From The Board Chairs

We don’t know what Term 4 will bring, but we are quite sure the staff will be equal to it. Meantime we hope that the school holidays have been refreshing for everyone as we gear up for the last part of the school year, which is always a very busy term for students and teachers alike.

The year was rolling along nicely, with only a few disruptions as we popped in and out of Alert Level 2 a couple of times. So Term 2 was fairly ‘normal’ and it was good to make it halfway through Term 3. Deputy Principal Marianne Duston, Chaplain Deborah Wilson and Board Co-Chair Lynne Dovey attended the Presbyterian Schools Conference held in Christchurch on 5 and 6 August, and it was a great event. Wellbeing was a focus of the conference, as was understanding and integrating Te Ao Māori into a work context. Diversity of the student body was also a topic of conversation, encouraging us to think about interfaith connections as we open our doors more and more to students of other cultures and traditions. A keynote address by Rev. Dr Jordan Redding on what it means to be Presbyterian in the 21st century was genuinely insightful. Jordan emphasised the importance of understanding and being connected with our roots, whatever tradition we are from. The conference was hosted by St Andrew’s College in Christchurch and attended by staff, Board members and chaplains from the 12 Presbyterian Schools around the country. It was a great opportunity to meet with colleagues, exchange ideas and learn new things.

In early August, the Principal, Jayne-Ann Young, informed Board members that the Executive Team had completed a review of remote learning procedures to be ready for whatever might happen next, as the Delta variant situation worsened in New South Wales. Good idea we thought, hoping this would not be needed any time soon. We were wrong. And perhaps Ms Young had a sixth sense prior to New Zealand going into Alert Level 4 on 17 August. (A sixth sense is something which school principals learn to develop, we suspect). QMC began its remote learning programme on 19 August. Thinking and planning ahead has really paid off. Staff were able to mobilise very quickly and were in their virtual classrooms with only one day of preparation. Students had been advised to take their devices home on 17 August. Some didn’t quite manage it due to the speed of the move to Alert Level 4, but staff undertook ‘special deliveries’ so that every student had what they needed to continue their studies.

In many respects, the speed and efficiency with which QMC switched to remote learning is a metaphor for how fleet of foot and adept the college is in its approach to learning. The Board is proud of the college’s track record with remote learning, 100% attendance being a great measure of its success. This doesn’t mean that remote learning is easy for students or teachers. We are aware some students find virtual learning a real challenge. The important point is that students are still very much engaged with their teachers and peers and well-integrated into the college community. The Board is constantly impressed with the dedication of teachers and staff generally to individual learning and wellbeing of the students. Thanks to all for your professional approach.

Lynne Dovey and Tim Power QMC Board Chairs