FEATURE LEARNING AT A DISTANCE
Keeping active and engaged during learning at a distance During 2020, our College community has shown amazing resilience and courage as we have rallied together and adapted to a different way of doing things. This has affected all aspects of our students’ education, including activities outside of the classroom. Congratulations to our innovative staff and students at Genazzano who have continued to find engaging ways for us to connect while at home and to maintain our strong learning culture. Music The Music Department has implemented some amazing initiatives during learning at a distance to keep students, staff and our community connected to Genazzano’s rich musical and choral tradition. In May, the Music Department launched their weekly Music Moments. Each Thursday during the term, performances featuring soloists or ensembles were shared on GenConnect and later posted to the College website. These snapshots share what the Genazzano students have been able to achieve while learning at a distance, along with their talent and commitment to refining their musical interests. The full collection of Music moments can be viewed at genazzano.vic.edu.au/ learning/music.
students to receive immediate feedback when learning and practising their music.
Term Two also saw the introduction of the SmartMusic platform for our music students, in addition to delivering their music lessons via Zoom. This wonderful, web-based suite of music educational tools offered our instrumental and vocal students an extensive library, method books, sight-reading exercises and accompaniments; and has allowed
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SmartMusic allows for home practice and rehearsals to be more in-depth and independent – Sarah Vilo
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I really like how it is all clearly laid out so you know what you have done and what you need to do – Olive Hamilton
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Thank you for continuing music lessons. It has been a welcome return to normal. Our daughter needs the routine and outlet that music brings to her life – Genazzano parent
Blankets for the Homeless Our Co-curricular Program also continued during learning at a distance, offering a number of opportunities for students to contribute outside the classroom. During CatholicCare Week and as part of our Social Justice Action, members of the Genazzano community were invited to support Blankets for the Homeless as one of Term Two co-curricular activities. The aim was to knit as many blankets as possible to be donated to charities in time for winter. We received overwhelming support for this initiative from students, parents, College staff and members of the community who saw the call out for squares posted on our Genazzano social media channels. 16
We also received a number of telephone calls from parents to thank us for this opportunity to connect with their daughters, to teach them a new skill, to work together on a project and to be able to give back to the community. Students also mentioned how great it was for them to connect with their extended family and friends, while receiving great knitting tips along the way. The College received hundreds of knitted squares which were turned into beautiful and warm blankets and donated to a women’s shelter in St Kilda just prior the second lockdown. The shelter accommodates approximately five to ten women at any one time who
may be experiencing housing difficulties and require support to establish more permanent accommodation; and helps them access health care, work and life skills support. Thank you to everyone that supported this great College initiative, it was wonderful to see so many people come together from all parts of our community.
