​At Lowther Hall we value respectful relationships which give rise to everyone having a voice. I spoke to the Senior School girls about this aspect of the School’s Values Statement in their assemblies this week and reminded them of the ways in which we try to foster the development of student voice through committees, voting processes and cross age programs.

​As usual, the Lowther Hall community has adapted to this week’s new reality of Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions quickly and effectively. There is now only a skeleton staff on site in Leslie Road to supervise those students who are learning at school and to maintain essential school operations.

​It can feel hard to stay positive and optimistic when high numbers of COVID-19 cases are being reported each day. As well as dealing with feelings of despondency and “zoom fatigue” we are all expending energy adapting to the new measures introduced to try to keep our community safe.

​In our current climate, every week brings new challenges and this week we are all adapting to the Premier’s announcement about the compulsory wearing of face coverings.

As I write today, we are all back in “remote” mode as our school undergoes a deep clean! I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the speed with which they have adjusted to the various changes and challenges that the start of Term 3 has already brought in its very first week!

It is hard to comprehend that 11 weeks ago we began Term 2 with everyone learning from home. Since then we have completed many hours of remote learning, transformed our school site to promote distancing and hygiene requirements, transitioned back to on site classes, adapted our sport and music programs and started to embrace our new “normal”.

One of the joys (and challenges) of the current COVID-19 constraints is that all Physical Education and Sport is having to be delivered on site at the moment.

What a joy it has been to have all the girls back on site this week. For most, being back in physical classrooms is a great relief. The majority of students managed to complete all work set during the remote learning period and have moved easily back into the rhythm of being in classes.

The sound of youthful chatter and laughter is increasing each day at Lowther Hall as the girls gradually return to Leslie Road. Now that a little more “normality” and routine has settled in, we can turn our attention to matters beyond the immediate challenges we are facing within our school gates.

​This week it has been joyous to once again hear the sound of girls in the grounds and buildings of Lowther Hall as we have welcomed our Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2, Year 12 and some Year 11 students back on site. Girls have adjusted seamlessly to the new routines of sanitising, handwashing, temperature testing and distancing and have very much enjoyed seeing each other and their teachers again.