Teaching and Learning

ms Kamila Bielinski | Assistant Principal – Learning, Teaching & Innovation ms Irene Apostolopoulos | Director of Curriculum

As we embark on a new academic year, it is important to reflect on what we have experienced and accomplished as a school and community. 2021 brought disruption and new opportunities like never before, it made us dig deep and adapt our approaches to continue to deliver and support high quality education for our students. Our community has shown immense strength and resilience in supporting each other through the stop-start lockdowns and periods of remote and hybrid learning. Congratulations to all students, staff and families for your commitment to learning and growth.

REmOTE LEARNING LIFE OF 2021 | COmmUNITY VOICES

“Everyone has had their times where they feel like doing absolutely nothing, but we have all continued to put in effort and do or achieve something, even when this is difficult or takes a long time. But some of the best moments of the year were getting back to school and seeing all of our friends and teachers, getting back into sport and spending time with family. Personally, when we were doing home learning, I loved to be able to kick the footy every day after school and finish early on some days.”

Harly Billing Year 7 Student

“Despite lockdown and COVID difficulties, the year was still very fulfilling. For myself, and many Year 9s, the highlight of the year had to be our week of city experience. Everyone found these couple of days in the city were a lot of fun, as we visited the Eureka Skydeck, the Old Melbourne Gaol, the Shrine of Remembrance, etc. Adapting back into remote learning then proved difficult. After such a long time at school, with my mates and having in-person lessons with my teachers, it was challenging to retain motivation for classes and keeping up to date, remotely. Despite these lockdown challenges, though, I’d say they’ve actually improved my ability to keep track of all of my homework and assessments, to manage my time effectively, and while it’s unrelated to my schooling, to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle. These periods have forced me to take control over my own learning and taught me to self-manage, something I daresay I’ll need for my future years of schooling.”

Patrick Cherry Year 9 Student

“This year, I learned to be more involved. I forced myself to express myself more through more engagement in group discussion and taking leadership roles. From simply answering questions in class to aiding in the Time and Space event, 2021 taught me the attitude of commitment and participation.”

“Remote learning wasn’t kind to us. Thankfully, I’m not doing many practical subjects, so it was possible for me to learn from home, it was just a matter of how much effort I wanted to put in to school. Remote learning helped me to realise what subjects I enjoy. As a music student, practicing music was one way of relaxing myself when I was stressed and confused. I learnt that the instrument was a comfort place that allowed me to recollect myself then continue with the next day till lockdown ended.”

Alvin Yala Year 11 Student

“Perhaps because of these intense times of remote learning I have grown in appreciation of my colleagues and the smaller joys of working in a school. The remote teaching period affirmed my own love for teaching and being in schools among the younger generations who offer so much vibrancy, hope and playfulness. This came across during College events or Oratory times during remote learning where the priority was about building connections and sharing conversations. I hope to take these new perspectives and reaffirmed convictions into 2022 and beyond.”

Tristan O’Brien Head of Religious Education

“Thank you for all that you do. We appreciate your adaptability to meet the learning needs of our son.” – Parent

“Thanks for keeping my son motivated and engaged and providing him strategies to manage his learning.” – Parent

We look forward to 2022 which we hope will bring stability and consistency centred upon learning and growth. We hope that the year will bring new opportunities that inspire life-long learning, critical thinking and active leadership. Best wishes for the year ahead.