WIMMERA principals have been overwhelmed by the way parents and teachers have banded together to deliver remote learning to students.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
While many agree it's been challenging, they are proud of their community's resilience and are impressed to see some positives coming to light.
Victorian schools have been following the model since the start of term one, nearly a month ago. The state's health advice is for it to remain in place for the rest of term two.
Stawell Secondary College principal Carlos Lopez was no stranger to delivering classes remotely, having previously taught physics online to other schools.
But he said the current environment was unlike anything he had experienced before.
Mr Lopez said there were few professions that could change its entire way of working in two weeks. But he said that's exactly what schools had done.
Read more:
"Things we said in the past weren't possible are certainly possible," he said. "Teachers have been working hard. It's an endurance race and we're prepared for it."
Mr Lopez said while some students had discovered a knack for remote learning, others were finding it a struggle.
"It's a big ask for them," he said. "I think they have displayed high levels of maturity and resilience. The cognitive load on teachers and students is high."
Mr Lopez said it was particularly difficult for year 12 students, with many feeling anxious about the future.
"There's no easy solution. Everybody's in the same boat," he said.
He said the leadership from the Education Department had been outstanding.
Horsham West and Haven Primary School principal Andrew Parry said visible learning - being explicit about the skills being learnt - had always been a focus with students.
Parents out there need to be congratulated for the support able to show students. I hope they're not being forgotten
- Andrea Cox
Remote learning has taught teachers to share this more with parents as well
Mr Parry said it would be a lesson the school would take into a post-COVID-19 world.
He said there was a level of anxiety around the future.
"We'd love to have students back. Teachers by nature love being with the kids," he said.
"It's the biggest change in schools in my career. Teachers had to change methodology and learn a lot about technology.
"Teachers who have been teaching for a long time are suddenly making YouTube instructional videos."
Mr Parry said he was proud of how the school's community had dealt with the changes.
"We'd had periods over the past few years where we've had to band together. Every time that happens you're stronger for the next time," he said.
Horsham's Ss Michael and John's Primary School principal Andrea Cox said the novelty of remote learning had worn off for many children.
She said every teacher in the state was going above and beyond to make the situation work for families as much as they could.
But she said parents also needed to be recognised.
Other news:
"Parents out there need to be congratulated for the support able to show students. I hope they're not being forgotten," she said.
"It's changed the relationship of parents and teachers. It's become a lot more of a 'working together' relationship than it was before.
"It's a huge ask on a parent, to all of a sudden have to become a teacher. I don't know if people who aren't parents will understand pressure it puts on families.
"I've been amazed at the response of the parent community and how supportive they are and how supportive they are when they talk about staff. All schools seem to be hearing that."
Nhill College principal Mark Zimmerman said the school's community had responded positively to remote delivery so far. He said a supportive staff and parent group definitely helped.
"I really value and appreciate the efforts of all our staff, students and parents for the understanding they've shown," he said.