Head of Campus
Stepping it up as we move onwards
As the dust is still settling on the ‘roadmap’ from the state government, we want to affirm we are fiercely committed to the agency, wellbeing and rights of our students. If you have not had the chance to read Marilyn’s letter released earlier this week, it explains for us the relevance of Steps 2 and 3. As soon as more information comes to light we will pass it on. In the meantime, we know community compliance is working to reduce the daily transmission rates of the virus, which means a quicker return to onsite classes.
Conference feedback
We have never had so much positive feedback after Three-way Conferences, with parents remarking about the efficiency of the online model and the ability to truly satisfy the intentions of a ‘three way’ conversation between student, parent and teacher. We realise there were some glitches as well, and we hope that you have since had the opportunity to catch up with any teachers you may have missed on the nights.
We would love to receive any additional feedback you may have about your experience and preferences via an email to daniel.symons@preshil.vic.edu.au. We are collating this to consider how to make the best of these new opportunities for our students.
Onsite provisions for essential DP assessments during Stage 4
I want to affirm that, even up until the return of DP students on Monday 12 October, we are able to hold onsite assessments for necessary Diploma Programme requirements where these cannot be held online. These provisions under Stage 4 restrictions have been effectively negotiated by students and teachers on a case-by-case basis, and DP students will be notified if there are any upcoming instances.
It was so exciting to see the success of oral assessments for Language B: Spanish Ab Initio on Monday. Both students and their teacher, Kat Girbau, reported that their hard work had paid off, and that they entered their individual sessions with well-earned confidence. Their resilience is admirable.
Finding meaning and hope
Thinkers in the past such as Camus, Nietzsche and Sartre assailed life’s monotony with creativity, courage and stubborn tenacity. Maybe we can take heart from their approach and discover inventive purposes in our new daily patterns and discover that the life we once imagined for ourselves can be transformed by the surprising capacities we have developed through these hardships.
Dan Symons
Head of Campus