From the Acting Head

The last two weeks, and this week, in particular, have felt a lot like we have been playing a giant game of Twister, assuming impossible poses and extending beyond our natural reach!

What a privilege it is to work at a School where staff are so determined to continue to do what they do best and to pivot on a dime if it means benefiting the students.

One of the School’s most defining events is the annual Senior School Production which has been struck by several of the constraints ensuing from measures aimed at slowing the spread of the Coronavirus. The easy thing to do would be to cancel the show. Instead, it has been reimagined to give our students the experience that they so look forward to each year. In particular, our Head of Drama, Ms Mandy Ellison, was determined that our Year 12 students have the curtain rise on a Girton Production in their final year at School.

At this stage, the plan is to perform Macbeth in our Black Box theatre, which will entail a considerable amount of re-working of the show and all kinds of audience and actor restrictions. Owing to the reduced staging space in the Black Box, the most regrettable change to the show is a reduction in the number of cast members who will be able to perform this year. Far from complaining or withdrawing, the Macbeth cast responded with grace to this difficult decision and cast members in Years 7 to 9 have amiably accepted that this year, the show is not to be for them. The students have responded with incredible maturity and support for one another. Our Drama students understand the inherent value in going on with the show, whatever shape it takes, and they have expressed a strong desire simply to ‘be together’ no matter what the end product may be.

Meanwhile, we have Basketball and Netball teams continuing to train, supported by their Coaches, despite knowing that the likelihood is that they will not compete in matches this season. Again, they understand the value in staying fit, having fun and being connected.

The sound of Music ensembles continue to fill the hallways for now and things like the annual Harmony Day BBQ fundraiser, for which we were unable to get sufficient food supplies, became the “dollar donut” day with students enjoying an extended lunchtime.

Every day we are ducking, weaving and adapting as we work to keep our students and staff safe and to deliver the best possible educational experience to our young charges. Our adaptability is only possible because we have committed staff and positive students, cared for by supportive parents.

Who knows what next week might bring? Perhaps a virtual school, but after that, two weeks of holidays which every single member of our community has undoubtedly earned.

We have a large portion of our parent community working in the health sector, and I thank them for their tireless work and wish them all the very best as Australia faces the COVID-19 virus in the coming weeks.

Dr Emma O’Rielly

Acting Head