Mark Richards | Director of Learning and Innovation
“Our job as teachers is not to ‘prepare’ kids for something; our job is to help kids learn to prepare themselves for anything” – A.J.Juliani
Never has teaching students to be tenacious and adaptable been more relevant than today, with the media swirl of disinformation and hyperbole crashing around us it is more important than ever to remain calm and carry on. Being able to sift through the barrage of data that surges at us every day is a difficult skill to master. This is why the College emphasis on critical thinking and working problems out for yourself is vital, and why we have increased the time allocated to STEM in the Middle School.
Facebook is one of the worst culprits for this; it has recently found and taken down four state-backed disinformation campaigns, the latest of dozens that it has identified and removed this year and a sign of how foreign interference online is increasing. Three of the disinformation campaigns originated in Iran and one in Russia, with state-backed actors disguised as genuine users. The campaigns were aimed at people in North Africa, Latin America and the United States but we are seeing an increase of these types of issues across the entire world. It is more important than ever to use verified, fact-based, sources, some of which are linked to below and at the end of this article. The media do not help this, constantly speculating worst case scenarios rather than focusing on the facts of what is actually happening.
As a College, we will remain open and will continue to have the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone in our community as our top priority. We will continue to monitor any advice given to us by Queensland Health and act on it. The most up to date information can be found on their website using the link below:
http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthCondition/condition/14/217/838/novel-coronavirus
The FAQ questions factsheet from the Australian Government Department of Health can also be found here:
The message is very clear. To help stop the spread of germs, use soap and paper towels to wash your hands regularly, especially before and after eating, and after going to the toilet.
It is really important to involve your children in conversation and planning, thinking about hygiene and helping to give children a sense of control over the events to help alleviate their fears and concerns. Below is a link to great resources from School TV that helps explain Covid-19 and what you can do as parents to help; it is well worth a watch.
https://schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-coronavirus
As you would expect, this situation is evolving daily. We will continue to take advice from the relevant government and health authorities and seek to communicate with you as further details become available. Below are some verified, reliable links for more information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOV1aBVYKGA
http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthCondition/condition/14/217/838/novel-coronavirus
https://www.unicef.org/stories/novel-coronavirus-outbreak-what-parents-should-know
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPsY-jLqaXM&feature=youtu.be
You would have received a communication from my office earlier in the week outlining our plan to maintain quality teaching and learning should we be forced to close. Our staff are planning and preparing for any eventuality, but we are currently in a very good position, thanks in part to our size and brilliant, adaptable teachers. Everyone is ensuring that, whatever the situation, our students will be able to learn. As a consequence, there maybe some modified teaching and learning programmes which will be communicated by individual teachers or Heads of Faculty. If you have any concerns or queries, please do not hesitate to contact myself or the Head of Junior and Middle Schools, Ms Amy Woodgate, or the Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School, Mr Richard Dobrenov.
In these crazy times we must endeavour to stay safe and stay calm, whatever happens I am sure the indomitable spirit of the SCOTS PGC community will win out. It brings to mind the famous Scottish song of ‘Scotland the Brave‘. Early every Friday morning in my office I hear the sweet meandering sound of our brilliant Pipes and Drums sweep over the campus as they play this song. It is fitting in these times to remember it and to rise to the call, with tenacity and spirit, to beat the myriad of challenges before us.
Hark when the night is falling
Hear! Hear the pipes are calling,
Loudly and proudly calling,
Down thro’ the glen.
There where the hills are sleeping,
Now feel the blood a-leaping,
High as the spirits of the old Highland men.
Towering in gallant fame,
Scotland my mountain hame,
High may your proud standards gloriously wave,
Land of my high endeavour,
Land of the shining river,
Land of my heart for ever,
Scotland the brave.
