It is time to Get Going Again

As we launch into another period of remote learning for many in our college community, it is worth thinking for a few moments about how we might get going again. Some of us may be a bit despondent and these feelings that we are now ruminating about are perhaps really weighing on us. Some of us may be even desperate at times, and wish that we could go back and change things and wish this pandemic disappears. Well, we can’t! 

We can, however, decide what we will do in the future… what choices we will make now to “get going again.” If you are in these circumstances, or even a lesser version of them, you do have some choices you can make.

Acknowledge the fact that there are people around you – family, teachers, classmates and others – who are there to help. Start your improvement journey for term 3 by asking for their assistance to help you “do better” in this next phase of remote or onsite learning. You will be amazed at how willing others will be to help you. 

Make the choice to help someone else in some small way... don’t just sit there just thinking about yourself, go and do something, anything, to make someone else feel better. 

As you work your way through these steps, identify a new goal that you will work on to achieve. Establish an important goal for your life, that sets the wheels in motion for things to get better for you in the weeks and months ahead.

As I indicated last term, another practical thing that each person can do is to write down one thing each day that you are particularly grateful for and take a few moments to celebrate this either in a moment of quiet reflection or with a small group of friends, colleagues or classmates.

Finally, it is still really important to focus on those things that we can control. The Coronavirus depends on human transmission to survive. If we deny it the opportunity to spread, it will eventually recede and die out. We will continue to do all that we can to play our part in keeping everyone in our community safe. We need to persevere for as long as it takes to get this sneaky virus under control and to protect those who are most vulnerable in our society.

Michael Phillips OAM

Principal

Stay Connected

Welcome back! It has been great to see the VCE and VCAL students return to school. Together with staff they have settled well into their routine with a positive mindset. Many co curricula programs will be remotely organised such as careers interviews and subject selection for Years 9-12, 2012, rehearsals for The Wedding Singer, Music Ensemble practices, Gala Evening and future planning for 2021 leadership positions. It is going to be another busy term!

We need to stay connected as life will continue to bring challenges that requires resilience, courage and hope. Everyone, therefore, has an important role in building relationships and networks within our community. By supporting each other, sharing the load and strengthening of our network with the health and wellbeing of everyone being the primary aim. 

To encourage perspective for action and to build collective efficacy Teresa Amabile’s progress principle can be utilised as a guiding philosophy.

Of all the things that can boost emotions, motivation, and perceptions during a workday, the single most important is making progress in meaningful work. And the more frequently people experience that sense of progress, the more likely they are to be creatively productive in the long run. Whether they are trying to solve a major scientific mystery or simply produce a high-quality product or service, everyday progress—even a small win—can make all the difference in how they feel and perform.

Think about means to improve wellbeing through:

• Diet and Nutrition-Are you taking a break for recess/lunch/afternoon tea and eating well?
• Mindfulness practice-Are you using methods to focus on tasks to ground yourself?
• Physical Exercise-Are you taking sufficient rest breaks and getting some exercise?
• Mindsets-Are you down on yourself or are you relatively positive?

And, to strengthen connections and wellbeing:

• Journal your experiences through photography (Project 365) writing or drawing/painting.
• Explore Mindfulness Apps such as ‘Smiling Mind’.
• Create a new ‘Connect’ group through social media-a coffee and chat, a wine/cheese chat 
• Promote the Action for Happiness calendar for inspiration

www.actionforhappinessaustralia.org

You may wish to read this interesting document by Dr Lucy Hone and Dr Denise Quinlan: 

Real-time Resilience Strategies for Coping with COVID_19

Enjoy a relaxing weekend ahead. Gather your positive energy and re focus for the next few weeks.

Maria Allison

Assistant Principal