Deputy Principal's Report  

The Challenges We Face

Greetings to all and welcome back. I think it would be safe to say that nobody would have predicted that the first half of 2020 was going to play out the way that it has, however it has been most refreshing to see all girls back on site in the past weeks. Observing the degree to which human life has been impacted has been simply remarkable; I find it hard to identify one section of our existence that has not been impacted. As a world event, it is something that those who have experienced it may very well retell for years to come. 

The fact that it has coincided with the final year of PCW has not been lost on me. As a small school, the demands it placed on many were no less significant. Nevertheless, as I have mentioned before, I was heartened by the support and understanding extended to all parts of our community in order to get through to this point. With the years 7 – 10 returning last Tuesday, we have finally returned to PCW being a place of collective joy and exuberance, functioning in a manner that we may well have predicted.

There has been much discussion about the effects of the pandemic on us all. Looking at the impact on education in the PCW context, my mind shifts to the quote from Rahm Emanuel, Member of the US House of Representatives, Chief of Staff to Barack Obama and former Mayor of Chicago. It has been repeated many times in the past weeks and months, and with good reason. It states;

‘You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that: 

It’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.’

As an educator, I am in no doubt that the past months have impacted on all students. However it is my strong belief that our girls have returned as better learners than they were previously. Additionally, teachers have spoken openly about the insights gained into their students, which can only be positive. Whilst not wanting the pandemic, we can certainly see that the opportunity to learn remotely has had considerable upside. 

This did not happen by chance. Devising a workable model for remote learning was an opportunity that presented itself. Ably led by our Director of Innovation and Pedagogy Mr Simon Gitson, it was embraced by both students and teachers alike, and whilst acknowledging  that it wasn’t ideal, it certainly added a dimension to the teaching and learning programs of the school that we may well have not experienced. As a result, teachers have commented on having a sharper focus on what learning intentions they are endeavouring to achieve each lesson; students have acknowledged the importance of less distraction and undertaking learning activities to achieve the intended outcomes. What we take from this into the future remains to be seen, however I’m confident that in education, we are better for it.

It would also be remiss of me not to acknowledge the outstanding work done by our leaders in the area of student wellbeing. Staying connected in a virtual world presents many challenges; providing a place where students can gather, talk, learn, socialise and stay connected is vitally important. Our Directors of Student Wellbeing, Mr Rory Godbold and Ms Hayley Fraser, along with the School Psychologist Lisa Tang, led this incredibly well. Their ability to stress the importance to teachers and students to stay connected, providing activities for the girls that may well exist on normal school days, and then providing check ins and safety nets for those in need, was nothing short of outstanding. We are blessed to have them at the school and for their leadership in the past months.

As part of the PCW community, we have much to be proud of. Our students showed their resilience, continuing to learn in spite of the most difficult of circumstances. Additionally, they reached out and supported one another, checking in to make sure that despite the circumstances, people may have been alone but not lonely. Our Faith and Mission leaders, along with Ms Josie Dilettoso, gathered us together each Friday in prayer and reflection. It was an incredible show of solidarity, having the whole school present in a virtual world, and a place where we could all connect. 

We are indeed fortunate to be a part of something special, filled with the Presentation Spirit that is alive and well. I thank one and all for their support.

Brenden Mair

Deputy Principal