Hakea House
The 2020 school year has certainly been an eventful time for us all. Not only have we survived the Covid-10 pandemic, we have emerged that bit stronger for the experience.
We have taken many lessons from remote learning. Staff and students have reflected deeply on this time and have identified the positive things we would like to hold onto moving forward into 2021. For instance:
- building stronger student, teacher and parent relationships
- having lessons visible on Compass
- giving regular and more effective feedback to students.
These are insights we will bring to our teaching and learning in 2021 as we continue to build our learning community together in Hakea and at DHS.
In Term 1, students worked together to raise money for our charity, Backpacks for Vic Kids, raising funds to support this worthy cause. This is work that will continue next year; students will no doubt pick up from where they left off to support kids in need.
A highlight of the year was right back in Term 1, where students represented Hakea proudly at the Swimming Carnival, coming second overall. We were all very proud of the collective effort students put in supported strongly by our student leaders.
Chorales was not held this year, which was very disappointing for Hakea students who had already started rehearsals at the end of Term 1. I have no doubt they will come back bigger and better than ever.
Although the remaining shield activities also did not end up taking place, we all look forward to returning in 2021 as strong participants and contenders at these events where once again the Hakea spirit can shine.
Since returning to school in Term 4, students have been amazing in their attendance, participation and engagement in classes. Our students have made the most of the time they have been able to come to school, enjoying the social connections but also the learning they now have a new appreciation for. Our year 7 students have enjoyed their Term 4 Project Based Learning project where they constructed a Rube Goldberg machine. Some examples are shown below. Students collaborated to make their designs and had a lot of fun testing out the final products, learning much along the way.
Our student leaders
I would like to commend our Hakea senior student leaders who have been outstanding role models, inspiring our students with their unwavering leadership throughout the year. Our House Captains, Vishna W and Naweed S, and Year 12 SRC student representative, Amira H, all worked enthusiastically in leading their Year 12 peers and all Hakea students. They never hesitated when called upon to send out messages of support or to initiate online chats and activities, which were appreciated by all.
Our School Captains, Nishadi W and Abas H and School SRC President Elham A have also worked diligently throughout the year to support students.
We have been so very proud of all Hakea student leaders, they are outstanding individuals who selflessly focus on the community, wanting to leave their school a better place, which is something they have truly achieved.
We wish our Year 12s all the best as we send them off onto their future pathways. We hope they have many fond memories of their time in Hakea House and at Dandenong High School.
Warmest wishes to students and families for the holiday break. See you all in the New Year.
Mrs Andrea Bellgrove
Hakea House Leader
Mr Andrew Elkington
Assistant House Leader