As 9am on Wednesday morning arrived we drew a collective sigh of relief as our VCE students commenced their English exam. At the same time the new headline came through that we had recorded another day of double zeros for new cases and deaths due to coronavirus. In the depths of our lockdown and remote learning, I am sure there were many times that many of us wondered if we would ever be able to sit the exams. Throughout this pandemic we have been reminded of the power of hope. At times I reminded staff and students that the only way out was to go through it. And whilst we are not there yet, we have much to be grateful for and much we have learned through this experience.听听
In my Graduation address to the Class of 2020, I reflected on how this pandemic has formed them.听This year has been the greatest test of character for the Class of 2020 and they have shown all that听蘑菇视频听stands for in how they responded. They have known disappointment, frustration, uncertainty, doubt and sadness. None鈥痮f this is was what we wished for them. In spite of this they chose resilience, courage, positivity, optimism and hope. They took everything听they听knew about community, connection and belonging and reinvented 鈥榮chool spirit鈥� and leadership for our community, especially our students, in an online space. In so many ways they will be more ready for the world that awaits them than any other graduating class before because of the independence and鈥�self reliance鈥痶hey have developed this year.鈥�鈥�听
We sent them forward from this place reminding them that 蘑菇视频 will always be a part of their story听and they can always return. This story now continues as an 鈥極ld Collegian鈥� where they join with the sisterhood of all the amazing women who have gone before them. We reminded them that their story will always count because wherever they go, they will be people of 鈥榮trength and kindliness鈥�.鈥�听
We called on them to know the light within, that only听they听have and nurture it. Surely, more than ever, the world needs听the听unique light that each of听these young people听can bring. To keep this light alive Julia Baird tells us,听to听pay attention, never underestimate the power of the ordinary, seek awe in nature daily, show kindness, practice grace, embrace imperfection and mess, be bold and live deliberately.听I believe this is听living as听people of learning, hope and purpose.鈥�听
And finally听we urged them to听find听their听voice and raise it听to speak of justice and joy.听We hope our graduates use听their听voice with the authority that comes from knowing deeply what听they听stand for and who听they听will stand with.听They were reminded that too many voices of women have been silenced, discounted or dismissed.听We hope that they will always听听let their听voice speak for those who have no voice.听This听honours鈥痶he legacy of a鈥�Brigidine鈥痚诲耻肠补迟颈辞苍.鈥�听
Even though we have farewelled this graduating class, the rhythm of school life continues.听Each week we are adapting and changing as COVID restrictions are adjusted. Our Year 7听students enjoyed a day out as a community at Lake Dewar, participating in a range of activities as part of the Amazing Race.听Within the current changed restrictions,听we are also planning for听an Orientation听activity for our听incoming Year 7 students for听2021. This will be communicated to families as soon as it is finalised. Again we recognise that this too may change before the eventual date. I commend the agility and adaptability of staff who are continuing to听adjust plans and processes. We thank families for their ongoing support with ensuring听their听daughters are wearing masks and staying home if unwell.听听
We have received the final report from our School Improvement Framework Review which accompanied our VRQA and Child Safe review.听
The reviewers outlined the following strengths:
- Strong, committed鈥痑nd decisive鈥痩eadership鈥痺ith the courage to鈥痙rive change鈥痑nd develop further leadership capacity鈥痶hroughout the school.鈥�鈥�听
- A strong reputation鈥痑nd鈥痚nrolment position,鈥痺ith a well-defined business plan for鈥痬anaging future growth.鈥�听
- Staff (teaching and non-teaching) who are鈥痯roud of the school,鈥痗apable and鈥痗ollegial.鈥�鈥�听
- A strong sense of鈥疌atholic identity鈥痑s evident鈥痠n鈥痶he:鈥�听
– positive relationships, hospitality and strong sense of community.鈥��鈥�听
– Brigidine鈥痗harism鈥痶hat鈥痠nspires all members to live a life of service to one another, and evident in the range of opportunities for participation in鈥痗ommunity service,鈥痵ocial justice鈥痑nd advocacy鈥痑ctivities.鈥�鈥�听
– opportunities and support for staff to gain accreditation.鈥�听
- A clear focus on planned school improvement鈥痠n鈥痗urriculum and pedagogy, evident in:鈥�听
– Effective introduction of a new approach to Student Wellbeing鈥�听
– The development of the College Learning Charter鈥�听
– The strengthening of links between student Wellbeing and Learning鈥�鈥�听
听The听report further stated that as鈥⒐绞悠碘�痚ngages in the process of strategic thinking and planning, the reviewers鈥痳ecommend鈥痶hat the鈥疌ollege:鈥�
- Develops a collaborative approach to the elaboration of a听College-wide and holistic plan for wellbeing, linked to learning,鈥痶o鈥痚nhance鈥痠ndividual and collective responsibility and accountability.鈥�听
- Develops an integrated performance and development culture, articulating鈥痑鈥痗lear instructional framework and鈥痑lignment of professional learning.鈥�听
- 顿别惫别濒辞辫蝉鈥赌痑鈥�College-wide听data Plan which鈥痯rovides more systematic access to data and鈥�intelligent use of evidence, enhancing鈥痩earning outcomes for all students.鈥�听
The Extended Leadership Team of the College and the Stewardship Council have considered this feedback and have commenced drafting the next School Improvement Plan for 2021 -2024. This plan will respond to the review recommendations, whilst also responding to the Kildare Ministries Living Justice Living Peace Charter, our graduate outcomes and contemporary thinking听and evidence in relation听to a broad range of influences on education.听We look forward to bringing this to the community for your engagement as we commence the new school year.听
Our听initial听Master听Planning processes are continuing with the architects working with the听Project Control Group and Stewardship Council to refine some initial concepts towards a potential听Master听Plan concept.听The feedback from students, families and staff is being used听to guide the process and has formed the initial听draft听aspiration statements. Again our architects have indicated that once we are further along the way, they will look forward to meeting with families and members of the community to听outline the concept, provide clarification and seek feedback. Again, this will most likely be early in 2021.听
As we come to the end of NAIDOC week, I pay tribute to our courageous FIRE Carriers and the work of staff in our community to ensure that the voices, stories and culture of our aboriginal students and their families is valued and respected.听At 蘑菇视频 we are committed to walk with, learn with and learn from the members of our community in a spirit of reconciliation and justice.听听
Blessings
Luci
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