Message from 

the Principal

Last week saw a number of announcements from the NSW Government regarding the pandemic and schooling. Orange and the Central West continue to experience new cases of the coronavirus and there are many uncertainties for us to manage in the coming months as a school and as a community. It is important to remember that none of these challenges are insurmountable and I hope you will join me in remaining optimistic and positive about the future. 

I wrote in our most recent newsletter about the importance of perspective and of focusing upon those things that are within our control. I referred to Viktor Frankl, whose attitude to adversity saw him survive the horrors of Nazi Concentration Camps during World War Two. He argued:  

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” 

One only needs to observe our Paralympians as they currently compete in Tokyo in what is a fabulous festival of human spirit, drive and talent. It is inspiring to see how people have overcome disadvantage, conquered obstacles and shown immense character. They have done this by adopting a ‘can do’ attitude and by having the courage and self-belief to achieve in their chosen field. It is their attitude to the challenges they have had to face in life that has seen them triumph. How we chose to respond to the challenges we face is totally dependent upon our attitude, a factor that is totally within our control. 

I feel for our students and staff as they constantly adjust to the challenges presented by the pandemic and their resilience and agility is an enormous credit to them. I know many of our students, particularly our Year 12’s feel somewhat bewildered as so much has been taken out of their control. So many unknowns exist. We do not know as yet what the schedule for the HSC examinations will be or indeed what will be examined. At this point in time, all that has been confirmed is that the HSC Examinations will take place on November 9 with a revised timetable with results to be published in mid January. I have no doubt that this uncertainty is creating anxiety among some students. As Mark Scott the Vice-Chancellor of Sydney University so truly wrote over the weekend: 

“My advice (to the students of Year 12) is to block out all the noise and focus on what you have control over. Look after yourself, complete your assessments, prepare as best you can and follow the advice of your teachers. And if COVID changes how you thought things were going to be this year – well, that is just how 2021 has gone. It will work out OK.” 

Whatever the HSC examination program looks like, the HSC will be awarded and the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and the University Admissions Centre will work to ensure the HSC and ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) are as fair as they can be. 

ATAR’s will be generated, and tens of thousands of offers will be made. Our students are very important to the universities whose existence is dependent upon our resilient and capable Year 12’s. In the present environment universities no longer have access to an international market, they need local students, lots of them. 

Mark Scott says, 

“We can be certain that there will be university places across the country for those who want them. This year more than any other, it will be important not to get hung up on getting a single ATAR or into a single course at a particular university. In any year, some students will earn the place they want straight away and others will miss out, but plenty of options can open up. There are many ways to eventually land the course you want – countless students every year make transitions in their university career – into different degrees and to other universities. Often students really don’t discover their passions and interests until they are through the doors.” 

Our students understandably put enormous pressure on themselves but they must remember the HSC is not the ‘be all and end all’. There are so many paths that can be taken to the destination they wish to find. Whatever the ATAR achieved, or the course that one initially embarks upon, it is very straight forward to change courses and direction along the way. This was certainly my experience as I began my university journey studying Architecture.  

I recommend an excellent article by Professor John Fischetti, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle titled ‘Relax, your kids aren’t really falling behind’ where he provides some wise advice of how, with a good positive attitude and sense of perspective we can take much of the pressure from our shoulders as we embrace the opportunities presented to us during this period of disruption.  

I have included Professor Fischetti’s article below: 

Relax, your kids aren't really falling behind

The lockdowns and school interruptions of our COVID-normal world are playing havoc with our day-to-day routines. Family life runs around the schedule of school terms, uniform washings, packing lunches and the ebbs and flows of our daily routines. We are usually busy with the social side of school - sport, celebrations, birthdays and sharing with our neighbours and friends the joys and sorrows of watching our children grow.

We love our teachers and we count on them to inspire our children - and us - with their magic. Now COVID has made us teachers too - and turned our homes into schools. We didn't sign up for this, but here we are. As days turn into weeks of learning and working from home, it's a good time to think about how fortunate we are rather than how burdened.

Even with my 40 years of experience as an educator, this situation is new to me. I've not dealt with a pandemic before, but I've orbited the sun enough times to provide a perspective that might help our amazing parents and carers through this time.

In no way do I intend to minimise the great stress and angst many of us are experiencing. Parents are juggling like crazy right now. So many of my fantastic colleagues are working full-time and schooling at home with babies, school-age children, and university students all tapping the WIFI bandwidth. Families whose students have special needs are missing the supports that schools provide for learning and social interaction. Many families have minimal access to technology, which hinders learning from home. And year 12 students are worried that their future options may be limited due to the time and space we are in.

While the struggles are real and the obstacles great, here are just a few thoughts to help us moderate our worries and notice the opportunities.

Let's practise positivity

Human brain wiring includes more than 100 billion neurons, which, especially in young people, can be changed by stimulation - good or bad. The unanticipated time that we now have with our children is tough and stressful, but it is also amazing. We are there to see them struggle, we are there to help them succeed. We can get to know them the way their teachers do - for their funny jokes or their unique ideas. And we can influence their wiring through positivity and gratitude. We also can share our appreciation for our teachers, first responders, health care providers and supermarket workers. Wonderful Aussies are doing amazing work every day to help all of us. Let's recognise and openly thank them in front of our children.

We aren't really falling behind

Many parents are worried that their children are falling behind. My reaction to that real sentiment is, 'behind what?' Yes, we are doing things differently but we aren't behind. Young people are resilient. We will be back in physical school in a few weeks. And our year 12 students will be fine. Based on last year's data, most will do about as well on their HSC as they would have without. There are many pathways to TAFE and university, so we shouldn't treat the HSC as the be all and end all.

Kids also need what we call "future-focused skills" such as dealing with ambiguity (we've had a lot of that in the last 18 months), critical thinking, owning their own learning and seeking to serve the greater good. We can practice all of these right now.

Build play into each day

Many of the lessons teachers are designing can be accomplished in multiple ways at home. Young people love games, puzzles and using their fertile imagination. Turn a review into a contest between sock puppets. Have your child explain a concept to her dolls and film it as evidence of her own learning. Turn a geometry lesson into a search for rectangles and triangles in the house. Learn fractions by counting skittles or marshmallows, then eating them. Build a reading "tent" with sheets and pillows and add a torch for a bit of adventure.

Get outside and breathe together

The latest research recommends that we try to walk at least 6000 steps per day. How many of us have met that goal this week? It's early spring in Newcastle and the perfect weather to get out and breathe. Build outdoor activity into the daily schedule and even use it as a chance to 'do school.' Some assignments might be accomplished by naming clouds and photographing them or measuring tides at the beach or looking for five purple things along your route. In the normal rush of our pre-COVID world, a mid-day break might have been impossible. Let's take advantage of that now.

Enjoy the precious present

Events in Afghanistan remind me how much I take for granted our freedom and privilege. We are used to being an on-the-go society. We miss our weekend plans, events and travel. But our kids grow up fast. Our daughter turns 30 in two weeks. She was just a primary student five minutes ago it seems in my head. Spend extra time with your kids. Take the pressure off. Laugh, play and breathe. Enjoy the precious present. Our kids deserve for us to be the best versions of ourselves right now, and we can be. Even if we do all need a haircut.

Professor John Fischetti is Pro Vice-Chancellor, 

College of Human and Social Futures, University of Newcastle