Banksia House
Term 3 update from Banksia House
As the Banksia House Leader, together with the House Leadership Team, we are filled with incredible pride when we reflect on the Term so far (and the year). While these times are not easy, our students and staff continue to face every ‘new’ challenge with a level of energy and enthusiasm that is inspiring. Every day we see, hear and share stories of our ‘wins’, which always centre around the themes of incredible spirit, agility, resilience, courage, patience and most importantly growth – growth as learners, growth as people and growth as a community.
Our staff continue to learn about, trial and use new platforms and tools to engage our learners, often sharing their successes through our House Google Hangout and in Team Meetings.
Staff are working hard to make connections with all learners, especially in the first 10 minutes of class, through trivia games like Name That Movie, quizzes, classroom riddles and brainteasers, colour challenges, mindfulness, meditation and brain breaks, all to build a sense of Team, collaboration and fun. Teachers have built websites to support students as they navigate their own learning and they often run small group sessions with students to clarify for understanding. The list goes on and on – no wonder our teachers are tired!
Our staff continually seek input, feedback and guidance and are always asking questions about what they can do better to meet the needs of our students. Many have invited our Learning Specialist and our Assistant House Leader into their ‘virtual classroom’, people who work tirelessly with our teachers to support their growth and the engagement of our students.
Our wonderful Learning Intervention Officers are checking in with each of their students regularly and are supporting their understanding of the learning in each lesson which is not an easy job virtually, yet they still manage it every day!
Our Student Leadership Team continue to inspire and encourage our community, meeting fortnightly to brainstorm ways we can come together, even though we are apart. We have launched our House Google Classroom, a Banksia House ‘mood boosting’ song playlist, and the Team have shared continual words and videos of encouragement through email and Compass. They are also organising Year Level lunches, lunchtime games and clubs, movie nights, riddles for the week and again, the list goes on and on.
I know we are all incredibly grateful for their creativity, energy and drive.
Here are some words from one of our Senior Leaders, as she reflects on her experience so far:
Remote learning has been challenging but through this unique experience I have found resilience and self-discipline, pushing myself to stay on top of my work independently with the help of my teachers. I am still able to socialise virtually with my peers and teachers, as if I am still onsite! The challenge that I’m facing is that I don’t have that face to face communication with teachers that I need very much. It’s also easy to become unmotivated and sometimes it's hard to push myself to stay motivated. It’s my new found practice of Gratitude daily though that has changed my perspective on life during this experience.
And finally, to our students and families. Despite the distance and the challenge of remote learning it is evident you are all doing your best to navigate these times and support one another. We thank you for the gratitude you express when we call, each and every week and it is certainly lovely to hear your friendly voices as we continue to strengthen our partnership.
We are very proud of you all and we cannot wait to be with you once again.
We miss you, we believe in you and we know you will continue to achieve remarkable things. Well done everyone!
Please take care and do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need anything, we are only an email away!
Kelly Krieg and the Banksia House Leadership Team