More than 40 Penola High School attended zero lockdown lessons on Tuesday

After half a country high school failed to turn up for remote learning its principal took to Facebook to school students on the importance of attendance.

Almost half a country high school failed to log on for remote learning during South Australia’s statewide lockdown.

More than 40 Penola High School students did not attend any online learning on Tuesday with Lesley Okholm taking to the school’s Facebook page to tell students it was one of her “unhappiest” moments since becoming principal at the beginning of 2021.

In the post, Ms Okholm stressed the importance of education and shared her frustration of seeing classes prepared by teachers and school service officers being missed.

“This is unacceptable,” she said in the Facebook post.

“It shows disregard and disrespect for the school and those who work here. If this occurred in a workplace they would no longer have jobs.”

The Facebook post signed off by Penola High School principal Lesley Okholm. Picture: Facebook

When students returned to face-to-face learning on Wednesday, Ms Okholm was happy to report an attendance rate of 95 per cent, all wearing masks.

In Thursday’s school newsletter she explained the post was directed at 40 per cent of students who did not engage on the final day without explanation and the 13 students who attempted zero online learning during lockdown.

The newsletter also thanked families who had communicated they were having issues accessing remote learning.

“My teachers and SSOs worked tirelessly to try to make learning continue seamlessly to home learning,” the newsletter read.

“This entailed much anxiety and certainly, on reflection it was a highly stressful week for them.

“Yes, it is our job, however this is new ground for us and we all set high standards for ourselves which we were unable to guarantee in this new setting.

“We know every one of our students is capable of using Google Classroom and Google Meets without any support and when these students chose not to, it was deflating for all staff.”

Penola High School principal Lesley Okholm. Picture: Facebook / Penola High School

The school, located a 10 minute drive from the South Australia-Victoria border has three cross border students and while it has been effected by lockdowns and restrictions on both sides, Ms Okholm said she just wanted to keep people safe.

“Border closures can certainly have an impact on the school and local community and can present a challenge in terms of learning and wellbeing programs,” she said.

“We are doing a lot of work to support our students and teachers on the Victorian side of the border to make sure that learning continues.

“Staff and students are resilient but we are still really looking forward to the border fully reopening soon.”

Ms Okholm said keeping connected with students during lockdowns was its highest priority and the school was continuing to offer flexibility for students.

“(We’re) continuing to use blended learning in some classes so that students remain in touch with learning in this way,” she said.

“We have also asked students and staff for feedback on how the lockdown learning went, and how we can improve it for future remote learning.

“This has involved graffiti boards in the foyer for them to add their thinking.”