Thread by @WePublicHealth

What does a restaurant, primary school and one of Victoria’s leading galleries have in common? A panel will discuss 'pivoting industries: looking back at the past two years' - @HenryGrossek @GuyGrossi @michelestockley #GiantSteps22

@HenryGrossek is Principal of Berwick Lodge Primary School, @GuyGrossi is Chef, restaurateur & owner of Grossi Restaurants, & @michelestockley Head of Learning, National Gallery of Victoria @NGVMelbourne #GiantSteps22

@HenryGrossek thanks #GIANTSTEPS22 for the invitation to speak on behalf of the public education system.

"A story can start anywhere" - @HenryGrossek says he is going to start somewhere between the middle and the end #GIANTSTEPS22

SES = Social, Emotional, Slippage - @HenryGrossek #GIANTSTEPS22

"What we think is important in learning, may not necessarily be so", Grossek says. Gives the example of NAPLAN. While NAPLAN is still here, "if we don't have children who feel safe, heard or engage, the learning won't take place" - @HenryGrossek #GIANTSTEPS22

Schools are pivoting to all sorts of measures, such as mindfulness, pet visits to schools & collaborative projects - @HenryGrossek #GIANTSTEPS22

Seeing greater respect for the education profession - Too often the bureaucracy doesn't like what we do, when we speak up. - @HenryGrossek #GIANTSTEPS22

We are more often engaging with our families- So many families and children out there are hurting, but the resources aren't there - @HenryGrossek #GIANTSTEPS22

"You're there to help children shape their dreams" and see hope - @HenryGrossek #GIANTSTEPS22

@michelestockley @NGVMelbourne #GiantSteps22 "so much about what they do is to create meaningful engagement"

Upon reflection of past two years, @NGVMelbourne leaned very heavily into digital forms of sharing art. They have great content and community is big focus of their work - @michelestockley #GIANTSTEPS22

The digital was already there, but it was the tool that helped them deliver content, community & creativity - @michelestockley #GIANTSTEPS22

Creative arts is vital to wellbeing. Virtual programs @NGVMelbourne continue now and will moving forward - @michelestockley #GIANTSTEPS22

Eating, restaurants, sharing meals vital for social wellbeing. "Nothing was more disheartening" as seeing the impacts on social connection during pandemic & so Grossi A Casa was born - @GuyGrossi #GiantSteps22 grossiacasa.com

Pandemic heightened need for human connection, connection with family and work-life balance - they're looking at changes in their workplace, hiring more people where possible to ensure staff can have more balance between work & life - @GuyGrossi #GiantSteps22

Grossi Restaurants putting spotlight on staff wellbeing - professional development, work-life balance, reduced capacity to manage staff workload without too much stress on staff - @GuyGrossi #GiantSteps22

Moving to online education was an incredible learning curve, particularly in primary years where live interaction is a key part of learning - @HenryGrossek #GIANTSTEPS22

Incredible divide between families that did and didn't have technical know-how - @HenryGrossek #GIANTSTEPS22

Basic requirement for online learning was to deliver basic numeracy and literacy. They then looked at doing fun, live activities & webinars to engage students and staff - @HenryGrossek #GIANTSTEPS22

"How do I keep my staff moral up?" Grossek said was one of the key issues. Leadership at school made regular phone calls to staff to monitor wellbeing & check in - @HenryGrossek #GIANTSTEPS22

A small number of kids thrived with online learning, many coped, & others did not cope at all - more often than not the students that didn't cope were most vulnerable students - @HenryGrossek #GIANTSTEPS22

"Nothing will ever replace the experience of seeing artwork in real-life," but what we're moving to now is a really exciting opportunity to explore other virtual avenues for sharing - @michelestockley #GIANTSTEPS22

@GuyGrossi said there were definitely low moments during pandemic but as a leader, he said he tried to maintain upbeat at work & share hope with the staff - #GIANTSTEPS22

Sharing a positive spirit, hope and creating other opportunities for experiences was vital for getting through pandemic. Some experiences such as virtual corporate cooking shows were appreciated - @GuyGrossi #GIANTSTEPS22

@michelestockley reiterates sentiment - as a leader, important to maintain positive spirit & share the wins. Also important to look forward, no point looking back, Stockley says. #GiantSteps22

@HenryGrossek also reiterated sentiments by Stockley & Grossi but that "people feed off the leaders words & behaviour" & important to look after themselves. #GiantSteps22

Grossek said walks, getting out in nature, watching TV & being creative with home cooking helped him get through the pandemic and helped him be a better leader - @HenryGrossek #GIANTSTEPS22

Grossek said the first days back at face-to-face learning were amazing, but acknowledged there is still much work to be done with the more vulnerable children who are still suffering -@HenryGrossek #GIANTSTEPS22

The Viewpoints Podcast, hosted by @HenryGrossek -
"An entertaining, educational and informative podcast with exclusive interviews and conversations with high-profile guests." podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the…

@GuyGrossi says 'Grossi A Casa' still operates so people can continue having virtual dining experiences - #GIANTSTEPS22

grossiacasa.com

A question from the audience about preparing for future pandemic results in applause as @GuyGrossi says "I'm just a lay person, but I think we should invest in our health system" #GIANTSTEPS22
#justsaying

@HenryGrossek says we have learnt an awful lot in the past couple of years & we now have a golden opportunity to broaden the parameters for what constitutes a "good school" - #GIANTSTEPS22

"A golden opportunity to re-frame the purpose of education" - @HenryGrossek #GIANTSTEPS22

Next discussion is about wellbeing of staff - FYI @SaferCareVic has a healthcare worker wellbeing program #GiantSteps22
safercare.vic.gov.au/support-and-tr…

Biggest complaint in education is workload - broken down into worthwhile work & work that isn't - @HenryGrossek #GiantSteps22

Grossek says he tries to empower staff as much as possible to help them manage - @HenryGrossek #GiantSteps22

@michelestockley says while often she thinks about the worst things that may happen (which helps her prepare for situations), she keeps a positive outlook. Also important to be open and honest about challenges #GIANTSTEPS22

Grossek reiterates the value in being open & honest - shows the leader as "human" - #GiantSteps22

@GuyGrossi adds that it helps to involve staff with decisions and development of new systems, making them feel part of the process. #GIANTSTEPS22

Key theme from discussion - Empowering staff is important in helping them maintain wellbeing #GiantSteps22

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