Head of Campus 

Resilience

After starting this article earlier last week when we were all celebrating being together again, I have had to abandon any notions of being thankful for the return to onsite school and focus my attention on the positive aspects of remote learning.

While nobody wanted another lockdown, here it is! So why not focus on the opportunity that it can be? Identifying those enjoyable activities that are best done at home and, regarding this time as the chance to make the most of those experiences, could help to boost resilience. Seizing the moment to explore those activities you enjoy but never have time for can help to increase feelings of self worth and motivation.

Try something new, like getting into the garden, starting up an exercise regime, expanding the culinary repertoire, trying out new crafts, practising a musical instrument, playing board games or puzzles, meditation or yoga, reading in front of the fire, designing and building with Lego or Minecraft, writing a story, lying on the floor cuddling your dog, or just listening to your favourite music and soaking in the bath. Finding your favourite home-based activity can ignite imagination, foster curiosity and help you to stay positive in times like this.

For our wonderful students, this ‘home time’ learning represents an opportunity for them to delve deeper into researching subjects they enjoy, enables them time to refine and edit essays and reports, gives them the head space to hone skills through repetition and analysis but, most importantly, allows time for self-care. While I am constantly amazed by the care that our students display for one another, it is important that we encourage them to build strategies that support their own wellbeing and mental health. Remaining connected with friends is imperative, and finding engaging home activities can foster creativity and build a sense of competency.

Despite this lockdown, our Year 10s have been working tirelessly towards their Personal Project exhibition and are keeping fingers crossed that the community can come and celebrate their hard work at the exhibition on Thursday 19 August. In true resilient Preshil style, a contingency plan is already underway to adapt this exhibition if COVID strikes again.

Similarly, the Year 12 Visual Arts and Film students have continued to produce great work despite their changing learning environment. As their year draws to a close they refine and complete work ready for their exhibition on Tuesday 14 September.  

Thankfully, we had already decided to move our DP Subject Expo online to Monday 16 August at 6.15pm so please join us to find out more about the DP and the subjects we offer. This expo is also a great opportunity to speak with the teachers currently teaching these subjects. 

Our 2021 production of The Little Shop of Horrors has also been an exercise in resilience and perseverance. This latest lockdown has caused us to move the performance dates again to the last day of term and first day of the Spring holidays. Our cast and crew continue to rehearse lines, make costumes, design make-up, learn music and hold on to the knowledge that the show will go on!

Reviewing the MYP programme in readiness for our evaluation in October has once again highlighted to me how brilliant this IB programme is, likewise our MYP teachers. The opportunity to work with these expert educators to develop skills and knowledge through conceptual investigation, analysis and synthesis in a broad curriculum seems like the ideal education. This important MYP development process is being led by Natalie Kunst and we couldn't be in better hands. Natalie not only brings to us a wealth of experience and knowledge but also a deep sense of understanding and respect for the Preshil teachers, culture and the IB. 

For me personally, the highlight of being stuck at home is spending time with my family and pets while trying to get fit and learn to bake bread! I hope this is the case for everyone in our community.

Karoline Kuti

Head of Campus

karoline.kuti@preshil.vic.edu.au