The end of Term I is before us, and I think I can speak on behalf of everyone when I say, this has been a term unlike any other. We are truly living through historic times but the truth for so many is that we are learning to live with heightened anxiety, uncertainty and fear.
Over the last few weeks, TIGS students and teachers alike have been presented with challenges that, just three or four weeks back, would have been difficult to imagine. Despite this, I have been continually encouraged and inspired as I have watched teachers grow in confidence and creativity as they have embraced the use of Zoom for online-learning with vigour. I have seen innovation and experimentation greatly enhance lessons across the curriculum, not only from teachers trialling new ways of delivering learning but in how students use technology to find new ways of responding to the learning activities they are presented with. In recent weeks, collaboration and commitment to learning have been visible throughout the school and in the homes of TIGS families from across the area.
For example, this week Mrs Esposito was busy packaging envelopes with textiles and materials for her Year 7 Design students who are working from home. In their online-lessons, these classes are supporting Operation Christmas Child. One of our budding Year 7 designers, Isabelle, has created the below bag which she designed this week.
Mrs Esposito told me: “This year, we were asked to make bags for the overseas children that are being supported. Each bag is specifically designed for different aged children with different interests and our students try to imagine what these kids might like”.
And at the end of last week, one of our Year 12 Extension Science students, Connor, demonstrated the kind of commitment to learning that characterises so many of our students. This is a student who wasn’t going to let self-isolation impede his scientific investigations! Here we see a recently dismantled wind-tunnel loaded into his parent’s car for further experimentation from home!
Best wishes with that Connor!
James Baldwin famously said “People are trapped in history, and history is trapped in them”. There is much that lies beyond our control and in these uncertain times, that can be deeply unsettling. However, as we approach a hard-earned break during these school holidays, I hope you will take every opportunity to enjoy the company of your loved ones. And as our thoughts turn to the Easter weekend my prayer is that you would find true comfort in the words of Hebrews 12: