By Mitchell Clarke
Positivity and resilience were the biggest lessons learnt at Officer Secondary College through the Covid pandemic, as students slowly settle back into the normalcy of a classroom.
With all students having returned to onsite learning as normal from 9 June, staff at Officer Secondary College are now able to look back on some of the key lessons learnt throughout the remote learning period.
Officer Secondary College acting principal Elizabeth Godwin said the time of uncertainty had been largely successful.
“There have been many successes with online learning, and we have stayed connected through online assemblies and classes,” Ms Godwin explained.
“We are very excited to see everyone face-to-face again. All community members have embraced these uncertain times with positivity and resilience.”
With 2020 marking the school’s very first Year 12 cohort, Ms Godwin said the college had ensured students were fully supported in their learning throughout the two-month period.
“As educators, we all entered the profession because we love working with students and seeing them succeed,” she said.
“We pride ourselves on having a technologically literate staff. This put us in an excellent position when remote learning commenced.
“Staff, students and families engaged in the virtual learning programs successfully and with confidence and this has enabled a seamless transition back to onsite learning.”
While at home, Ms Godwin said students did a “sensational” job of working collaboratively while student leaders excelled by running remote assemblies to ensure students stayed connected.
She added that teachers now have an even greater range of digital learning tools at their disposal, and said that skills in developing and editing digital resources and videos were now “better than ever”.
“Our school vision of student excellence persisted through remote learning,” she said.
“Students and staff have the ability to successfully adapt to change and face new challenges. Our teachers were able to maintain a strong focus on helping every student be successful.
“Whether remote or on-site, we have a fantastic school community that works together to ensure every student is successful.”
Meanwhile, principals, teachers, parents and students across Cardinia are being encouraged to have their say on remote and flexible learning.
The State Government is seeking to gain insights into how our education system can be improved from this unprecedented experience.
Education Minister James Merlino opened a community consultation survey ahead of a July summit, to discuss lessons learnt and investigate what improvements can be made to the system as a result of the remote teaching and learning period.
“This summit will bring our school sectors together to report back about the benefits and challenges of remote learning,” Mr Merlino said.
“We know that there have been many positives from this experience, and we have a responsibility to learn from them.”
To have your say, visit: https://engage.vic.gov.au/lessons-remote-andflexible-learning.
