The New Normal

Mr Andrew Hawkins, Deputy Headmaster - Head of Senior School

THE last few months have been a steep learning curve for the world. World leaders, politicians, medical staff, the aviation industry, tourism, parents, teachers, children - the list could go on to fill the page. One observation as a school leader that has struck me is how student and teacher wellbeing are inextricably connected, as are social and emotional learning and student academic outcomes. Without the boys at TSS the School was not the same and the teachers and corporate staff really missed the daily connections with the boys. Since most boys are back at school on both campuses, it is clear the students missed the social connections with staff and other students too, along with the school routine and structure.

A webinar during the COVID-19 pandemic by UQ wellbeing experts Dr Sasha Lynn, a registered psychologist, and Angela Wood, an experienced teacher with a Master’s degree in Student Wellbeing, provided tips for teachers and students post the COVID-19 lockdown. Their findings reinforced our observations here at TSS after the boys returned.

After talking through the neuroscience behind it, Dr Lynn and Ms Wood provided tips for maintaining wellbeing.

“Research has actually shown that poor school connectedness does result in poorer mental health and academic outcomes,” she said. “Connectedness is just as important to teachers.”

Tips were also provided to help students. These included mindfulness exercises, play, connecting, sharing jokes and providing fair and respectful boundaries. I guess in TSS terms, that means ‘mucking around with your mates’ and getting back to team/ activity training and practice once the social distancing rules are relaxed.

In the Senior School, we have had an online classroom platform for all Year 7, 8 and 9 boarders that could not return to their Boarding Houses. During an online meeting with the Year 8 group, I showed them inside the new Annand Theatre construction site on my phone – the very first students to see it! As I walked down the back towards the river ovals there was a class playing touch for PE on the ovals. I have included the picture of our first PE class in action post-COVID-19 school restrictions. I explained to the boarders that we are slowly getting back to ‘the new normal’ during school hours, but outside school time there are many restrictions still in place with regards to music rehearsals, sport training, speech and variety, chess, and the many activities that happen in our busy school.

Regardless of what other schools chose to do with the recommendations from the state and national bodies, TSS has always supported the expert advice from the Gold Coast Unit of Queensland Health. Their support and expert advice were always reassuring for the school during such difficult times.

We will be updated while this Band of Brothers edition is being published, on advice around community sport and school sport and spectators. When we can practice, rehearse, and train for the many and varied activities we offer here at TSS, we will finally feel like we are getting back to the new normal here at school.