Director of Students 

Directors of Students Report

As we returned to our 6th lockdown, I, like most, turned my attention to the Olympics. 

I was struck by the sudden success of our swim team.  Records tumbled and wins from behind were common-place.  I saw the calm confidence of our athletes and the amazing displays of enthusiasm from their coaches.  I also reflected that our swim team had not had a good showing in Rio or London.  The Australia media was also filled with amazement at this sudden improvement in our swimming fortunes.    

I came across an in-depth article in ‘The Age‘ outlining the core reasons why our swim team improved so quickly and came so far - and found certain parts of this process have applications inside schools.  In particular, that ‘Swimming Australia‘ believed the core of their success “It is about giving people the freedom to be themselves while understanding you operate in a team”.  I found this is equally applicable in a school.  Our school operates as a team, from your classmates, your peers, to your teachers, our support staff, our parents and our community.  We work together as a team while also respecting the freedom to have opinions, to experience things differently and come to our own conclusions.   

I was also struck by the Head Coaches‘ understanding of the team “We have got this young group of athletes who are just resilient and determined and they keep each other up,” Taylor said. “We also have a focus on your behaviour and how you are around your teammate, regardless of your result.”.  I see this within our VCE students. We work together, towards the common goal of a personally successful VCE.  I see our students looking after one another, messaging staff on behalf of another student, working together to plan events, planning fundraising, lifting each other up and celebrating all our successes.   

When the announcement went out on Thursday that we were returning to remote learning, I went into the common room.  I saw our students helping one another pack their bags, comforting each other, sharing the milk and biscuits in the common room, organising study group sessions and rushing to photocopy notes and text sections to share with each other.  This is our school keeping each other up.    

This support of each other was seen through the Year 12s Formal planning.  Slipped between rolling lockdowns our students fundraised, planned, decorated, and organised their own Formal “Starry Nights”.  A Formal forms a rite of passage for our young people, a rite which has had to evolve in our Covid world.  Awards for ‘Best Mask’ replaced ‘Best Dressed’ and the dance floor was sadly closed. However, our students, through their grit and determination, were able to run their formal.    

The resilience our VCE students have shown over the last 18 months is further evident across the whole school.  Whilst the challenges of remote learning continue to be ever present, our Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 students continue to grow both academically and personally, supporting each other and their families in an ever-evolving, uncertain situation. 

It is an opportune time to remind everyone that there is no right or wrong response during lockdown.  There will be moments to celebrate and moments that get the better of us.  Allow yourself the freedom to respond as the experience unfolds, never be afraid to ask for help and reach out to those in times of need. 

Damien Landini and Grace Terdich 

Directors of Students