From the Library 

Announcing the Ripples cover photo competition winner

Congratulations to Mosi Jones of Year 12 for submitting the winning photograph that will be the Ripples 2020 cover image. 

Mosi’s photo depicted a girl and her dog on the basketball courts outside the school, during lockdown. He thought the photo would be fitting for the Ripples yearbook cover because it reflected the school values of humanity and curiosity.  These values are represented by the relationship between human and animal, as well as place. The basketball court was where students would meet and connect before the pandemic closed the school. He also felt during the restrictions people become more in touch with nature and the basic things in life.  

There were thirteen entries in total. The judging panel consisted of the Principal, Sue Harrap, with Dean Ashton, Jerome Rush and Jenny Tripp.  We decided all the entries would be published on the back cover of Ripples 2020, to acknowledge the students creativity and effort. 

A big thank you to all those who took part in the inaugural Ripples Photography competition.   

You Grow Through What You Go Through - Student Responses to Remote Learning

During a whole of staff Professional Development session, staff were presented with activities and displays that fostered contemplation and conversations by students in response to remote learning and their experiences of 2020.

The Library Team were inspired to use one of the examples in the PD titled ‘You Grow Through What You Go Through’ and made a large pinboard available to all students in the library foyer.  Students were invited to write a positive and negative response to remote learning and isolation, using raindrops and flowers to represent the contrasting experiences.  

Comments included skills acquired during isolation from academic, recreational, social and emotional, self-reflection and personal development, through to musings on world events and some humorous observations. 

Having the display in an open area has generated much discussion, amusement, thoughtfulness and camaraderie amongst students and staff. It has been wonderful to see students and staff spend time reading the comments and comparing their own experiences during remote learning and isolation.

Thank you to all the students and staff who participated in this group project.