3 minute read
Dean of Learning - Senior Years
FROM THE DEAN
OF LEARNING SENIOR YEARS
COVID CHANGE
I REALLY THOUGHT 2022 WOULD SEE A SHARP DECREASE IN THE WAY COVID INFLUENCED OUR LIVES. I WAS WRONG. AND WHILE WE BECAME IMMUNE TO DAILY CASE NUMBERS AND OUR ADDICTION TO EXPONENTIAL GRAPHS RECEIVED THE APPROPRIATE TREATMENT; COVID INFECTED MANY OF OUR DECISIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REDEEMER GATES. THE COVID FACTOR CONTINUED TO PROVIDE US WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO REFLECT, RE-EVALUATE AND REFINE BOTH THE WHY AND WAY WE DID THINGS. BLENDED. FLEXIBLE. ONLINE…
Many of our Parent Information Sessions throughout the year were hosted online or in a blended mode; allowing families the choice to meet in person or remotely. Personalisation. Key Assemblies and celebrations, including the Valedictory Awards for our Class of 2021 were livestreamed. The flexibility and opportunities that these changes permitted are an ongoing side effect of COVID and just one example of how the pandemic transformed our operations.
While online events provided greater flexibility and choice, it was indeed special to welcome our Class of 2021 back on campus, in person, to recognise their achievements and celebrate with them. Congratulations to the cohort for their outstanding results. Together with our 2022 cohort, I wish each Redeemer graduate every success as they transition to the next exciting phase of their life. May Christ lead you as you curiously and courageously seek to co-create and serve God’s world.
I am also incredibly proud of the achievements of our students across all year levels. It continues to be an honour to witness their dedication to learning, growth, performance, and high level of engagement. In 2022 we saw the largest number of students receive Academic Honours Awards. This is testament to the work ethic of our students. Hard work is a symptom of success. Both are infectious. Hard work, however, is not a vaccine for failure. We must see our failures as learning opportunities, a way to strengthen our resilience. Successful results and fantastic learning do not happen automatically. It takes a team of highly skilled and committed teachers, together with supportive family members to generate success. It is a pleasure to work with such a wonderful team and witness people daily inject their heart and wisdom into all they do.
NAPLAN returned in 2022 for the Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 cohorts after the National Assessment Program was quarantined in 2020. The ongoing pandemic meant that national participation rates were the lowest on record. Redeemer, however, continued its strong presence and performance in NAPLAN. This was a positive RAT (Routine Academic Test) result worth celebrating!
2022 saw SH Block relegated to the history books as demolition was completed and a major new facility emerged from the ground in its place. With completion of this project due in the coming months it will provide a shot in the arm for personalised learning and teaching across the campus. The building will become the new home of STEAM+ (Science Technology Engineering, Arts, Maths) and provide exciting opportunities for these areas to collaborate, rather than work in isolation.
No doubt 2022 was another opportunity to continually reflect on and refine our teaching and learning practices at Redeemer in the partial shadows of COVID. Amongst the changes and the pivoting, one constant light remained firm, strong and consistent. The light of our God continued and continues to shape our path and provide the ultimate why and how we do things at Redeemer. Our spirituality does not operate in isolation. It is connected and indeed influences who we are as a community. It provides constant guidance, reassurance, and grace. Our Hope really is in Christ.
