Time: the Gift for Conversations

Regardless of your daughter’s ability at school, her performance in Year 12 may be hindered by feeling overwhelmed as she navigates the unprecedented disruption and uncertainty around the completion of Year 12. Our community hopes your daughter remembers that she is at the forefront of our thoughts and prayers – and that we are all hard at work designing, teaching, learning, and preparing memorable experiences that will take her to the same destination – just via a slightly different route.

While learning from home, keep an open dialogue with your daughter and encourage her to take ownership of learning. At this moment in time, you need to remain positive, avoid arguments, and create a united front as she adapts to a changing and unpredictable world. Harness the blessed opportunities to sit down with your daughter - to engage in the gift of time- before you do, ask yourself, “What do I really want for my daughter?”

Frank and trusting dialogue will benefit any conversation, whether on study habits, life balance, or the daily news and events. In conversation, encourage her to focus on her aspirations and set goals that are salient and realistic . Set Plan B as she can create alternate pathways in achieving her career goals. Chat about barriers that may affect her long-term aspirations. Remember to respect your daughter’s ability to make decisions. In conversation, allow her to speak without interruption. Remember: she will learn and grow more from being part of the decision-making process, especially in respecting her ability to work things out. Developing critical thinking skills will allow her to ascertain the problem and develop a solution that is beneficial in moving forward - a skill essential in making life decisions. While you may have an alternative opinion, the best tactic to motivate your daughter to understand and maybe take on your opinion is to respect and acknowledge her view.

In conversation, listen and, if your daughter has a different perspective, do not react; instead promote a healthy discussion. Promote engagement. Ask questions that will lead and encourage a more realistic look at her decision-making. If this approach is adopted, your daughter will be more open to your suggestions. Remember to persist. Think about the goals for your daughter but allow her to establish her own. Decisions can be emotional, as this will involve change. Furthermore, careers guidance plays an enormous role in this decision-making, facilitating and assisting in setting Plan B. Encourage her to make an appointment with Ms Melissa Loveday, our Career Counsellor, for up-to-date information on courses, scholarships, and pathways.

For you as a parent, the hope is that your daughter will emerge from her education as a resilient, responsible, autonomous, and independent young woman, ready to make a positive contribution to an ever-changing world!

In conversations, encourage your daughter to:

view teachers as partners in learning or coaches,
acknowledge she is going to have to dig within for motivation,
connect and create on-line study groups; remember, while peers serve an important social role, they are an essential resource to tap into,
link in with college staff, or a friend or family member,
revise learnings in short-term and long-term strategies,
stay in routine - ask her about the three self-care things she has done today! (Beyond Blue,2021)
enjoy fresh air and sunshine, and make sure she switches off her mobile phone during lessons (Dr Carr-Gregg,2021)
acknowledge negatives, embrace positives, leverage strengths.
strive for a sense of purpose, know your strengths, values, and philosophies. (Ilene Berns-Zare PsyD,2021)
pray for those in our community who are struggling with enormous challenges - may we continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers. Remember Megan Reid and the fabulous Redkite charity, supporting the families of children diagnosed with cancer.

Bridget Piper

Student Reflections

While I would much rather have in-person learning, we are fortunate that the College has a solid protocol and resources in place for on-line learning. Thanks to the extended period in lockdown last year, it has not been as difficult to adjust to learning on-line. However, I still find it challenging to balance schoolwork, exercise, and downtime. I try to take study breaks between classes and during lunchtimes, so I am not sitting at my desk all day, as well as message friends to stay connected. Creating a weekly/monthly study plan has helped to manage my studies and is something I highly recommend to other students, especially in the lead-up to mocks and external exams.

Jillian Effeney - Villa Spada 3

Having lived the uncertainty that was onl-ine learning last year, we are only proof that, with effective communication, hard work, and dedication, and – just as importantly – sufficient rest, learning from home is possible. This being the second time for most of us, it follows that we should all be better prepared - though, and I’m sure others would agree, that’s far from how it feels. For anyone else struggling with frustrations, stress, and lack of motivation, and for any Year 12s concerned with assessment, just know that you are not alone. Maybe COVID-19 has taken away our physical proximity, but what it hasn't taken is our technology, which (when it works) enables us to connect with our classes to learn, clarify questions, and provide much-needed feedback. This last point, though often overlooked, is extremely valuable for ensuring our college is providing the best system possible to support all students. Please, if something isn’t working for you, say something. Remember, everybody is somewhat new to this system, so be patient, enjoy your freedoms (sleep-ins) and, last but not least, look for the positives. I, for one, am only more grateful for my teachers, friends, and family (mainly my dog), to whom I extend my deepest gratitude for making this all possible.

Olivia Snape - Villa Spada 5

One thing that has been difficult in on-line learning is the lack of movement between classes which creates a less structured timetable. This has caused me to adjust by taking a break for a couple of minutes to restructure my day and ensure that I am ready for my next class. A way in which I manage on-line learning is by having a monthly and weekly planner so that I don't miss any work. By messaging my friends between classes I can maintain connections, even through on-line learning, which has helped me stay on track with my schoolwork. For students in other cohorts, I recommend utilising planners to organise and keep up to date with your classes. Also, don't forget to take breaks as this will make sure you don't burn out.

Fiona George – Perugia 9

COVID-19 has been challenging in many ways. We have had to find makeshift classrooms, and study alone without the company of peers. While it has not been straightforward thus far, the arrangement is only temporary and, hopefully, we will see each other's smiling faces when we return to the classrooms.

To improve my mindset, I list the positives - simple things- to look forward to in the future instead of dwelling on the past. It is as simple as a snack, just around the next corner, and the welcomed opportunity to spend more time with family. Watch the Olympics or play with my dog. While small, these things help motivate me to remain positive. Focusing on the simple things directs me to ponder what needs to be done instead of dwelling on the past - "things that cannot be undone!" (English, 2021)

Online learning has brought many positive experiences like asking questions through messaging, wearing comfortable boots and slippers, and not having to walk up twenty million stairs. Nevertheless, I do miss the physical school environment and the company of others; however, as time goes by, I am embracing on-line learning -discovering better ways to take notes during the live streams, asking questions when needed, and using recordings to review content covered in lessons. It is becoming easier.

Molly Kerr – Rieti 4

Once I heard the news that for at least a week I would be learning from home, I wasn’t the most excited person. Although last year’s lockdown provided a lot of free time as my lunches weren’t filled with meetings and clubs, I missed the interactions with my fellow peers and teachers. Since I am not in a learning environment and surrounded by students who also want to learn, I have found that, even in these past two days, I needed to create and maintain a stricter schedule; this allows me to stay productive. To try and stay positive, I remind myself that I am not alone in this pandemic as many students are experiencing the exact same thing. I consider myself lucky as, through social media, I am able to keep in touch with my friends as they, along with my family, are my support system. For students, not only in my year level but in the years below, I would encourage them to treat each on-line lesson similar to an in-person class. This means having the necessary books out, being on time for the class calls, and turning the phone off and leaving it in another room. Through this, they can maximise their learning opportunities.

Samantha Maguire – Greccio 2

Lockdown, as with a lot of people, proves quite difficult for me. My family becomes overbearing and I feel like I lose all of my freedoms and have my individuality locked up. My escape from everything comes in the kitchen. When I have a break from on-line learning with a spare or during my lunch break, I’ll jump up and run to the kitchen to cook a healthy snack or meal, for example, this sushi bowl I made for lunch. If anyone is struggling with handling the lockdown, I would just say, push through the classes and do the homework like normal, but find some time to separate yourself from others – family and people online – and find your safe haven.

Cara Fraser - Greccio 1

Resources:

Supporting student wellbeing during COVID-19 with Dr Michael Carr-Gregg (jacaranda.com.au) Raising Resilient Kids in the Coronavirus Era w/ Dr Michael Carr-Gregg Tickets, Thu, 11 Jun 2020 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite SPECIAL REPORTS | SchoolTV.me 4 Ways to Let Go of Perfection and Embrace Vulnerability | Psychology Today Generation Z: Digital natives but are they digitally savvy? - Superstar Teacher - Blog Ilene Berns-Zare PsyD | Psychology Today

Quick Dates

Week 5 Term 3

All subject to change, of course!