Mr Brendan Gorman - Headmaster
I have been quite interested over the past few months to see how so many businesses have redefined themselves, in an attempt to stay afloat during these unprecedented times. The local pub and restaurant, providing take home pre prepared meals, take away and delivery where it was never provided previously.
The drive through coffee option, bread and milk from McDonalds. The encouragement of online shopping has seen Australia Post change the frequency of traditional mail delivery in favour of parcel delivery. Traditional shop fronts have moved completely online to the point where people are questioning the need to spend money on unnecessary shop fronts in shopping centres.
The innovation of some has been obvious, although the reality of this situation has also hit other organisations and businesses to the point of no return.
I used to teach a unit with my Year 6 class under the transdisciplinary theme, 'How we Organise Ourselves' focusing on governing and money. Students would establish a business plan, would source their goods or services, would set up their business in a school 'village' and would have the government apply restrictions, taxes, regulation on their business. Students would have to plan, think mathematically, strategically and creatively to ensure their business survived. They were learning essential skills and understanding in a real world way.
Schools likewise, have needed to re-think what school is. After all, what we traditionally thought of school, hasn't been the reality for the past few months. Whilst we have moved to a remote learning campus approach, some of the fundamentals have been missing. As a teacher, I'm relational, the connection and the community of the classroom, are vital.
As we begin to move back into a situation where students are back on campus, physically, this should cause us to rethink what is essential in school. In all schools there are many structures, traditions and expectations that remain simply because they've always been done that way. What would you like to see change here at St. Peter's?
Like all businesses, schools, (and St. Peter's is no exception) needs to think about our offerings and adjust to ensure we can continue to provide quality Christian education here in the centre of Campbelltown well into the future. I'd love to hear from you, if you have a suggestion or recommendation you'd like me and/or the Schools' Council to consider. Any suggestions/feedback can be emailed to feedback@stpeters.nsw.edu.au
It has been excellent to gradually welcome back so many of our families. I'll keep you informed of changing goal posts as we move toward all of our students being back on campus, and as we continue to consider redefining what school is and should be.
