By Margaret Maccoll
As school returns this week in a year that’s looking a lot more normal than the last one, the disruption experienced in 2020 because of COVID19 brought with it some unexpected changes.
St Teresa’s Catholic College principal David McInnes said students stepped up to the challenge last year showing greater independence and resilience.
In a school of 850 students and 120 staff there were varying degrees of success, he said.
COVID highlighted challenges in collaborative and online learning that already existed in the organisation but brought them to the fore.
When the early days of the pandemic resulted in school closures they had to quickly adapt to online learning entirely.
Mr McInnes said each morning teachers did a well being check on students to ensure they were engaged online.
Teachers noted students becoming more independent.“Many students were surprised with their ability to focus when they didn’t have other students to distract them,“ he said.
Without having a teacher immediately available in the classroom many students sought to solve their own problems before asking for help and were quite chuffed at being able to do so. Mr McInnes said having students take responsibility for their own leaning was something they would try to harness.
Mr McInnes said overall the college was delighted with the results.
“We had to keep up with certificate and apprentice courses. Going into it we were quite concerned,“ he said.
“In the wash up 88 per cent (of Year 12 students) got into their first preferences. A lot are going to take gap years, others were able to pick up apprentices.
“They have achieved so well. They have achieved their goals.“
While COVID19 had an impact on school operations it has also affected the population moving to the coastal area and that has been reflected in enrolments.
Dr McInnes said the school had waiting lists for some grades and there had been a noticeable increase in enrolments from southern states. They even welcomed one UK family who arrived after completing quarantine.Mostly they hope for a return to pre-pandemic conditions.
“We hope the rhythm and flow of life will go back to normal,“ he said.
