Principal’s Report – Parent Bulletin 25 June, 2020
Welcome
Term Two reflection and looking forward
As we head into the Term Two break, it is worth reflecting upon what has been the most unusual school term imaginable. A lot has changed over the course of the term. We went into a phase of remote learning without really knowing how that would work out, and then returned to on-site learning but with new rules and expectations. Pleasingly, the vast majority of students and staff have proven to be resilient, and got through that whole experience well. A small number of students and staff have still not returned.
Ordinarily, when life in the broader community has been disrupted and is uncertain, the community, and students in particular, look to schools for a measure of certainty and predictability. The shift to remote and flexible learning meant that schools, too, became less predictable. Accompanying that change and loss of predictability, there is naturally a process of grief and feelings of loss. Loss of jobs within families, loss of freedoms taken for granted, fears for wellbeing and safety, and loss of contact with friends and family, for example, are all valid reasons for feeling this way. Not all people are comfortable with change, and any disruption to “normal” routines requires a period of adjustment until people readjust and get used to a new norm and a new way of doing things.
At Geelong High School, throughout Term Two, we have endeavoured to provide a higher degree of stability and predictability than people have experienced in their personal lives outside school. Schools are good at routines and normalising behaviour. Since resuming on-site learning, we have encouraged a return to our “normal” routines where possible, while also adopting some new routines and new and better ways of doing things. In recent weeks we have settled back in.
We now look forward to the second half of the year with the experience of Term Two behind us. We know what disruption looks like, and we know we can manage. We know that we are all in this together and that we will emerge with new skills and abilities and a greater sense of our own character strengths and capacity to deal with what life throws at us.
It is my firm belief that this generation of students will prove stronger, wiser, more resilient and more able to deal with the rigours of society in the future than generations past; and that can’t be a bad thing.
Support over the Term Break
Not surprisingly our staff, including our wellbeing staff, are quite exhausted and are looking forward to a break over the term holidays. Please be assured that students receiving support will be able to continue to receive support through a range of local agencies (see below). Our wellbeing staff will ensure that there is a plan in place for students identified as being at risk.
LOCAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Headspace Geelong – 5222 6690 www.headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/geelong/
Bellarine Community Health – 5253 0400 https://www.bch.org.au/services/all-services/youth-services
Support After Suicide Geelong/HOPE Bereavement – 4215 3358 or 9421 7640 http://www.supportaftersuicide.org.au/ www.bereavement.org.au
Keep safe over the term break.
Kind regards,
Glenn Davey
Principal
