Assistant Principal's Report 

Mr Mark Henderson

Assistant Principal

Reflection on Remote Learning

At Westall Secondary College, our staff, students and wider community united during a period of uncertainty to ensure learning was not affected by COVID19 or remote learning.

Like the other staff, I am immensely proud to be part of such a united community and learned a great deal about myself as an educator, a leader, a husband, a father and as an individual during this period.

I summarised my thoughts on an unusual Term 2 in this video: https://vimeo.com/411236429

Our staff used poetry to express their experiences and learning during remote learning. The following I AM POEMS were compiled by Ms Sam Dewhurst and bring together the thoughts of our staff.

I wish everyone a restful and ‘normal’ holiday break and I look forward to seeing everyone in Term 3, ready to go for Semester Two!

Mr Mark Henderson

I AM . . . 

I am ready

I face the screen once again!

I sit alone 

I wait for the dots to appear

I look and wonder with a cheer 

I urge to see faces

I want to reach out in places

I can’t see anyone out there 

I realise it’s quiet as I speak

I peak to let out one more shriek!

I want to leave because I cannot see 

I wonder if they too want to quit

Abi, Andrew are you there?

“yes I’m here” a little voice replies shy

I stare once again and see me

A reflection, I don’t want to be

I hope for them to be present tomorrow?

I wonder if the cherubs will show?

Do not hide anymore

I pave the way to comfort you

To make you believe how incredible you can be

I plea

I am ready

I am remote

I wait again for the dots to appear.

__________________________________________

I am sitting on my couch, staring at my screen.

It’s becoming a very mind-numbing routine. 

I miss my helpful colleagues and energetic students.

I can’t wait to get out of this apartment. 

I long for some warm, social exchanges.

This isolation is making me just a little bit deranged!

__________________________________________

I am getting a stiff neck at my computer all day

I wonder how teaching will change after this remote learning experience

I hear the quiet whispers of my students speaking reluctantly

I see their images but not their faces

I want to see their smiles, puzzled expressions or blank faces

__________________________________________

I am teaching from home in my tracksuit.

I wonder if the students miss school as much as I do.

I hear nothing except my voice calling their names ‘Are you there, Mark?’

I see how awful my hair looks on the screen.

I want to go back to school soon to see you all and eat some yummy chicken and chips!

__________________________________________

Isolating and hungry so I go off to eat

The teacher talking on and on

I feel like I need to meet 

All the deadlines however my son

Jumps on me and it’s a real feat.

__________________________________________

I am planning out my lesson

I wonder if they’ll be engaged

I hear my cat beckon

I see fluff instead of my screen

I want to be able to plan in peace

__________________________________________

I am looking at the screen

I wonder if they even care

I hear silence after my question

I see another I’ve already answered

I want this to end already.

__________________________________________

I am craving the warm embrace of my Westall colleagues

I wonder how many people are in PJs from the waist down in remote meetings

I hear the courier pulling in - what the dickens has she ordered now??

I see stars after staring at the screen for too long

I want to be able to do multiple things at once!!!

__________________________________________

I am a remote teacher

I wonder if my students can feel that I am trying my best to reach them with my enthusiasm across cyberspace

I see their initials and icons on the screen, and when I suddenly see one of their faces I get a shock

I hear their voices, sometimes clear and sometimes muffled by inadequate internet, and sometimes I hear nothing at all.

I want this phase to end as soon as possible, but am not sure we’ll all handle being back in the classroom when it happens.

I am certainly enjoying the quiet roads, more time for cooking, and staying in my pyjamas until 8.30 

I am teaching remotely. 

__________________________________________

People ask why I love remote teaching

If they mean that everything has changed upside down.But knowing everyone safe at homeIs what makes her happy.It reminds her that whatever happened the entire day,You can still get a beautiful thing in the end. 

__________________________________________

I am changing students to attendees

I wonder how many will be late

I hear the tip tapping of keys

I see what they create

I want to be able to go overseas

__________________________________________

Access

Denied

What? Why? How can I thrive??

Uh there I am, I see my face

No sea of faces

No banter

Silence

Just my voice talking to myself about ‘stuff’ I already know  I see you nodding, good, you understand what I’m saying, good, good

Wait! It’s Just me

That’s all I see 

Oh where for art thou classroom? 

How I miss thee

Bring your faces back to me

Smile 

Access 

Denied

__________________________________________

I am ready

I face the screen once again!

I sit alone 

I wait for the dots to appear

I look and wonder with a cheer 

I urge to see faces

I want to reach out in places

I can’t see anyone out there 

I realise it’s quiet as I speak

I peak to let out one more shriek!

I want to leave because I cannot see 

I wonder if they too want to quit

Abi, Andrew are you there?

“yes I’m here” a little voice replies shy

I stare once again and see me

A reflection, I don’t want to be

I hope for them to be present tomorrow?

I wonder if the cherubs will show?

Do not hide anymore

I pave the way to comfort you

To make you believe how incredible you can be

I plea

I am ready

I am remote

I wait again for the dots to appear.