New Loreto College principal Michelle Brodrick had just a few weeks in job with students and staff at school before everyone headed home for remote learning.
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But she's thankful that, unlike Melbourne schools, she at least had that time to start to get to know students and staff before the school program moved online.
"I was somewhat prepared for the fact this could happen and I was extremely excited I was able to meet the students when they came in the gate at the start of term ... and we knew we may have been on borrowed time but when the announcement was made initially I was devastated."
Ms Brodrick took over as Loreto principal at the start of term three following the retirement of Judith Potter who led the school for almost 15 years.
WATCH THE VIDEO OF STAFF AND STUDENTS PAYING TRIBUTE TO FORMER PRINCIPAL JUDITH POTTER
In her first few weeks Ms Brodrick made it a priority to foster connections with students and staff to gain a greater understanding of the school.
"My first priority, when coming in to a new place, is the need to learn and get to know your community first ... and now I feel more connected to Ballarat than I have been in the past."
Ms Brodrick is not entirely new to Loreto, having taught her first class (year 9 English) as a student teacher at the school many years ago.
She believes the lessons learned in education during 2020 will have a place in the years to come.
"Remote learning has highlighted how we can quickly adapt to new ways ... and part of what I see going forward is how we can offer the best of education for girls and some of that is in challenging what we offer in terms of subjects and future school development.
"It's an exciting time for girls education. You only have to look at the development of STEM and development of technology. The future for these students is so different from the last 30 years so my goal is to consider ways we can prepare the students for that.
"Future work is going to require more contemporary skills of problem solving and collaboration and agency where people take more responsibility for their learning and their growth and I think that's where we can offer more opportunity in those areas ... but the students I have spoken to are really switched on to all these sorts of opportunities.
"Their understanding of what's happening in the world is greater than ever before. They do want a challenge, they do want to take on or work toward change ... and there's a sense they really do want to make a difference."
Last year Loreto College released long-term plans to double in size, build another secondary campus, reintroduce boarding and eventually offer all year levels from kindergarten to year 12.
The school's Strategic Goals 2019 and Beyond came in response to the rapid growth of Ballarat's population and the demand for Catholic education for girls.
"I'm excited about the possibility we will be able to expand in the future," Ms Brodrick said. "Our applications do exceed what we can offer so we are looking at how we can offer Catholic education in the Loreto tradition to meet the demands of Ballarat."
Ms Brodrick recognised this second period of remote learning for Loreto families would be equally, if not more challenging for families - particularly for year 12 students.
"I really feel for year 12 students. They feel they are missing out on their final year and we think can give them a sense of hope ... it's something on our mind at all times," she said.
Most students adapted quickly back to remote learning but it's provided a challenge for Ms Brodrick as a new principal trying to remain connected to them and provide the support they need.
"We are looking at different ways that can happen, trying to make sure emails are going out regularly, making some videos and looking for ways to connect throughout the term that make the most of the fact that we are not together."
In addition to online staff meetings, Ms Brodrick is also joining meetings with student leaders and greeting students who are studying on site.
IN OTHER NEWS
The school has also introduced a "gift time" selection of off-line activities that staff and students can choose from during the remote learning period to strengthen family ties.
It might be making a meal, talking with a family member about their schooling, or a myriad of other suggestions.
"We realise this is something that we will look back on and see how our families did bond and come together at this time, and we've tried to incorporate that in to our planning," she said.
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