What an incredible time we live in! A sad situation for Victoria, especially the very vulnerable in our communities.

This week the Premier declared a State of Disaster. We live with a curfew between 8:00pm and 5:00am and really are not allowed to travel further than a 5km radius from our home. Exercise is only for one hour per day and shopping for essentials can only now be done by one person per household.

These further restrictions are an attempt to reduce movement and drive down the COVID numbers. I really hope this works.

This week our VCE students joined the Year 7 to 10s and returned to remote learning.

Although not ideal – peoples’ health is more important than anything else.

I feel sad for the staff and students, we really have loved having them back at school but I know they are indeed a resilient, strong group and will cope with the adversity.

Monday 3 August was the last day of face to face this term.

I am an optimist and am hoping, through some miracle, that we may return sooner than expected! Here’s hoping anyway.

BLESSINGS

During adversity, however, it is really important to look for the many blessings that life brings.

Last week during Yard Duty the Stage Band was rehearsing. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful it was to pop into the auditorium and see and hear these wonderful people. Such a joy.

Another blessing was a wonderful parent baking and bringing in enough chocolate cake to ‘feed an army’. Saying thank you for the efforts of staff. We are indeed a part of a wonderful community.

Then on Tuesday, Compass Community Care provided every Year 12 with a ‘care package’ sending them good wishes. What a wonderful generous act of kindness!

Another blessing was the opportunity to join Year 11 Physics class with Mr Zhu on Wednesday.

What a wonderful way for these students to start their remote learning chapter 2!

We began with a mindfulness activity focussing on breathing and gratitude. Great lifelong strategies that help students to be focussed and concentrate but also to manage their stress and anxiety.

I was blessed to see great teaching in practice, linking past lesson material to continue the understanding.

Clarity of learning intentions to analyse vertical motion and success criteria explicitly set out.

Structured detailed notes were provided with clear explanations.

Group participation to work out accurate responses moving from theory to practical experiment.

Key concepts being explained all virtually.

Great technical tools were used to help students engage, participate and learn.

What a blessing and privilege this was. It makes me so proud.

The dedication, commitment and enthusiasm by Mr Zhu and so many of my teachers is to be applauded.

Chloe James (Class of 2019) has been featured in a story in the Age newspaper. Please see the story in the link below. We are so very proud of her achievements. Congratulations Chloe!

https://www.theage.com.au/culture/music/under-lockdown-young-opera-singers-watch-themselves-and-learn-20200806-p55j4b.html

DATES TO REMEMBER

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER