Supporting strong pathways for HSC students after the floods

For the past 12 years, Sally Ford has been an integral part of the fabric at the Rivers Secondary College – Richmond River High Campus. During her time at the school, Sally has worked in a variety of positions and is now the Head Teacher of Technological and Applied Studies (TAS).

Sally teaches multiple HSC courses across the Technologies and Vocational Education and Training areas. She is currently teaching three HSC classes; Textiles and Design, Primary Industries - Livestock and Agriculture.

As NSW Year 12 students enter the 2022 HSC exam period, Sally reflects on the challenges she’s faced to meet the needs of her HSC students since the floods destroyed their school earlier this year.

“This year’s group of Year 12 students have been through so much in their time at school. When they were in Year 7, we had the devastating 2017 floods, then two years of droughts, and fires that affected so many in our community as well as our school,” Sally said.

“The last two years have seen a global pandemic causing local lock downs and now this year, two destructive floods in four weeks which has impacted everyone in our school community in one way or another.”

Against the odds, Sally has made it a priority to keep her students motivated and committed to their HSC journey. She credits the generosity and support of the community for helping her students stay on track.

“All of the Year 12 Textile's class lost their Major Works in the floods. The projects were stored in the Textiles storeroom on campus which was consumed by floodwater,” Sally said.

“The outpouring of support for our school and the TAS faculty has been amazing. We’ve received so much support from our local community and from across Australia for all of our subjects.

“Organisations, ex-students, and the local and broader community have made generous donations - from equipment like scissors, quick unpicks, needles, threads, and materials – and sewing machines for Textiles students – to a mobile chicken tractor and eggs to incubate (due to hatch in a week) for Agriculture students.

“A group of ex-students now at University even raised funds to purchase and donate a portable aquaponics system so my students could still conduct Agriculture experiments.”

Once the floodwaters receded and school resumed, students moved onto the Lismore High campus and into combined subject classes. “We went back to a sort of normal.”

“Since the flood, we have shared space and equipment with the Lismore campus, trying to fit in with their timetable and student needs so that Textiles students can complete their projects, Sally said.

Despite Sally herself losing 30 years of personal teaching resources, she said that she has adapted her teaching to focus on the wellbeing and motivation of students.

“Since the floods, I’ve been running a variety of activities - theory, practical and mindfulness activities of colouring and drawing - in every lesson to try to encourage students to come to class and work on what they’re able to at that time.

“Online resources have been essential for communication with students when they are unable to attend for any reason. We always try to support our students and their many and varied needs, but this year it has been essential.

“Each day has been different, and I am so proud of what the young people here have been able to achieve. I know they are leaving school with skills to succeed.”

In 2022, NESA is delivering the Flood Support program to support HSC students completing their studies this year, including for practical, performance and written exams.