Riding the storm

‘AS ONE, WE TURNED A POTENTIAL DISASTER INTO A GALVANISING MOMENT FOR WESLEY.’

‘When I became a teacher 25 years ago, it was because I loved coaching and loved sharing that passion with students. They were simple days where my biggest concerns revolved around the possibility of rain.’

Never did I imagine that one day I would be a Headmaster, let alone during a global pandemic. A bit of rain had become a storm.

But here’s what will surprise you. While the chaos and uncertainty was enormous, it was much less than it could have been. Naturally, there were sleepless nights and tough decisions-for all of us-but I will always be struck by the way that students, staff and our community rallied around. As one, we turned a potential disaster into a galvanising moment for Wesley.

As the global pandemic hit, we had to look at everything we do, everything we offer, and find new ways to deliver.

We were fortunate that the College prides itself on innovation, so our infrastructure was already primed for the introduction of remote online learning. Of course, that’s not to say we were able to just flick a switch and be ready to go.

Our teachers went to extraordinary lengths to rewrite existing lesson plans and invent new ways to convey topics via screens. It was a huge ask and they went beyond all of our expectations. In fact, we’ve learned things from remote online learning that will actually make face-to-face teaching even better than it was before.

The students embraced the ‘new normal’ of working from home, adapting to the idea of being connected by shared experience while not being physically near each other. In doing so, they inspired all of us by creating ways to entertain themselves and stay positive.

Parents had to share the role of teaching with our staff. Suddenly, from nowhere, they were asked to dust off long-filed-away memories of quadratic equations and transitive verbs. Again, the challenge was met with grace and patience.

Early in this time, a decision was made that no permanent staff would be released. Staff were happy to be redeployed to new tasks for the greater good, such as preparing and delivering meals to our vulnerable Pioneers and Wesleyanas to keep their spirits up.

Students, staff and community joined together seamlessly for a moment in time where the Wesley philosophy of ‘doing all the good you can, by all the means you can’, shone through stronger than ever. It was a touchstone to which we continually returned.

Historically, people look at the period after World War II as the time that forged the Wesley identity. I believe in 20 to 30 years this time may be remembered as the period where we tested the mettle of that identity and discovered that it was not found wanting.

It’s for others to judge whether the decisions we took during this storm were the right ones. However, I know that as we hopefully head toward calmer waters, it has been a privilege to be alongside you. Your spirit has been truly inspirational.

Ross Barron Headmaster

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The Wesley Cares team dropping meals to our 'diners'.