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There are no UberEats deliveries or parents dropping off takeaway at Homestead Senior Secondary College, in Melbourneâs west.
When Homestead opened its doors last year, it decided to use some equity funding â money usually allocated for support staff and additional resourcing for children â for a free school lunch program.
Principal Michael Fawcett said the meals were designed to âbring our cohort together and establish that adult culture of socialising. And because of COVID and the huge amount of families in Point Cook who lost jobs ⦠it had that additional benefit that I know families have been rapt about.â
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The preps of 2021 might be a âdifferent kind of studentâ after living through Victoriaâs second wave of coronavirus, a veteran principal says.
Brian Everett, principal of St Margaretâs Primary School in Geelong East, said this yearâs foundation students would be more adaptable and have âheightened awarenessâ because of their experiences last year.
Sophie Butcher, who will start prep on Thursday at St Margaretâs Primary School, with her mother Catherine Tanner and father Sam Butcher.
Credit:Joe Armao
âTheyâve lived through a year where people wore masks, they couldnât go to the park . they couldnât have a birthday party,â Mr Everett said.
There'll be inter-school sports, choirs and camps, while parents – including those of Victoria's 84,000 new preps – will be allowed inside the school gates.
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Justin Ivelja says 2020 was a âbit of a buggerâ but he is expected to top his school this year.
âIf you do the work that was set, youâre going to do well,â Justin said.
âI tried to make the most of the opportunity, being at home and being able to work on your own terms, but it was definitely hard not being able to see your mates.â
Lauren Hall, VCE co-ordinator at St Josephâs College Geelong, said Justin would probably be dux of the school.
Year 12 student Justin Ivelja is expected to be dux of St Josephâs College Geelong.
Education takes lessons of 2020 into the new year
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The seismic changes to education brought on by the coronavirus pandemic will continue into 2021 but there will be some benefits to balance the disruption.
Schools will take the lessons of 2020 into the new year.
Credit:Louie Douvis
The hard lessons of lockdown and remote learning should stand students and school staff in good stead for the future, says Victoria University Secondary College principal Elaine Hazim. There were a lot of positives to come out of the negatives this year, she said.