25 Mar 2020
Together we can pass this challenging test with ‘flying colours’
A central focus of modern education has been finding ways for schools to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. These changes are usually associated with advances in technology and the changing world of work. In ‘eduspeak’, we have used terms such as 21st Century and future focused learning, to describe the skills and attributes that students will need to thrive in their world.
The so-called, ‘soft-skills’ and personal traits, including communication, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, confidence and optimism are seen as essential additions to the usual ‘3Rs’. The educational aim is to help students develop into citizens who are adaptable to change, see change more of an opportunity than a challenge, and to be contributing, empathetic global citizens. One of the reasons we at HSPA – and I believe the whole HSPA community – are so passionate about our work is because the performing arts play a vital role in fostering those soft skills.
The Covid 19 pandemic and the individual, social, government and educational responses to it has provided us with a dramatic test case as to how well we can give practical expression to our educational theories.
And, while it is very early days, the preliminary evidence is hugely encouraging. For example, our teaching and administrative staff overwhelmingly embraced, albeit with some trepidation at first, the extra workload of developing unconventional teaching strategies and delivery methods.
The bigger test and the meaningful evidence, however, will be how well students respond to the new learning environment. I don’t believe I am premature in congratulating our beautiful students for the way in which they have adapted. All online classes have had exceptional participation rates and in many cases 100% ‘attendance’. I know that this can be achieved only when school and home have such a positive collaboration. I also know, thank and congratulate HSPA parents and caregivers, as your support is crucial to the success of this new, and hopefully, very temporary arrangement.
That stated, I am also aware that for some students, particularly, but not exclusively, those sitting for the HSC this year, will be anxious. The school, its support services and your teachers are here for you and you should not hesitate to seek help. Secondly, any changes that are made in assessments, examinations and so on, will be made in the best interest of students and will have the flexibility to take account of individual circumstances.
In finishing, I encourage our students to keep up the good work … and we are looking forward to joining them in our virtual Thursday assemblies, starting tomorrow.
Warm regards
Jo