To say 2020 has been a year of challenge and change would be an understatement. However, St Stanislaus’ College in Bathurst has put a range of measures in place to manage the challenges of Covid19.
During this unprecedented time, the Stannies community has supported each other and simply done their best to adapt to the changes.
2020: a year of challenge and change
Year 12 students at Stannies are getting on with their studies to the best of their abilities, with the 2020 HSC set to go ahead.
One such student is Oscar Ward from Orange who, despite normally staying on campus as a boarder, has started to commute from home to continue his HSC work.
“I’m completing a number of industrial technology subjects and as there’s only a small number of us, we’re able to continue our major works while maintaining social distancing.
“Things are changing all the time, but you just have to keep going.”
Emphasis on critical thinking
Director of Curriculum, Mrs Virginia van Gend says teachers have moved to online lessons for less practical-based subjects to ensure students continue to apply themselves to study.
“Although things have changed, we’re continuing ‘face-to-face’ learning online so students and teachers can maintain contact and work together to understand their assessment requirements.
“The relationship between teachers and students changes in the senior years as students mature and place more emphasis on critical thinking, so it’s important for us to maintain that connection with day and boarding students.”
Keeping connected
Head of College, Mr Lindsay Luck says Stannies staff and students are currently doing whatever they can to work within the guidelines.
“We’re looking at a different HSC environment, so our students and staff need to be agile and adaptable to prepare for further changes.
“Our students are sticking to their class timetables both from home and at school, and we’re maintaining close contact with students and parents on how we’re managing teaching and learning for all our students especially our boarders.”
Online learning combined with the other strategies already implemented, has given the College staff and students a great deal of confidence in providing the opportunity to return to face-to-face teaching for most Year 12 students by the middle of Term 2.
Senior students Charles Patterson, Head of Stannies Student Media Team, and Jack Lynch, Head Prefect along with the Year 12 Prefect Team have also taken the fortnightly-in-term-time Friday Assembly online, via the College YouTube Channel.
“We have prepared the Assembly in much the same format that we always use and included video segments from staff and students such as the welcome, musical items and awards,” says Charles.
“The first online Assembly was viewed so many times. Because it is online, families, students and staff working remotely can join in.
“Some boarding families have never been able to attend these assemblies before, so that was a first for us,” adds Jack.
Mates 24/7
Year 12 House Parent, Ms Mel Betts observes that with only Year 11 and 12 boarders in residence at the end of Term 1, it has certainly been unprecedented times for the College.
“I am so proud of all the Year 12 boarders. They have been there for each other, ready to make the most of each day, no matter what new changes lay ahead.
“They have adapted the best they can, giving each other unconditional support as they deal with what looks like so much uncertainty.”
Arthur Locke from Orange, Year 9, also says you have to ‘just keep going’ especially given the current circumstances.
“Boarding is pretty much being with your mates 24/7. The boys are like brothers to me and I wouldn’t change a thing about Stannies Boarding.”
Fellow Year 9 student, Hunter Carter from Nyngan agrees.
“Your mates and Boarding Parents will help you out if you have any concerns and need support”