Rostrevor Magazine 2020-2021

Page 12 / Rostrevor Magazine 2020 - 2021 2020: A Year Like No Other It began as any regular year with the stirring, bagpipe-led procession with flag bearers and the traditional wave across the Valley shared by our new Receptions and Year 12s. Term 1 kicked off with the usual cricket matches and swimming carnivals. The Prefects were motivated and had a big year planned but, a few weeks into the school year, everything changed. On March 13, as the Coronavirus began to impact South Australia, the College made a most difficult, but wise, decision to cancel the Red and Black Disco scheduled for that very night. The dismay of hundreds of teenagers that night was progressively felt by the entire College community with all Co-curricular activities suspended; the Year 12 Principal’s Ball (scheduled for the following week) postponed and the Year 11 Formal cancelled. Widespread hygiene and social distancing measures were quickly put in place across the College as teachers faced the enormous and challenging task of switching to online learning. While some families removed their children from their classrooms, many stayed until the end of Term 1 and, thanks to the incredible commitment of our teachers, all were able to continue their learning either at school or at home. Ultimately, SA was very fortunate. With the start of Term 2, our students were welcomed back for face-to-face learning and while it would take time for sport, music and other important elements of the Rostrevor experience to return to normal, we were grateful to be living in South Australia and being able to return to school. For the wider College community, COVID-19 meant an end to assemblies and gatherings. The Marian Day Mass was shared via a video- link and Rostrevor’s popular Twilight Fair was cancelled. As restrictions eased, our boys were able to return to Co-curricular activities and enjoy a Winter Sport fixture (albeit reduced), Intercol, the Principal’s Ball, Presentation Night and Year 12 Retreats. While it was a challenging year, Rostrevor continued to shine in many respects: Upsurge in school technology post-COVID The shi to on-line learning led to a dramatic, College-wide uptake of new technology by students and teachers alike, encouraging all to become more “tech savvy” and adopt contemporary teaching and learning methods. Rostrevor’s Deputy Principal – Dean of Faculty, Nicole Laube, says while the school closures were short-lived, the innovative new technologies remain and have been embraced by students. “We have seen an unprecedented technological upskilling by teachers, increased sharing of ideas and the use of leading-edge teaching tools that are engaging for students and allow their abilities to be measured in new ways.” “The way student progress is being measured has also broadened to encourage critical and creative thinking rather than simply setting tests which rely largely on recall. “On the student side, they are honing the skills they will need in university and the workplace and becoming more independent learners.”