A day to celebrate on many sides!

Hay bales block the school driveway. Note tractor in background (used to bring haybales to school)

Today was a special day on many counts.

After nearly3 months of remote learning and some hybrid learning, students all returned to school at the one time, after being staggered back to school. Year 11 and 12 students returned 1 week before our spring holidays (6 weeks ago) on a full time basis, as did prep to year 2 students. Over the last 2 weeks, years 3 and 4, 8 and 9 returned on a Tuesday and Wednesday, whilst years 5 and 6 returned on a Thursday and Friday. In that same 2 weeks, year 7s returned full time. Confused? This was difficult and confusing for me and most other staff, and required great concentration as to who was at school and when. Classes still continued remotely and on a hybrid basis when students werent at school. This was in regional Victoria. Melbourne schools start back today for the same students.
It was the last official day for year 12 students, who are about to sit their final VCE exams. This group has spent 2 years of VCE dealing with remote learning and the pandemic. This is always a day for celebration and very fitting that all students and staff were actually at school.
Melbourne finally came out of its long, hard lockdown after nearly 3 months (77 days). It is said that Melbourne has endured the most lockdown days in the world.
Regional Victoria had some restrictions lifted – including being allowed to have 10 visitors in our homes

Only in a country school, would large hay bales block the driveway to the school on the last day for year 12s, with the tractor that brought them parked at the front gates. A painted cow was placed on the top of tables in the canteen. Balloons adorned the corridors, with streamers being popped at students as they alighted from the buses.

Face to face school assemblies and staff meetings are not permitted at the moment, so our Final Assembly with year 12 students was held using MS Teams. They shared a presentation featuring photos of themselves as young students through to current photos. Our school principal’s speech thanked the students for their contributions to the school. The school captains presented their speeches.

An amazing cake was baked and decorated by one of the year 12 students (with the help of her Mum). Texta pens with edible ink, allowed staff to add their greetings, congratulations and messages to the students. Sicky notes made of icing were placed around the base of the cake. An “applefor the teacher” topped the cake.

These students have never complained about their pandemic experiences although remote learning and isolation has had a big impact on their emotional well being. We wish them all the best both for their final exams and for their future.