3 minute read
The value of a connected community
NEVER HAS THERE BEEN A TIME IN RECENT HISTORY WHERE WE HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND THE VALUED ROLE THAT SCHOOLS PLAY WITHIN THE BROADER COMMUNITY.
BY KRISTY KENDALL Principal
Far from just a place for learning, education takes many forms for our students. Be it social development, moral development or cognitive development, the journey our students travel is complex, varied and completely individual. Yet, we have learnt a school’s role in the community is far reaching and more impactful than just the education of students. Here are three things the last 12 months have taught us about the greater value of Toorak College.
INDEPENDENCE IS STRENGTH In a time of many rules and regulations there were still choices and flexibility that underpinned the life we lived. We did not focus on what we could not do, but instead we spent our energy on what we could. If we could reach our students online, what would be most valuable for their connection? If we could run a small event, what would add the greatest value to the experience? If we could communicate broadly via online platforms, what would others benefit in understanding or learning about?
Having the freedom and flexibility to design our own ways of communicating, connecting and celebrating lead to so many wonderful outcomes and opportunities. We designed our community’s experience on the timeline that we knew was best for them. Our independence as a school allowed us to truly individualise our approach and respond to our community’s needs. We know this learning will continue to guide us more boldly into our future as well.
OUR COMMUNITY STRETCHES WELL BEYOND OUR GATES For many decades now we have been hearing about the impact of the disappearance of community. Whether that be through the changing nature of belonging to local community groups and churches or due to the widespread access to everything through technological advancement. This past year has highlighted that community isn’t necessarily tangible. It is something you feel, a connection to others through shared experiences or beliefs - a true sense of belonging.
We often refer to our school community as students, staff, parents and Collegians, however, over the past 12 months we learnt more intimately how these people created ripples of their own. Whether it was through our parents sharing information and research we had provided in their own places of employment, engagement in our blogs and resources that we freely distribute, or the time our staff and students dedicated to organisations outside of Toorak. At Toorak, we understand the role we play in connecting the broader community and we are proud to reclaim the sense that communities, such as ours, can have wide reaching effects for all.
WE CAN DO IT THAT WAY, BUT SHOULD WE? With so many new ways of thinking, and the shackles firmly off statements like, “yes, but that will never work in a school” or “that won’t work because we have always done it this way”, what does our future hold? One of the greatest learnings of this time is in a question we ask ourselves often, “yes, we have learnt we can do that, but should we?” Conversations over the last 12 months have centered on value. What value do certain initiatives and objectives have? Can this value be achieved in other ways that provide greater access, opportunities or with the investment of fewer resources? A small example of this is our parent teacher interviews. When designing the program this year we questioned the value of them all being online or in person and we decided both modes held value for different families. In choosing to offer both this year, we can see that reality was reflective of our belief; we had a 50/50 split of parents who preferred online to those who preferred them in person.
It is now our job as a school to make decisions based on value and opportunity and to continue to align these objectives with the future that we aspire to create for our community.
