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COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 Pandemic

At the end of December 2019 a new infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified in China. It has since spread globally resulting in the coronavirus 2019-2020 pandemic.

The first case on Australian soil was reported on 25 January 2020, with other positive cases appearing across the country. As the reported infections grew, the Federal and State governments implemented growing measures to slow down the spread of the virus. With these measures schools began to review and adjust how they practiced education. At The Geelong College, the last week of Term 1 moved to remote learning, with all classes continuing online for the beginning of Term 2.

History in the Making

During the COVID-19 Pandemic technology would play a key part in the College and it's community as staff, students and families kept in touch with each other "virtually". Staff meetings and classes were held using new tools such as Microsoft Teams. Emails and video calls helped everyone keep track of school work and tasks.

At Middle and Junior Schools learning packs were also distributed to students. Not only were the students learning remotely, but there was some play too. Middle School Chess continued to run, just online. The Middle School also ran a MS Iso Master Chef challenge, with students sharing their skills in the kitchen.

Senior School Parent Teacher interviews transitioned to MS Teams. The Senior School Parents Association will also host a "Distance Dinner Party" at the end of May, via Zoom.

The Community Choir continued to sing, via Zoom.

In April the Student Wellbeing Triple R program launched a new blog "What Works and What Matters"
There are two themes. What Works: Share those ideas, tips and advice that have helped you keep yourselves sane and your children motivated. What Matters: What has changed for you, maybe what reflections you would like to share about how your thinking and priorities have shifted during this time of uncertainty or something great that has made you happy (it’s amazing how little things now make us happy). - Joan Gill, Director of Student Wellbeing – Programs

The College also reached out to their community in other ways. A "Message of Hope" Easter story was one of the first initiatives, a short video shared before the Easter school holidays. Anzac Day was commemorated a short video shared with the College community.

For the Old Geelong Collegians, planned reunions were replaced with sharing old school photos on the OGC Facebook group.

The Music Department held its first Online Music Competition at The Geelong College. Over 100 entries were received, and they ranged from Prep all the way through to Year 12, on all instruments. The winners were announced in June and include:

M-TV: Jupiter’s Last Right (Y9 Band)

This Is My Song:
Classical Song: H. Phung (Y9)
Contemporary Song: M. Gilby (Y11) and U. Shao (Y12)

Websteddfod:
Classical: J. Zhang (Y12), S. Visser-Hodson (Y5), M. Kweh (Y6), O. Abraham (Y3) and W. Zhang (Y1).
Musical Theatre: S. Horne (Y9) and M. Johnson (Y7)
Contemporary: G. Nurnatis (Y11), H. Agar (Y4), A. Hasan (Y3), B. Nadorp-Daw (Y8) and O. Howkins (Y4)

Days like these

The COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted everyday life for communities across the globe, restricting movement and activities, as well as the health, of many. In the history of the College, wider society events have also impacted school life, such as:

Spanish Influenza global pandemic

World War I & II

Other events, such as the Boer War and Vietnam War would be at the forefront of people's minds but would have less impact on the everyday running of the school. Instead those Old Collegians who served in the Boer War are remembered on a plaque mounted in the Dining Hall. During the Vietnam War there were a number of fundraising appeals for related causes, and a honour roll was added to the Memorial Foyer to commemorate the Old Collegians who served.

In the early days of the Great Depression, following the Wall Street Crash in 1929, the College did not feel the initial impact of the slowing economy. By the end of 1930 the Principal was reporting on the importance of vocational guidance for the students in the face of reduced employment prospects. During this time there was an increased interest by students in Economics subjects.

Infectious diseases have long been a concern for the school, and over the years prior to vaccinations the school dealt with outbreaks of measles and seasonal flus etc. The outbreak of measles would be taken very seriously and the ongoing issue of polio from the 1930s to 1950s was also a threat.

Polio 1937: During a peak year of polio cases in Australia, the College undertook measures to prevent the spread of polio through the College community. In 1937 as the national cases grew the September school holidays were cancelled and leave timetable altered. Boarders stayed on campus and classes continued in a less formal way with class-free Wednesdays. When Term 3 commenced, the leave restrictions continued and the sports and examination timetables modified. The football season was cut short with the final two rounds abandoned. The Boys Charity fund raised money for the Infantile Paralysis After Care.

See also Days Like These in the June 2020 Ad Astra.