘in Mercy’: showing kindness and compassion to ourselves and each other; striving to be of service to each other in all things.   

This term will undoubtedly be a challenging one. While we will strive to keep learning continuous, we know that there will be students, as well as staff, who will be forced to isolate.  In the event that a student must isolate as a close contact, learning materials and an outline of class activities will be made available to that student, so that they can work independently at home.  In the event that a staff member cannot be at school, their Learning Area team will help to support students to continue learning, by providing materials and setting tasks so that progress continues here at school.

What is paramount, of course, is the health and wellbeing of the affected staff member and student and so communication is key. We encourage students to communicate with staff and we will be there to support them until they return to school. In this way, we will put our theme, ‘Together in Mercy’ into practice. 

A final note about the 2021 Mathematics Review.  Our last newsletter of the year did not include the findings of the Mathematics Review as promised.  We apologise for the oversight, please find the findings below.  Once again, a final thank you to all members of our College community who so generously gave of their time and feedback in this process.

Last year I drew our students’ attention to the words of the youngest ever American Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman.  I opened with another of Amanda Gorman poem which echoes our theme, reflecting on the challenges faced by our world as we enter 2022, with hope for a better, more connected, future.

I look forward to working together in Mercy with your daughters this year. 

Ms Fiona Lennon

Deputy Principal, Learning & Teaching