Deputy Principals

LANCE RYAN

Deputy Principal -

Teaching & Learning

It was the Ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, who said: “The roots of education may be bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” I can think of no time better than now, at the end of Term 3, into our second year of Covid -19, with our students still in lockdown that we can take hope in this astute aphorism.

Every family has felt the impact of our current situation. With most students at home instead of on-campus, remote learning is the current norm rather than being in a physical classroom. Although the influence of an in-person, physical learning environment has been limited, our students, from the youngest to the most senior have actively taken, with the support of their wonderful parents and teachers, the opportunities to engage, share and learn in an environment that no-one in history has ever done before. It has been a remarkable achievement not just of technology and willpower but of adaptation, resilience, and courage. It has been difficult for many students and families during this latest of lockdowns. To keep moving forward, to focus upon the work at hand, and to live in a strange twilight zone of not knowing what will change and when.

However, it is exactly in this that we can find the deep understanding and acceptance that although difficult and perhaps even “bitter” at times, we know that education is worth the struggle and turmoil. Not just to get a particular job or career, but to enlighten us, build our character and provide us with opportunities to which we can only dream.

Our students, parents, staff, and community have worked together in a way, like never before, giving our young people hope and stability in their learning through a most challenging historical time. We have been focused, resilient, and strong in our commitment to creating and continuing an education that may be tough at times but in which gives us a taste of the sweet fruit that is fulfilment and life.

PETER DICKINSON

Deputy Principal - Operations

As we conclude Term 3, I believe there is much to acknowledge for our students and staff as we come to the end of another period of remote learning. With determination and commitment on behalf of everyone, we have been able to consistently maintain our teaching and learning programs, despite the challenges that we have faced. Many other schools will envy what we have been able to achieve.

Our students deserve a huge accolade for being online and ready to learn each period, each day. The flexibility of our remote learning model has allowed us to adapt expectations or make changes for individuals, classes, or year levels, and yet, across the school, our online attendance rates have been maintained at a consistently high level.

As part of my role, I participate in the fortnightly welfare meetings for each year level. Across the school what comes through these meetings time and time again, is the unbridled commitment of our teachers towards the care and wellbeing of our students. Their responses and actions have helped to ensure our students are being supported especially at the moment. I must also acknowledge how our teachers have continued to devote themselves to their classes each day by endeavouring to engage and motivate their students.

I believe another strength of our remote learning model has been in the way we have endeavoured to listen to student voice through the feedback they have been providing. Whilst we can not always do what they may be seeking, I hope that they understand that we are always seeking to validate their voice and make appropriate changes as a result. There were a number of examples over the past month where this was the case.

There are many elements to consider when it comes to defining success and it can look different for different people. In looking back on these past few months, I believe that we can all celebrate the successes we have been able to achieve as individuals, families, and as a school.

I wish everyone in our community a blessed, safe, and healthy holiday.

I Can. We Will!