Hills College invites us on a tour of school during a global pandemic
A small community college in southeast Queensland has given a rare glimpse behind the doors of Term 2 during a global pandemic. SEE THEIR AMAZING VIDEO HERE
Logan
Don't miss out on the headlines from Logan. Followed categories will be added to My News.
LATEST NEWS
Why the premier won’t open schools
How report cards will change due to remote learning
IN the small community of Jimboomba a close knit team of hardworking professionals are doing all they can to keep life normal for 450 students from Prep to Year 12.
Last week close to 40 students attended the independent Hills International College at Logan, and already things are starting to look up as the number grew to 75 this week.
School principal Kevin Lynch is no doubt facing one of his toughest years in education and he said with those numbers in class about 375 were learning from home.
“Hills College has a very close community. It is the type of school where everyone knows everyone so to not see children around the college is hard for the teachers,” Mr Lynch said.
He also said cleaning efforts and the cost associated with that had increased.
In celebration of Term 2 the school released a video on Wednesday produced and sung by music teacher Lawrence Gratton.
It has already had 123 shares and was designed so staff could connect with students in isolation and it shows how the school is coping during the pandemic.
“Our staff are really missing having the kids on campus and they thought this would be a great way of sending their smiles, waves and support home.”
While this week was the second week for Term 2 at Hills College it is on its third week of online learning.
The school trialled this before isolation was imposed to ensure students and teachers were prepared ahead of the game.
“The effect is different for all involved, we are looking forward to having the classroom environment back with questions and conversations and songs.”
The school has many tools to keep everyone connected from online class video calls to discussions and show and share for primary students There is also reading books in the online platforms along with novel Facebook posts.
MORE SCHOOL NEWS
Coronavirus QLD: State’s plan to get children back in school
Back to school: What term 2 looks like for students returning
College slashes fees for Term 2 online classes
Eight private colleges move sports battle field online
“Online activity isn’t for everyone and some find it harder than others but they are all working together to get through this time and also taking this time to learn new, innovative procedures.”
Mr Lynch said one of the big challenges was for those ending and starting school in 2020.
“It is very different to how our seniors would have pictured their final year and also very different to how our preps imagined starting but they are adjusting well.”
Hills College was established in 1991 and will celebrate its 30th year in 2020. The college has also widened its scholarship availability this year to allow more the opportunity to be part of the school community.
High school swap history with Brisbane-Jakarta exchange
Hundreds of high school students will be able to get a taste of life in Indonesia under Australia’s first Islamic student swap program, with the deal to kick off in January.
Lot sizes almost slashed in half as state hikes council’s housing target
The state has ordered a bayside council to increase its housing supply by 30 per cent to accommodate an extra 45,192 residents by 2046 and has slashed the minimum lot size to help with the move.