Principal's Report
Remote Learning 6.0:
As I write this newsletter article Melbourne has hit 200 days in lockdown. Something that we could not have imagined at the beginning 2020. Despite the challenges this has brought everyone, there will be light at the end of the tunnel and there have been many positive moments with a focused effort in ensuring our students continue their learning and stay connected while keeping everyone safe. This week I have had many conversations with teachers who are so impressed by the resilience of our students who are always attending their classes and completing their work. There have also been a number of examples of students and teachers reaching out to support each other in many ways.
A small example that is worth sharing is the ‘check ins’ by ASPIRE teachers (in addition to their period by period teacher). This quick check in has resulted in enhancing many student teacher relationships as students discover they might have similar interests to their teacher that they can discuss. For many teachers they have found out that many of their students have a range of hidden talents that they are now sharing. What has been very heart-warming has been the numerous examples of students checking in on their teachers to see if they are OK. The positive impact this had on our staff has been significant and really shows that our students live our values for community. I would encourage everyone to continue checking in on friends, family members and even their teachers. These small acts of kindness make a big difference.
We have shown over the past 18 months that whilst we keep up our routine of school, keep talking and checking with each other and supporting each other we are able to succeed in lockdown. If families would like further support, I would encourage them to reach out and contact the school at any time.
New Senior Learning Centre:
Due to the current lockdown, works on the new Senior Learning Centre won’t be completed until early Term 4. However, the works are progressing well and we look forward to taking occupancy next term and start the process of furnishing it ready for use late in term 4 or for the beginning of 2022.
In addition to this building there will be three new courtyards created for students to use as passive recreational spaces as well as break out spaces to the adjoining classrooms. The courtyards will provide a link between the new building and the college library, provide a new outdoor space where room K5 – K8 have been located and new area next to the old Senior Learning Centre on the oval. These spaces will include garden beds, outdoor furniture and locker bays that will help reduce congestion in the main courtyards of the school. We expect this work to be completed in 2022.
Community Week:
Our student leaders have been planning a week of celebration with the theme of ‘Coming Together’. It has been rescheduled for the final week of term and includes a range of activities for students to get involved with. We are hopeful that this current lockdown will end in time and that this is a positive event for students to return to. I would like to recognise our student leaders for maintaining their focus on this event despite the uncertain world we live in at the moment. It will be a great week and I can’t think of a better time to ‘come together’ if lockdown ends in time.
School Review:
In term four the school will be undertaking it’s four yearly review. This process is facilitated by an external consultant and will involve reflecting on our achievements over the past 4 years and identifying further areas for improvement. In addition to the external consultant, a Senior Education Improvement Leader from the Department of Education, two challenge partners (Principals at two other secondary schools) and the School Improvement Team (Principals, leaders, and teachers) will form a panel to undertake this review process. As a group they will review the school learning data (i.e. NAPLAN results, PAT test results, teacher judgements along with our annual surveys of students, staff and parents), facilitate forums with students, staff and parents and visit a range of classrooms to get an understanding of the school’s progress over recent years. This information is then used to set key goals and targets for the next four years.
The school leadership team is looking forward to this deep dive into our progress and current practices so that we can further build on the ongoing improvements at Brentwood in the future. We also look forward to reporting back to the community our learning and the outcomes of this process.
John Ballagh
Principal