ASHE welcomes back students

By Max Stainkamph

Mar 29, 2021

Smiling faces were everywhere you looked on campus at the Academy of Sport, Health and Education on Friday as the school officially welcomed back parents and families after coronavirus restrictions kept them away last year.

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A smoking ceremony and speeches were held at the Nixon St campus, while a barbecue and drinks were on offer for attendees.

ASHE manager Leonie Dwyer said it was wonderful to have everyone back.

“It's so good to see everyone in person and have face-to-face conversations and I think students needed that, but so did staff,” Mrs Dwyer said.

“Last year was remote learning and online and it wasn't successful.

“Our cohort of students are used to seeing people face-to-face with interaction and work best as a team.

“Not much schoolwork was actually completed and we focused more on everyone's wellbeing and mental health and put more time into making meals.”

She said students put together more than 400 meals a week for students and their families, as well as providing home visits and online activities and games.

Mrs Dwyer said the community connection - with the school a cooperation between Rumbalara Football Netball Club and the University of Melbourne - was the lifeblood of ASHE.

“Students and families and communities are an integral part of this program,” she said.

“If we don't have that connection with them it's very challenging . . . it's a community and a family."

This year they have taken time to get students back into the swing of things.

“Our first term has been all about relationship building, increasing students’ confidence and stabilising their mental health and wellbeing,” Mrs Dwyer said.

“A lot of work went into getting that confidence back and we'll start working on the academia and course results.

“This first term has been purely about connection and wellbeing.”