The Hallowian - Volume I 2021 - Flipbook - Page 13
CATHERINE O’KANE
PRINCIPAL – ALL HALLOWS’ SCHOOL
My 2020 began as a trip down
memory lane, holidaying in China
having lived in Wuhan in the early
1990s for a year. Just days after
arriving home, China became an
international COVID-19 hotspot
and our world changed.
As Australian authorities shut
borders, my thoughts turned to
staff and students of All Hallows’.
Week 1 2020 appeared business
as usual and we enjoyed a
memorable Senior Formal in
early February; however, days
and nights were occupied with
scenario planning. Parallels
between this global pandemic and
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The Hallowian | 2021
1919’s Spanish Influenza outbreak
were obvious. Our All Hallows’
archives foretold school closures
and isolated students and history
appeared destined to repeat.
Early and decisively we cancelled
trips, milestone events and
community gatherings. Our team
readied All Hallows’ systems for
teaching online and learning from
home. Daily Prime Ministerial
updates changed to every few
hours as the threat escalated, and
we awaited the inevitable school
closure order.
At the end of Term 1, we
successfully trialled All Hallows’
@ Home and from Term 2, staff
and students moved resiliently
into digital school life. It was
amazing to see the positivity,
resilience, kindness and hard work
of our staff, particularly those at
school supervising the children of
essential workers. Communications
updates became a muchneeded touchstone, keeping our
community connection alive while
serving to outline operational
requirements amid evolving health
advice.
“
“
Principal’s Report
It was amazing to see
the positivity, resilience,
kindness and hard work
of our staff, particularly
those at school
supervising the children
of essential workers.
The Class of 2020 rose to its
leadership challenge, creating
a spirit that sustained the
AHSisterhood through weeks
of separation. Music rehearsals
continued online; sports training
was logged; House challenges
continued remotely. Year 11 girls
donned Soiree dresses over school
uniforms, using humour to quell
disappointment.
The return of Year 11 and 12
students from Week 4, Term 2 was
joyful, but it was strangely spacious
until Year 5-10 girls joined a
fortnight later. Everyone embraced
the social distance and personal
hygiene protocols. Ever-evolving
restrictions necessitated regular
rethinking on delivery of Culture,
Sport and Mercy Action programs,
and ways to interact with parents
and our wider AHS community.
called to row together, each of us
in need of each other.’
The All Hallows’ School community
not only stayed the course; we
emerged with deeper connections
for our shared experience.
Post lockdown the silver linings
were abundant. Many innovations
courtesy of our enhanced IT
capabilities would stay, such as
offering online Parent-StudentTeacher interviews. Levels of
collaboration between staff and
the friendship bonds of our girls
also strengthened. We were
blessed to have such a short time
of learning online and will cherish
life lessons learned about the
importance of human connection.
I recall finding great comfort at the
time from Pope Francis who, as a
lone figure in the square in front of
St Peter’s Basilica said: ‘We are on
the same boat, all of us fragile and
disoriented, but at the same time
important and needed. All of us
2021 | The Hallowian
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